Thirdhand Smoke And Home Value

[Tim The Enchanter]

I bet few sensitive buyers would really consider buying and remediation. They would simply go one to the next house.

And other buyers that don't smell so good
Err, don't have such an acute sense of smell,
would figure carpet and paint, and I'm good.

Data point. We lived in a rental house for 15 years with a smoker. When checking out they noted / complained about the smoke stains spider webs etc yadda.
After we left, they replaced carpet, painted. OK, also new windows, remodeled kitchen and stuff. Refunded our deposit with interest, no charges for cleanup or damage.
I'd say normal wear and tear.

 

[RCA]

... But all our bars and cafes are smoke free and have been for years. ...

There are bars and nightclubs and there are bars and nightclubs: http://1015.com/ https://www.yelp.com/biz/1015-folsom-san-francisco-4?osq=ten+fifteen - This one is so crazy, crowded - that no one controls what is going on.

Does my daughter work there? Why? I guess she finds the whole thing exciting. Between that, forest fires up in Oregon, working on chartered fishing boats off the San Francisco Bay. her friends, as well as working in Costa Rica, Australia or wherever. But that club is definitely not good for her health. Anyway in the summer, she is typically up in Oregon.

 

[RCA]

I think you may be able to get rid of most of the smell with a strong ozone generator (cost $400-$800+). This is likely a temporary partial fix. Hotels use this --- and you know they never really get rid of the smell. Eventually dust will arise from substrate materials; dust you breath and smell.

1. You can't have anyone in the house while the ozone generator is running - as Ozone is highly toxic. Fortunately it breaks down after 30 minutes.
a) High levels of ozone will over time lead to deterioration of color, paintings and various kinds of material. There is only so much ozone you can use, without damaging surfaces.
2. You should wash all cloth materials such as blankets and rugs. Mattresses will probably have to be replaced. Couches as well.
3. You may get by with a good carpet cleaning, at least for temporarily removing the smell. But the residues are deeply embedded under the carpet and will eventually resurface. Removing the carpet is recommended.
4. Large of areas of the house will be impossible or next to impossible to deal with, other than using ozone:
a) Internals of refrigerators (underneath piping, vents, ...)
b) Internals of various appliances (wherever ventilation is possible).
c) Cabinets and crawlspaces.
d) Air ducts, heaters and air conditioners.
5. All surfaces that can be washed, should be thoroughly washed.

On a 3000 sf home, this is no easy task.

Now while you may paint over drywall, toxins will emerge slowly over time. Research has shown that they easily pass through the skin barrier and can have a particularly damaging affect on babies, toddlers and children.

OK. It's not just cigarette residues, there is Meth as well.

Recommendation:

1. Get the sellers to sign a statement that they are not smokers, have never allowed smoking in the house and have no knowledge of anyone having used meth or other drugs in the house.

2. Then after you move in, assuming you have $1000 to $10,000 to spend, get an analysis of the drywall done. If it shows that there has been recent smoking in the house, just before the last fresh coat of interior paint was applied ( or even worse meth), you are in control (Well, I would bet ...).

IMO, the real cost of removing toxic residues from a house so that the house provides a safe environment for babies, is very high. ---- Based on my experience here in Pacifica. - Seems like nothing gets done without paying a small fortune!!!!! And even then, you are lucky to find a contractor interested in doing the work - as soon as he gets time some months down the road. A good contractor anyway.

 

[TRESinc]

What percentage of appraisers are smokers? 5-10%

where did this statistic come from? i don't recall being polled about smoking as an appraiser.

do you read what you write??? there are no concrete facts, everything is "could" or "can" or "may" - not a single "does".

The opening post mentioned a survey that reported that home prices could decrease by up to 29%. A more detailed report of the survey is in http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...ondhand-smoke-resale-value-real-estate-agents.

"Event One is a smallish but nonetheless interesting study of real estate agents in Ontario, Canada, that suggests smoking could reduce a home's resale value by thousands of dollars. Real estate agents told pollsters commissioned by pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer Canada that having a regular smoker in a home can reduce its value by 20 percent, on average.

About 44 percent of the agents surveyed said smoking will reduce a home's value by some measure. Of these, one-third said the reduced value may range from 10 to 19 percent; another one-third said it could lower the value by 20 to 29 percent.

That is, of course, if the homes find buyers at all. A whopping 88 percent of the agents said that in any case, it's more difficult to sell homes where the residents are smokers.

Calculating such financial effects is a tricky thing, according to Naperville, Ill., appraiser Chip Wagner, who agreed that smells of any kind — pets, dampness, even a homeowner's profound affection for garlic — certainly could affect its sale price, though he said there's no solid formula for appraisers to follow regarding those conditions.

i am suddenly having flashbacks to an episode of south park with rob reiner as the lead "guest" star...

 

[TRESinc]

double

 

[glenn walker]

I can't take it anymore LOL

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I can't take it anymore LOL

Go have a nice relaxing smoke.

 

[glenn walker]

Go have a nice relaxing smoke.

Thankfully I am not sensitive because my next door neighbor smokes cigarettes by day and pot at night, and the biker across the street smokes and binge drinks , one advantage to living in a diversified neighborhood, no room for sensitivity you learn to live with it or you die LOL

 

[Meandering]

one advantage to living in a diversified neighborhood, no room for sensitivity you learn to live with it or you die LOL

I'm always amazed at people who are 'allergic" to cigarette smoke, yet tolerate exhaust fumes from their own cars, and other cars driving past them.

Dang, what don't these "smokes" have in common????

.

 

[TRESinc]

I'm always amazed at people who are 'allergic" to cigarette smoke, yet tolerate exhaust fumes from their own cars, and other cars driving past them.

Dang, what don't these "smokes" have in common????

.

the ability to preach to others about how superior one thinks they are