Selling A Smoker's House

Selling a smoker’s house can be extremely difficult, unless you take serious remedial measures before the house is listed.

You should be aware that selling a smoker’s house can be extremely difficult, unless you take serious remedial measures. The issues are more complicated than the lingering stale tobacco odor that smokers may not notice, and the sense non-smokers may have that the house isn’t clean, although you’ve been diligent in maintaining it. For many people who are sensitive or allergic to tobacco, there are health concerns, too. After one whiff of tobacco, many buyers will refuse to tour a house, much less make an offer. Smart selling requires that you treat all sources of tobacco odor before you list.

There are four basic principles for removing any odor: remove the source, clean all surfaces, use sealants to cover and isolate hard surfaces, where needed, and neutralize any remaining odor. Removing traces of tobacco smoke and its residue can be difficult (and expensive) because smoke particles can be as small as .001% of the width of a human hair. In a smoker’s house, they travel literally everywhere, especially when smoking has persisted for years.  Some things can be cleaned to remove the nicotine film, but others like carpet and upholstered furniture might need to be replaced, if cleaning isn’t successful.

There are local companies that specialize in odor removal, and many provide a free initial consultation and estimate. If you tackle the job yourself, do it in stages. Begin by identifying things that you can attempt to clean and those that definitely need to be replaced, and remove them right away. The cleaning process must include every square inch of the house, starting with all hard surfaces such as ceilings, walls, trim, blinds, floors and fixtures. Don’t forget the ductwork and all components of heating and air conditioning systems, even the inside of the chimney and the attic. Clean all porous surfaces, such as carpet, fabric window treatments, wallpaper and upholstered furniture. All personal belongings will need to be cleaned too, because the tobacco residue is everywhere. Do your homework and be sure to use the right method and cleaner for each job. After cleaning, there could be lingering odor that must be neutralized through chemical or mechanical means. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Masking tobacco odor with sprays or room deodorizers doesn’t work.

Smart Selling Tip:
Selling a smoker’s house is very difficult unless serious remedial measures are taken. Confront the problem directly before the house is listed.