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Smokers in a House on the Market

By Jenny Loos

Home Stager with JenJen's Home Staging

June 08, 2011 12:42 AM

Do you have smokers in the family? Does your home smell smoky and musty? Here are some tips to solve that problem.

1. Stop smoking in the house, immediately

2. Professionally clean your carpets, drapes, and furniture

3. Wash the walls with a mixture of baking soda and bleach (easy on the bleach)

4. Spray Fabreze on furniture and carpets daily - I recommend Fabreze because it doesn't cover up the odor, it eliminates it

5. Do not use scented candles or any fragrance. This will only make the smoky smell sweet

6. Open the windows for a few days and let the house air out.

7. Stop smoking in the house, immediately

If the odor persists it may be necessary to paint the walls but if you follow the tips above your home should be fresh in a few days.

Good luck! Contact a Home Stager for more tips on how to stage your home for a fast sale!

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Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

Clean all bedding and linens including towels AFTER you stop smoking in the house....fabric is the culprit with retaining the smell.....my eyes burn when I am in the bathroom where someone has smoked.....its the towels and bath mat!!!! Smoke falls DOWN!

Jun 08, 2011 12:45 AM

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA

Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Good stuff, Jenny. I run into this from time to time and this is good advice. I will definitely bookmark for future use!! Keep posting.

Jun 08, 2011 12:52 AM

Tom Bailey

Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Great post. You are right on the money with your tips. I will say there is one problem with the tips. That stop smoking tip is easier said than done. Do you have any thoughts if the owners do not want to quit?

Jun 08, 2011 12:59 AM

Jenny Loos

JenJen's Home Staging - Dallas, TX

Tom, I didn't say the seller had to quit smoking, just quit smoking in the house.

Jun 08, 2011 02:03 AM

Marco Giancola

Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL

Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hey Jenny, good advice. Any tips for a seller that "cheats" and smokes in the house:) I told her she was just "cheating" her way out of a potential sale. Even great house become unattractive by that smell.

Jul 06, 2011 06:31 AM

Marco, they can use the FaBreeze outlet plugs. As I said, I like Fabreeze because it doesn't just mask the odor, it eliminates it. She needs to put one in every room and two in large rooms. I suggest she put them out of site if possible. We wouldn't want the buyer to think there's a problem with odor in the house when they see them in every room.

Best advice, as you already know, STOP SMOKING IN THE HOUSE! ha!

Jul 07, 2011 12:58 AM

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Jenny Loos

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