Removing Cigarette Smoke Smell Before Selling Your Home

Many non-smoking home buyers are deterred by homes that smell like cigarette smoke. In fact, many professionals believe that homes belonging to smokers may sell for as much as 20% less than comparable properties belonging to non-smokers.

If you are a seller in this situation, there are many things you can do to make your home more appealing to buyers. Taking steps before putting your house on the market can help your home sell more quickly and for more money.

Stop Smoking Indoors

Any efforts you make to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from your property will be thwarted by continued smoking indoors. Resolve to smoke only outside your home, ideally in a location away from the windows and doors of your house. If you have friends or relatives who smoke on your property, make them aware of your new rules to ensure that all smoking activities stop inside your house.

Purge Fabrics

Fabrics absorb smells. If you’ve been smoking inside your home for a long time, your home’s carpet, upholstery, curtains, draperies and even the clothes in closets can all smell of cigarette smoke. Purging fabrics from your property can help clear the air. Now, getting rid of all fabrics may be an unrealistic goal in some cases, but even getting rid of a portion of affected items will help.

If it’s within your budget, you may decide to tear out carpeting in your home. This is sometimes easier if there is hard wood beneath the carpet, which may or may not need to be refinished. If you already have hardwood or tile floors, you may consider replacing any rugs you have. If you can, consider replacing the curtains in your home as well. If you own upholstered furniture that you’re planning to get rid of when you move out of your house, get rid of those furniture pieces before putting your house on the market.

Deodorize

Sprinkle deodorizer on your remaining carpet, upholstered furniture, curtains, blankets and clothing. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions when using commercial deodorizer. You can also use homemade deodorizer by sprinkling your fabrics with baking soda. Leave the baking soda on the fabrics overnight, then vacuum or wash the next day. Repeat as necessary.

Change Your HVAC Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC system helps to clean the air that flows through your home’s air ducts and vents. Replacing the air filter with a HEPA filter will help keep the air in your home cleaner, and may stop the spread of the smell of cigarette smoke throughout your house.

Repaint

Even your walls may have absorbed the smell of cigarette smoke over the course of the last several years. Repainting can help, especially if you use an odor blocking primer beneath fresh coats of paint.

Deep Clean Everything

Smoking leaves more than just a scent in the air. In some cases, smoking can leave a greasy stain that locks in smell and turns some surfaces a light shade of yellow. Use a de-greaser to clean parts of the home like the cabinets, windows, window sills, baseboards and other surfaces.

Remove Evidence of Smoking

Put away all ash trays and cigarettes and keep them out of sight from buyers during home showings. If you now smoke in your yard or driveway, check your favorite smoking spots to ensure that no cigarette butts or empty cartons have been left in the grass.

Be Prepared to Wait

It will take a while to get rid of smells in any house - and sometimes it simply takes a bit longer for a home to sell when it has been smoked in. While you’re waiting, do what you can to remove the odors from your property, and work to price the home competitively with your agent.

Add Incentives

Adding incentives to your property can sweeten the deal and encourage buyers to consider your property. To encourage higher bids and a faster sale, consider offering these attractive perks:

• Include the appliances
• Offer credit toward closing costs
• Be willing to close quickly

Make Desirable Home Improvements

Making smart home improvements to your property can lead to better offers. Outdoor living spaces and minor kitchen updates are both examples popular home improvements that home sellers make before putting their home on the market.

If you’re not sure which type of home improvement is right for you, talk to your agent. They can assess your property in comparison to others on the market and make suggestions.

Seek an Experienced Real Estate Agent

The best way to ensure a fast home sale is to work with an experienced agent. They will be able to give suggestions that can help you showcase the positive aspects of your home, which can lead to more interest from prospective buyers and a faster sale.