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This is a SMOKING HOUSE

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

What is a smoking home you ask? Well, as I was out to eat, I ran into a woman I know, she introduced me to her new fiance. She said he is selling his home on his own... Could I help? I sure can and set up a time to meet at his home.

 

As I arrived there was a sign on the door. It said "This is a SMOKING house." Now I would have loved to take a picture and share, but he asked me not to as I was about to. He is selling his home as a FSBO. He said he has had more agents stop by then buyers. The buyers who have looked at his house, have been rude, insulted him and pretty much hated the home.

 

In his eyes a "smoking home" is just that, a home that he smokes in. In a non smoking world, the smell was over whelming. The walls and ceiling were so yellow. A clean white spot stood out where a picture once hung and was removed. I walked through the home and sat down with the home seller. Lucky for me it was a warm day and we sat on the open porch where I could breathe a bit easier.

 

He told me of story after story, where buyers out right said his home stinks. It does. Furthermore anyone who does not smoke will think the same thing. I was not the first agent to come through. He said he "kicked out" the best. Well not all the best, I am here I told him. I got a big laugh from him which broke the ice. 

 

We spoke about values as is. We spoke about values if the home was cleaned, painted and "de-smoked". (yes i made that word up - but I like it.)

 

He would have none of  it. He was not cleaning, He was not painting and he was not going to stop smoking in his home. One thing stood out as the future Mrs. had said he was living with her in her home. In a sly manner I asked and he said he comes back here to smoke as she will not let him smoke in her home. SO he sleeps there and pays a mortgage to smoke here?

 

Just them the future Mrs. arrived. Like a ray of sunshine his mood changed, the conversation picked up. She TOLD him that he was to get this stuff out and get this home ready to sell. They could not afford paying 2 mortgages any longer and it was sell the home or they were done.

 

Feeling in the middle, there was no escape. He paused, thought and thought some more as he did not answer her. She asked my to go over my opinion of value. She asked what should be done to the house. She asked what I could sell the home for as is and cleaned up? 

 

Like a mom standing over a kid, he signed the listing agreement. He said the only reason is that "I was nice to him". That i was not rude like the others that came before me. I told it like it is, but left out any what he saw as personal attacks. 

 

They have some work to do. He bought cleaner, paint, is pulling the carpets up and put in a Air Purifier Filtration with True HEPA Filter, Odor Allergies Allergen Eliminator Cleaner They want to wait until the home is complete to start showing.

 

Wait, that is what i told him and he hated that idea. Well we have a plan, I have a listing and it will be times perfect to hit the market. As I left she thanked me for taking the time to talk to her at the restaurant. She thanked me for my patience and help. For me, I headed home to strip off these clothes and shower. I look forward to seeing the home back in it's glory again. 

 

 

Perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT message is to share with every consumer that my philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other.

 

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

Comments (32)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is not Nina Hollander and just looking at the walls you could see the soot that covers evereything from years of smoking.

Feb 12, 2018 06:06 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is what is would be wife said too Dorie Dillard 

Feb 12, 2018 06:07 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is awful Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 , the smoke gets into your hair and clothes so quickly. 

Feb 12, 2018 06:08 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Although it happens less now than a few years ago, the smoker cannot smell it and does not think there is anything wrong with it Liz and Bill Spear 

Feb 12, 2018 06:11 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I guess he saw the light through the smog and smoke!

Feb 12, 2018 07:26 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

No one ever said that Realtors don't encounter a variety of clients with an equal variety of personalities.  I have had more than a couple clients over the years that dwelled in "smoking houses."  I am never rude.  I usually present them with a couple estimates of value.  One with the property cleaned up, and another in "as is" condition.  The numbers usually do the urging for me.

Feb 12, 2018 10:03 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I should also add to my last comment, that one memorable client was a dedicated pot smoker.  It was before it was legal here in California.  I didn't wish to directly address the obvious odor in the house, so I just suggested that he needed to get the smell of the "funny stuff" out of his house.

Feb 12, 2018 10:05 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I just went through the "de-smoking" of my mom's condo.  It was horrible.  So bad your eyes stung in it.  New carpet.  Paint.  New register covers the HVAC and filter receptacle, and even new switchplate covers.  Anything that had been white, but yellowed with cigarette smoke was replaced.  It was worth it.  Was under contract in one day.

Your sellers may be anxious about waiting to show until the home is ready, but it will be worth the first impression the finished product makes on buyers.

Feb 12, 2018 11:10 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Scott,

Congratulations on getting the listing.  And I am sure you will sell it in no time once the place is desmoked.  A

Feb 12, 2018 01:53 PM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

You were not telling him anything that he had not already heard multiple times, but because you were not rude, just straightforword, timing is everything.  Sounds like the wife was the pushing kind too and it was a good thing that you were able to tell her the same things and get him to get it done.  

Feb 12, 2018 02:11 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That he did Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC 

Feb 12, 2018 02:42 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is a gentle conversation some times Myrl Jeffcoat as most smokers do not know their home stinks. I just had my first listing appoinment with the funny smell and i am not even sure how it will go as we dicuss the listing the end of this week. 

Feb 12, 2018 03:03 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is the plan Ron and Alexandra Seigel , thanks for the comment

Feb 12, 2018 03:03 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is all in the delivery Karen Feltman , thanks for the comment

Feb 12, 2018 03:04 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

SO happy your Moms sale went well. Yes I think they will be very happy when it does and we get it sold quickly and for more money he was expecting Chris Ann Cleland 

Feb 12, 2018 03:05 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Scott,
Being rude should never be an option, regardless of the circumstances.  

Feb 12, 2018 03:36 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Hi Scott Godzyk - When it comes to getting a listing, there's no smoking mirrors with you or insults either. You listen. You learn what the problems are. You advise giving the prospective sellers time to digest and make up their minds. You did a great job without being rude. Respectfully, Mr. Seller knew exactly what needed to be done, he was just waiting for the RIGHT agent and that my man, was you! Congratulations on winning a very tough listing. I hope the clean house shows well and sells quickly!

Feb 12, 2018 03:57 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Scott.

Sometimes, it's not what you say but how you say it.  I believe all the guy was looking for was a little respect and you gave it to him

Feb 13, 2018 03:08 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I can't stand to show a home like that. I hoped my breath and run out for air often.

Feb 14, 2018 06:33 PM
Bill Dean
Haggerty Team St. Louis, Mo. - Fenton, MO
William Dean - Broker, Salesperson

This reminds me of the first home we bought back in the 70's when a lot more people were smokers.   My mother in law commented " Where did they find that beautiful Honey-Colored drop ceiling in the living room, I thought it only came in white?  "  I picked up a bottle of Fantastic and sprayed a small area and she said Oh ,  it IS white!   That home had a double-fault the previous owner was also a lover of cats, 6 of them!   We also had to paint and replace carpet.  I found out years later that carpet supply stores carry a product called Smoke X that may work in mild to moderate cases of carpet stink

Feb 18, 2018 10:02 AM