Smokers' houses harder to sell

Wilmington (DE) News Journal ^ | September 26, 2003 | Maureen Milford

[Gabz]

As tobacco has become less socially acceptable and home buyers are more aware of indoor air quality, houses that reek of cigarette smoke are becoming a harder sell, experts report.

"It definitely is a major turnoff," said Michael Wilson, a real estate agent with Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors in Brandywine Hundred. "Buyers immediately think about what they'll have to do to eliminate the odor. It's a real drawback and a real negative."

[Max McGarrity]

Gee. You didn't answer the question.

[Gabz]

Isn't this the same ambulance chasing, money grubbing lawyer that is trying to get rich on obesity (suing the fast food industry) lawsuits? Think he is a professor at Georgetown Law School or someplace like that.

You get the prize.

Yes and he openly brags about how he will be utilizing the tactics he perfected when suing the tobacco industry.

[Gabz]

Wood and ceramic tile is what everyone here wants, and that's what I put in my own home.

That seems to be occurring in lots of places. for all the reasons you mention.

[Vladivostok]

Of course it's a stretch, but then 20 years ago I'd never have imagined the police could set up roadblocks and stop every car for hours to see if you might have a whiff of alcohol on your breath. Even that wasn't enough, so the next step was getting the limit lowered from typically .1 to .08 to increase the arrest rate from the typical less than 1 out of 1000 stopped. So while the specific actions are apples and oranges, the mind-set behind them is not.

[Gabz]

And if you find cigarette smoke a pleasant odor, then that's definately a difference of opinion.

You are correct it is a difference of opinion. And for you to consider your opinion to be any more valid than that of someone else is the epitome of arrogance.

A simple comment that you do not care for the smell would have sufficed instead of the purposely utilized words to convey you find your opinion to be superior.

The smell of cigarette smoke can be washed away. The filth and stench of bigotry and intolerance goes to the bone.

[Rebelbase]

I inspected homes for many years as a lender's representative. The smoking issue has merit based on the residual stench of burnt tobacco.

The worst case of devaluation I ever witnessed was a smoker's house that literally burned your eyes to be inside. The walls were filthy from nicotine and the burnt tobacco odor was overwhelming. The house sold for $25,000 less that what comparable, odor free/non-dinged wall houses on the same street were selling for.

The people who bought the house painted the interior, replaced the carpets, washed the cabinets and counters....spending about $5,000 to fix the place up. They made a $20,000 profit in 6 months.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

for later

[HamiltonJay]

This has nothing to do with buying the house or not, it has to do with the fact that like it or not, a house that has been lived in by a smoker, and particularly a heavy smoker, will not sell for the same amount of money as a comparable non smoking house! And you know what else, even if the new buyer is a SMOKER THEMSELVES the price still will be lower on average for a home of a smoker!

That's reality! Reality is, no one will pay more to buy a house with tar stained walls, and smelly carpets... that's just fact. You can deny reality all day long, but its true.

I don't personally care if you smoke in your home, in fact for me I prefer you did, so I know I can get it cheaper than another house... but buying your home isn't what this is about.

Its about the statistical reality, a home of a smoker sells for less than a home for a non smoker, by and large, and the reason is simple... they tend to SMELL and they tend to be FILTHY. If you are offended by the fact that anyone with working eyes can detect the brownish tinge your once white walls have that's not my problem, and that anyone with a working nose can smell the years of smoke upon entering your front door, that's not my problem either. People pay less for dirty homes.... regardless of the reason, whether it be smoke, or dog smell or anything else.

Reality doesn't afford you an outcome to your liking.

[Orangedog]

Off to anger mgmt and sensitivity training for you.

Ye Gods! Not the sensitivity gulag!

[Gabz]

I agree the article is not really that big of a deal on the surface.

My major problem, which I was not really able to get into prior to being attacked by fellow FReepers, is who is being quoted in the article as "so-called" experts. The folks I pinged to this article are quite familiar with the names and understood what I was saying about the 'experts.'

Additionally I am very familiar with the nature of the real estate industry in Delaware, and I was looking more to bring up the faults of it and this article showed my position on that very well. Believe me, I would have posted this article if it was talking about certain types of cooking or even pet owners. It just so happened that the article was about smoking.

Had this article been about people cooking cabbage or about pet woners, I do not believe the nastiness seen on this thread would have been so prevalent.

If they bought the house as-is, there is no way they should be able to sue.

That comment brings me back to the original point I made about the so-called "experts" that is what these people do to earn a living, they find ways to attack smokers.

I do agree if the question was asked and denied that is a different story, and the buyer should have a course of action.

[Orangedog]

But will have to say I'm looking forward to the time their eagerness to throw away their neighbors' rights comes back to bite them in the butt. When that happens, and it will, I've already decided to become a liberal dictacrat so I can be in the forefront of the drive to strip them of their dignity, their freedom and their rights.

Let me know where to sign up when you do. ;) Maybe we can tax something near and dear to them to death to pay for something we like.

[Gabz]

Thank you.

[Gabz]

When that happens, and it will, I've already decided to become a liberal dictacrat so I can be in the forefront of the drive to strip them of their dignity, their freedom and their rights.

And I will be right beside you!!!!

[patton]

I always sell my houses "as is, where is." I actually insist that clause is in the contract.

Worked out ok so far - somebody comes back with a complaint, I say "caveat emptor."

[Gabz]

This isn't a "bandwagon".

Oh yes it is.

Smoking STINKS

That is your OPINION, and I disagree with it, however my opinion is just as valid as yours.

And BTW - a polite "I don't care for the smell of cigarette smoke" would make you more friends than your obnoxious shouting.

[SheLion]

That "stink and filth" most likely created a deal for you.

I had to push away for awhile. The nastiness of these posters FAR outweigh the stink from ANY cigarette.

Here's one for you:

[Gabz]

Jerk.

[Gabz]

Smokers=good
non-smokers=good
anti-smokers=evil personified

[VRWC_minion]

My major problem, which I was not really able to get into prior to being attacked by fellow FReepers, is who is being quoted in the article as "so-called" experts.

It seems your major problem is that you want the market to decide when it comes to restaurants but now when it comes to selling your home.