Thirdhand Smoke And Home Value

[jay trotta]

Service Master is one of the Oldest Company's that provides "smoke clean up" from Fire Damage; we used them for a good period of time when I was involved in the Fire / Loss Business over 20 years ago.
Good Luck in your area

 

[RCA]

I think you're a little light there in your percentages Bert

2 of the 4 closest appraisers I personally know are smokers

Each time I take my CE (live classes every 2 yrs) there a lot more than "5-10%" of the class outside during breaks puffing away

(FTR I am not a smoker - the occasional cigar a few times a year, that's all)

I was about to add that outside of California, in fact outside of the Silicon Valley, the percentage is higher. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/osh/state-fact-sheets/index.htm?s_cid=osh-stu-home-spotlight-003

Also, with the advent of E-Cigarettes, smoking has increased - unfortunately. I'd say we almost had it licked - and now the scourge is back upon us again. The new generation doesn't understand ....

 

[Renee Healion]

They understand.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

"E-cigs" do not produce smoke, they produce vapor, and it does not generally stink, or leave residue.
My favorite is strawberry and banana, smells good.
I would not say vaping is good for you, but much less bad than smoking cigs.
Since they can contain nicotine, it becomes relatively easy to quit the cigs.

 

[glenn walker]

Deleted.

 

[Meandering]

Agents have disclosed in listings when there is significant residue from smoking. They don't want to hear blistering feedback from other agents who have not been warned. In these cases, the tars or oils, whatever it is that covers the interior surfaces is orangey, sticky, very smelly.

Actually that sticky-oily stuff on the surface is spray on grease from cooking, that traps smoke, dust, and other airborne crap and sticks it to the walls, windows and ceilings. Smoke on it's own, leaves a dingy, yet dry stain. But that oily stuff is most definitely spray on grease, and oil from deep fat frying.

I guess every home occupied before the late 1980s should be bulldozed, because cigarettes had TV commercials and newspaper advertisements, and people smoked in bars and restaurants. I remember as a kid, people smoking everywhere; grocery stores, movie theaters, school. I guess the entire population must have been exposed to second hand smoke, if it was alive before 1985.

That's it, bulldoze it all and start over again.

Meanwhile, someone should be testing those spray on grease products.



.

 

[J Grant]

If someone really wanted to know for a subject assignment, best source would be talk to many area RE agents, if they've sold long enough they've listed a few "smoker homes"... if the smell is strong enough to be an issue, it's more than getting rid of odor and Killz/paint the walls ( though in mild cases that may be enough, the flooring , drywall and window screens /coverings etc may need removal and then placement. In some markets those properties may appeal mainly to property flippers who buy at a discount anyway.

Imo 30% sounds steep but possible...I'd guesstimate 20% range, but best source would be RE agents for the particular area .

 

[Mark K]

,

That's it, bulldoze it all and start over again.


.

This is the only sensible and most obvious solution.

A smoker's house can NEVER be cleaned sufficiently for the true fanatic, an anti-smoking zealot.

 

[ucbruin]

How many agent interviews would be considered the minimal number needed to support an adjustment and/or no adjustment let alone the %/$ adjustment?

 

[J Grant]

How many agent interviews would be considered the minimal number needed to support an adjustment and/or no adjustment let alone the %/$ adjustment?

That would depend... two agents who each sold /listed or showed several smoker homes recently in the area and had good feedback that might be enough...three is often considered a workable number but more interviews gets more information, how much time do you have and what do you feel you need. .10 interviews might be needed but that is very time consuming and when the information starts to over lap, redundant.

5 agents who had good feedback would suffice imo...but may need to contact more agents to reach the 5 with feedback Email works many agents prefer it.