You like to smoke; you have always smoked and now you want to sell your house.
Do you want to get the most money for your house?
Then you will have to prepare your home for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors magazine: “Smoking in a home can reduce that property’s resale value by up to 29 percent. And homebuyers who fall for a home that reeks of smoke shouldn’t assume the odor will go away as soon as the smoker moves out.”
Soot on walls require a coat of stain killing primer to kill the stain and smell BEFORE painting. That adds another coat of paint and double the labor for painting costs. Most times, carpets must be removed and floors deep-cleaned. Yes, at times a property must be totally redone to get rid of the smell, however, the return on your money can be two to three times the cost. So, if you are planning on selling your home, take the following steps and stick to the plan:
1. STOP smoking inside the house and trash cigarettes butts outside before re-entering.
2. Use a special stain killing primer like Kilz before painting all walls and trim. It is best to do one room at a time to give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.
3. Have ductwork cleaned; some companies can add a deodorizer for a fresh clean smell.
4. When possible, remove carpets and replace with wood or laminate flooring.
5. Shampoo furniture, wash drapes, clean or replace blinds, and clean all remaining surfaces with a disinfectant.
When finished, invite a non-smoking friend to let you know if it still smells of cigarettes. Remember, you are preparing your home for the next owner, not for yourself. Choose wall colors and trim that accent the best features of your home. If it sounds like a lot of work, it is! But… it is worth it. A clean freshly painted home always, always sells faster and for a higher price. To help you choose good colors, call me before starting. I love helping people make good decisions about real estate so that you can have Your Best Move…