Selling a smoker's house

polgara

Hi - my Mum has finally agreed that its time that she downsizes (typically just after I paid for a 5 year maintenance contract on her stair lift) and I am in the process of trying to fix/clear/clean the house where possible.

However, I'm trying to get her to stop smoking in the house and move to vaping if absolutely necessary and she is extremely resistant. She is planning to put the house on the market at a very keen price (its a 3 bedroom semi detached and she is plannning on matching the equivalent 2 bedroom on the same housing estate). This is because it does require at the very least a new bathroom, although it is almost newly decorated throughout. I do think it requires a complete rewire (except the kitchen which was done when it was fitted about 6 years ago).

Can anyone advise how much it may devalue the house by her continuing to smoke in it? I personally would be put off any such house unless it was cheap as I'd think I'd need to completely redecorate/carpet etc particularly when there are similar houses for sale on the same housing estate.

jimpix12

Depends on the level of staining on the ceilings and walls. If it were me I'd be inclined to give those a lick of paint if visible.

I don't think there is a set discount figure you will arrive at based on the inhabitant smoking.... Best bet is to see what kind of feedback the agent/interested parties offer and if they even mention it?

StumpyPumpy

According to a survey of 823 house hunters commissioned by an admittedly non-neutral source in 2013: 42% would ask for a £10,000 reduction in the asking price to cover the cost of improving the interior, while 46% said the smell of cigarette smoke would be the most likely factor which would prevent them from wanting to buy the house. http://www.sourcewire.com/news/79474/smokers-can-avoid-10-000-hit-on-house-values-

I know I would only consider a smoker's house if it was our absolute dream - a lick of paint wouldn't cut it at all. Everthing would need to be changed, any carpets left would have to go, wallpaper (if any) would need to be stripped and if a smoker smoked in a bathroom, I can smell the smoke in the grout so that would need to be done too. It simply wouldn't be worth the hassle to defumigate and the fact that we wouldn't be able to move in until it was done.

As far as you getting it cleaned though - I don't know if it would be worth the effort for you, it might be more cost effective to take the hit on the price and hope that you get a smoker interested in buying it on the cheap.

I know people will come here and say I'm exaggerating or claim that their house doesn't smell despite having a resident smoker - but trust me, it doesn't just smell, it stinks! Even the houses of people who only smoke in the garden stink of smoke, and no amount of Febreeze can change that.

SP

Sedge123

It would put me off but if the price was right then I would consider it if I thought I could paint and change carpets quickly.

kathrynha

It would totally put me off a house. The smell will be in to everything, and it would need to be totally stripped back to a blank canvas. Even the floorboards, doors, window frames and plaster absorb the smell.


Even if it was an absolute dream house I would expect the price reduction to reflect the cost of all the work required, plus the cost of accommodation whilst the work was being carried out, and even then I would think seriously about whether it was worth it

dodger1

Previous tenant was a heavy smoker. I redecorated the whole flat and had new carpets fitted throughout, within a few days of the paint drying there was no smoke related smell whatsoever.

StumpyPumpy

dodger1 wrote: »

Previous tenant was a heavy smoker. I redecorated the whole flat and had new carpets fitted throughout, within a few days of the paint drying there was no smoke related smell whatsoever.

You would have smelt it, if you'd switched on the shower and let the bathroom steam up a bit.

Jon_B_2

+1, I'd even go as far to suggest that even if it was a bargain forever home material it would be a no deal for me.

missis_amber

I bought a smokers house and couldn't believe how yellow everything was. The house needed lots of work doing to it anyway so everything was done from plastering, to new skirting and doors - pretty much everything that you can think of, including new ceilings! No trace of it now. I got the house for under market price so can't complain!

dodger1

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

You would have smelt it, if you'd switched on the shower and let the bathroom steam up a bit.

I can only speak as I find and yes the shower has been used regularly.

TheRoders

It would put me off completely unfortunately unless there was no other house like it on the market. Our neighbours house went on the market and both of them smoked. The biggest reason for it not selling was because of the smell and staining on the walls due to the smoke. IT ended up going to a developer who gutted it and is now renting it. It was on the market for over a year in in the South, that doesn't happen very often.