Fresh Air Sells

Up in Smoke

Several days ago I was out with clients showing an attractive looking colonial home.  The moment we opened the door the smell of smoke smacked me and my client right in face.  Other than a moment of nostalgia, reminiscing of my grandparents old home, my clients started speaking funny without breathing through their noses and began racing through the home.  Not even attempting the second floor, we were out of the home in less than 5 minutes. 

10 years ago the smell of cigarette smoke was commonplace as you walked into a restaurant, bar, or home.  Today, other than the local hole in the wall bar, smoke is a smell of the past!  The days of coming home smelling like you smoked a pack of cigarettes are limited!

With all the laws prohibiting smoking in public places, it almost seems as if the potency of cigarette smoke has strengthened exponentially, especially for buyers in a buyers market.

What to do?

Smoke gets into everything but can be cured.  If your a buyer and find a home you love but smells of smoke, plan on priming all the walls and pulling up all carpets.  I actually had to put on 2 coats of primer prior to painting my walls in my first house. The great thing is, you'll mostly get the home at a discount, because major of buyers don't want to deal with this curable problem. 

If your a seller if you can paint great, if not hears a couple things you can do:

1) Wash Everything - Don't forget curtains, floors, baseboards, walls, clothes, furniture, change light bulbs and even wash your pets. 

2) Air Purification Machines - There are several on the market that will help absorb the smoke in a matter of days.  Its not perfect but does help.

3) After researching several websites (www.howtodothings.com, www.helium.com, www.getridofthings.com, www.howtogetridofstuff.com) it seems that baking soda, vinegar, orange peels, and charcoal are your friends when it comes to removing the smell of smoke.  There's definitely some other wacky ways so check out those links.

4) Open your Windows - Its simple, but its effective

5) Replace filters and get duct work cleaned - Its another service that you might forget.

What not to do

Don't use heavy scented candles and sprays!  Everyone is different when it comes to smell.  Some love it, some despise it. There are some products on the market that do a better job than others, but stay away from those heavy lavenders!  

Bottom Line:  Don't let your house go up in smoke!