Published on August 28, 2018

Is it Worth it to Buy a Home if the Owners Smoked Indoors?

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You found your dream home! It’s perfect. It has all the space you need and all the upgrades you have been looking for. And the neighborhood? It is a dream. There is room to roam, room to play, and room to grow. This house has everything…including the lovely lingering smell of stale cigarette smoke. So, the question becomes should you or should you not put in an offer. Here at A Mother’s Touch Movers, we have had the pleasure of assisting people with their moves for 30 years now. We are Melbourne, FL’s premier movers and over the years we have seen it all. If you are wondering whether or not it’s a good idea to purchase the home where the owners smoked inside, read on for some insight. We hope this will help you make an informed decision.

According to Realtor.com, resale value on homes owned by smokers is diminished by around 29%. This could mean that you might get a steal of a deal, but, is it worth it? The smell of cigarette smoke has a way of lingering long after residents are gone. What you may not know is that this smell is more than just an unsavory odor, it is also leftover residue from the smoke. This is called Third Hand Smoke, THS, and it can have an impact on your health. This residue can build up on walls, flooring, furniture, curtains, and drapes. In fact, a study found that up to 2 months AFTER smokers had moved out of their homes and the homes were prepped for new residents, remnants of THS were still identifiable on surface areas and in remaining dust within the home. This suggests that the effects of third-hand smoke are still significant enough to make you reconsider purchasing a home formerly owned by a smoker.

Now that you know what you could be getting into, here are some tips to help keep your family safe should you go forward with the sale of the home. At the very least, the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation suggests that you begin by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings with hot water and detergent to remove any remaining nicotine and other contaminants. You repeat this process 2 to 3 times. Once areas are cleaned, repaint the walls using 2 to 3 coats of fresh paint. All flooring, including padding, should be replaced as well as any fabrics left in the home such as drapes and curtains. It does not end there. Replace all air filters and clean the vents. You even want to go a step further and make sure the evaporator coils of the AC unit and air ducts are thoroughly cleaned. If you aren’t sure how to do this, call in an expert HVAC company to assist you. These are powerful steps. Take them. Once you are cleaned up and ready to move in, a good indoor air filtration system is a wise move.

No one says you cannot buy a home once owned by a smoker. You just need to take extra steps to make sure the home is thoroughly cleaned and prepared before you move in. While we cannot help you make this decision, we can assist you with any or all parts of your Melbourne, FL move. Contact our offices today and let’s get you started!

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A Mother’s Touch Movers is Melbourne’s trusted source for all their moving needs. We are a family-owned and operated moving company in Melbourne, FL with more than 30 years of moving experience.

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