Owner Requests to Disclose that Owners Smoke
You are listing a home and your client smokes inside the house, would you disclose this fact in the listing? Why or why not?
"Owner Requests to Disclose that Owners Smoke"
This is a rare occurrence in our MLS listings, as far as I can recall. I just saw it.
And with no intended offense to those of you who smoke, smoking is, for many buyers, the kiss (or is it smell?) goodbye for a house sale.
We don't see it often disclosed in the MLS. And that's too bad, since it might save some buyers the trouble of seeing a home where smoking is an issue. This comment is in the Confidential Remarks, not the ones visible to the public.
Some sellers who smoke make attempts to minimize the smell - open windows, scented candles, potpourri and such. And some might do the majority of their smoking outside. But anyone sensitive to the smell of cigarettes generally isn't fooled. I suppose it's better than the house reeking of smoke.
I can't think of a single buyer that I've taken to a smokey house that has not commented negatively.
Many simply turn around and walk out the door. There have been a few homes when you could smell the smoke even before opening the door! One buyer said "forget it" before we even went in.
Obviously there are personal preferences, and some buyers might be willing to overlook the smell, if it's minimal. But that seems rare.
And there are supposedly remedies. But in a bad situation, repainting discolored walls, re-carpeting, removing wallpaper, and more to get rid of the cigarette smell can get costly and might not even entirely rid the house of the smell.
I'm not sure there is any guarantee of being cigarette smell-free if the smoking has been going on for many years.
This particular home in the MLS is one I would consider showing to my new clients, given their criteria. I'll let them know the situation so they can decide. I suspect I know the answer. But I'm glad to know in advance!
What say you?
Should cigarette smoking in a house be disclosed up front?
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