Take It Outside! (PLEASE!)

Oh BOY!  Time to catch up with all of you!  First of all, thanks so much for commenting!   SECOND....I am a smoker myself (6-8 per day and counting downwards!) - but do NOT smoke in my house.  Most folks haven't the slightest idea I smoke, even those with the most sensitive noses, thankfully. 

I JUST HAD TO COME "CLEAN"!!!! 

Carol:  I can't stand the smell of stale smoke, how bizarre is that!  I don't like showing smoker's houses and have more than once had to tell a seller, "Look, put that thing out and don't light up in here again if you want to sell your house."  Gotta be brutal, but it works. 

Larry & Sheila:  Ditto!  Been there, done that!

Nancy:  OMG that is too funny!  She thought she would "take it with her???"  WOW!

Jane:  The agent told me that the smoker in this house got on the "smoker's have rights, too" thing.  Weird.

John & Erika:  Totally true!  Honestly, people just don't know.  I have a friend who had no idea that she was just killing her clients with her smokey clothing and breath.  When she listened and understood finally, the addiction just won't let her change her habits.  It's got to be costing her clients!

Mel:  I know smokers don't have to live in a tent - but I think it would be better if they smoked outside!  In my own experience as a smoker, it didn't matter what I did when I smoked in the house; it STUNK and no amount of open windows or carpet cleaning/painting, etc worked.  Oh and that's funny about your boy!  LOL, I still ring the doorbell when I go back home to see Mom!

Denise:  Wow, being on the market for 10 months 8 years ago - that really does tell the story, doesn't it?  Glad you were finally able to sell!

Gay:  Thank you!  I hear ya...I have lots of clients who simply will not view a home that is smokey.  Luckily, I make advance calls to listing agents to get a feel for the property before making the appointment and I always ask the question.

Claude: LOL!!!!!

Karen: Yep, agreed.  And my buyers just aren't that interested when it appears there would be a battle over the house being turned over "Serve Pro clean" after closing.  When one of the buyers is a nurse and just 3 weeks from dropping a wee one into the world, I can understand their thinking!

Jerry: Thanks for the compliment!  Pet smells are tough to take, too!

Ross:  LOL!  But didn't you know those aren't spider webs - they are structural supports! 

Rich: I'm a smoker and even I can smell it!  Now when I'm in my house and a puff of smoke comes through the window, it's such an alien odor - just doesn't belong there. 

Erica:  Oh my, been there, done that too!  Front porch puffing: Not a good thing!!!

Duane: Cat pee.  UGH.  I agree that pets and ciggies cause the worst of all odors (well, except for cooked cabbage, OY!).

John W: You gotta be kidding me - they went to all that trouble and then STILL smoked in the house?  Good grief.  What were they thinking?

Vickie N: I agree!  Problem is to stop 'em from smoking in the house once they get the cleaning done!

Vickie M: I have been totally lucky and never had to try to sell a smoker's house but once in 11 years!  Smoking is WAAAAY out of "fashion" these days, thank heavens.

Sonja: Yes, that does work, or at least help!  Especially if nobody lives there anymore who does smoke.

Stan: I've been thinking about this a lot and I am wondering if maybe the older lady who owns the home is maybe facing assisted living...that can do a lot to stop motivation to sell.  Guess we'll never know for sure.

Tammie: That just blows my mind - even as a smoker, my nose can pick up smoke on other people and in homes...can't imagine someone, even a smoker, not noticing.  Go figure!

Buki: Thanks for weighing in!  I think the house is priced somewhat fairly, even with the smoke, and I do think it might be a battle to get it cleaned.  And yes, smoke residue is bad for you too!

Oh my, I need to break for now - but I'll be back!  I am just so thrilled to have so many of you visiting my blog and commenting.  Thanks again!  Happy Turkey Day!

Ernie: Ditto that, especially when the butt bucket has been outside in the rain........ewwwwwww!

Tim, Joan & Sally: It does make you feel differently about the house...and it is hard for most buyers to get past it!

Debbie: I remember a time where I was trying to do a market analysis for some folks and we sat in the kitchen and they just lit one after the other 'til I thought I would pass out.  I had to ask them to please stop!

Claudette:  Oh wow, that's right - I forgot about casinos!  Haven't been in a long while and I bet it would bother me for sure...

Fernando: LOL!

Jeffrey:  Thanks!  Didn't know this one would be such a hit!

Michael M: You got it...unfortunately!

Matilda:  OH BARF!!!! Dirty dipes and undies.  Yep, that would make me run out as well!

Michael L:  I'm sure that can be done - wow, $3K; somehow I can't picture the seller taking that in stride; oh well!

Michael S: Totally correct; I find most young families in particular want nothing to do with a smokey home.

Barbara: EXACTLY!  As I mentioned, I am a smoker and I can tell in 2 seconds if people have smoked in their home.  As you said, it doesn't matter how "clean" you keep it, the smell is there.

Mike Leibel: I'm sure glad that I don't have that attitude - OR lack of good decision making skills!

Bill G, Kristina, Aaron & R. Owens: Yuk, yuk and yuk.  Yes and CRAZY!

#49:  I've been on showings like that...barely get the door open and we are all OUTTA there!  I will have to check out your blog!

Stephanie: I remember one listing I had where the seller had an incontinent dog and she had just basically given up on trying to control the situation.  When I listed the house, we DID get her doggie into diapers (and yes, I changed a few of them myself, LOL), but the smell was intense.  Luckily, we managed to sell to another couple - also with incontinent dogs!  What luck!

Thomas & Christianne: TOTAL bummer and a shame is right! 

Gina: I can only begin to imagine what you and hubby have come up against doing the flipping thing!  Unfortunately, my buyers aren't able to do a gut job on the house and to hire someone would be much too costly.  UGH.

Rachell:  I am so sorry you lost your Mother!  When I get to the point of trying to quit completely, I will call on you as my cheerleader! 

Again, thanks everyone for all of your comments!  Sorry it took me so long to finish up my responses, but what a busy week this has been!  Hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!

Hi Jane!!!!  How are ya?  Thanks for popping in!

Liz....EXACTLY!