When you enter someone's home for the first time, what do you typically notice first?

The smell.

And then, their book collection, where visible.

How clean the place is.

odor, if any

Whether or not there is a pile of shoes by the door, so that I know if mine should come off.

@Mr_M – Me too. @laureth – Then I look to see if they have books.

Neatness
Smell
Books, trinkets, pictures, anything that makes a house a home.

Smell
Cleanliness
Organization

I notice if it is cluttered and then look for pictures.

Same as @VzzBzz.

I also check to see if they have a cat as I am deathly allergic.

I guess I better get rid of that household odor then,haha

You guys would probably have a good first impression of my house. It smells like cinnamon (I buy cinnamon sticks and leave them behind pictures and furniture all around the house. And I have a hallway filled with books.

Smell, how tidy it is (or not) and then I check out the decor.

The Sofa

@petethepothead – From you, I would have assumed strawberry incense. Or patchouli! ;)

@laureth & @petethepothead – I would have gone with Nag Champa if I were to guess. But I like the cinnamon stick idea and may try it myself.

@fireside: I forgot about Nag Champa! You win!

smell

The décor.

Sure the smell, and then the furniture. people that keep the clear plastic covers on their couches really don’t like guests and then of course, the kitchen. I also keep an eye out for low doorways.

Color or absence of it. On a conscious level. But SCORE to the people who said smell.
Nothing else can compete.

Definitely smell, then if it’s messy or not, then the decor.