Hellobee Boards Topic: Buying a house that smells like smoke?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Buying a house that smells like smoke? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 20:12:18 +0000 charmed on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060373 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:33:04 +0000 charmed 2060373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The previous owners of our house smoked, and the whole house reeked like smoke and there were nicotine stains on the walls/ceilings. We painted all the walls and ceilings, (used Killz primer so the nicotine stains and smell wouldn't seep through), pulled up carpet, and scrubbed everything. The kitchen cabinets still smelled like smoke until we painted them too. It was a TON of work, but we got a great deal on the house and had time to do everything (except the kitchen) before we moved in. Now you would never know that smokers used to live in the house, and when we sell the house we'll make a great profit. LuLu Mom on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060358 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:25:49 +0000 LuLu Mom 2060358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My sister just bought a house from very heavy smokers, however they pretty much gutted the entire thing and the walls they didn't they spent the money on the highest quality of paint, and they ripped up all the flooring. Not going to lie, even after all that work in some rooms I can still smell it even though she says it is gone/doesn't notice it. I wouldn't do it for this reason. autumnlove on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060347 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:22:48 +0000 autumnlove 2060347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't think it is a deal breaker if you can renovate before you move in. Janet on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060344 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:20:01 +0000 Janet 2060344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My mom bought a condo previously owned by smokers. The smoke was absolutely awful. The professional smoke removal co would have cost 20K. We did a ton I'd research. Basically we found a contractor who removed all carpets and washed the walls really well - really well - before reprinting. There is no smoke smell left , and I am very sensitive to any smoke smell. photojane on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060329 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 09:09:51 +0000 photojane 2060329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You can absolutely remove the smell. I wouldn't trust an opinion unless someone has actually tried it. :wink: Our home was built in the 80's and the previous owners had smoked in it since they moved in. The house was considerably more affordable due to the smell, so it was worth it to us. We cleaned and painted, which we would've done regardless of the smell, and replaced the carpet upstairs (wood & tile downstairs). The smell is completely gone. We have lived here a year and a half with no issues. I'd do it again. ShootingStar on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060218 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:56:52 +0000 ShootingStar 2060218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Total deal breaker for me. I'm really sensitive to it and I have asthma, and DS seems like he's going to get my asthma (already on 2 inhalers regularly). Plus I feel like all the chemicals and nasty stuff from cigarettes are really hard to get rid of and that they'd still be dangerous even if you couldn't smell it any more. blackbird on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060185 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 06:50:55 +0000 blackbird 2060185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My parents used to smoke in their house and it's been maybe 10 years since they do? But since *they* smoke, the house still smells, IMO. I don't think you can ever really get the stench out. lemondrop on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060162 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 02:25:39 +0000 lemondrop 2060162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My parents did, and my mom is super sensitive to smoke- they luckily didn't have to move in until the work was done and it wasn't bad afterwards. They got the house for way cheaper than it should have been, which took care of the costs to fix it up. StbHisMrs on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060148 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:10:13 +0000 StbHisMrs 2060148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The home my parents just bought was smoked in, they didn't realize until after they moved in. You can call a restoration company that will bring in some equipment to remove the residue, seal the walls, and you can repaint, it's spendy. They're replacing all the carpet, then they'll see if they can still smell it. mrsjyw on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060106 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 23:36:51 +0000 mrsjyw 2060106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Deal breaker! sarac on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060097 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 23:23:12 +0000 sarac 2060097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Only if it was cheap enough to offset the cost of fixing the issue, and I felt like putting in the effort. It would have to be a pretty great house. macintosh on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060089 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 23:16:13 +0000 macintosh 2060089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I didn't realize the former owner smoked when I bought my house. The house had a musty smell, but I chalked it up to old carpet. I found out about the smoking from my neighbor, then noticed some areas of yellowing (window shades). We were pulling up the carpeting anyway and it hasn't been an issue since that was removed, I hate smoke, so it would definitely bother me if it lingered. Now my grandma's house, that would have been a different story. That would have taken a lot of work. Torchwood on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2060053 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 22:28:00 +0000 Torchwood 2060053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Deal breaker for sure. DH grew up in a home with multiple smokers and the smell makes him sick. He's also had nicotine poisoning before (note- if you work in a field cutting tobacco, don't take a hot shower afterwards), so that probably contributes to it. But we couldn't ever risk not being able to get the smell out. Mrs. Jacks on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059938 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:25:08 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2059938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We wouldn't buy one unless we were taking it down to studs. sunny on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059908 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:05:02 +0000 sunny 2059908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would if I had the time and money to rip out the carpets, repaint with some smell sealant and generally get rid of everything that might be smelly. I would take that cost into account when making an offer. MOMTOLITTLEB on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059899 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:56:45 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2059899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We're home shopping too and looked at one house that smelled pretty badly of smoke. It was a total deal breaker for me, I couldn't even really focus on the positive points of the house, too distracting. I just wouldn't take the chance that we could fix it. twodoghouse on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059883 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:33:08 +0000 twodoghouse 2059883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Astro Bee: I read him this thread and I think it sufficiently freaked him out. To everyone else - thanks for the input! We like the house but I don't think it's our dream house and wouldn't be worth the time, energy, money to make sure the smoke smell was gone. I might feel differently if we didn't have kids, but I'd hate to expose them to it. avivoca on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059851 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:58:55 +0000 avivoca 2059851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If it's THE house, maybe. Otherwise, no. I'm sensitive to cigarette smoke, so if it was my forever house or the neighborhood I wanted, I would consider it. I'd ask for the home to be professionally deep cleaned. loveisstrange on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059847 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:55:08 +0000 loveisstrange 2059847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Eh. Id be willing to put paint and flooring into it if I really loved the house. Only if I really loved it, though. Kimberlybee on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059841 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:44:11 +0000 Kimberlybee 2059841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I got really sick and developed the worst allergies I have ever known after living in an older, renovated home. The previous owners were filthy and it wreaked of cigarette smell. It was renovated from top to bottom: roof, new floors, new paint and looked great after the Reno. The cigarette smell faded but I think it still had enough germs left behind to get us sick. I eventually got better though. So yes, it would be a deal breaker if it's a terrible smoke smell. Edit to add: I was present to supervise and help with the renovations so that's how I became sick, I think. If you have are not present during the Reno project, I would think you'll be okay. Synchronicity on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059839 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:42:41 +0000 Synchronicity 2059839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The only way it would not be a dealbreaker for me is if we were getting a fantastic deal on it, and we didn't have to move in right away because I would want all of the work done before we moved our stuff in. BSB on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059833 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:38:21 +0000 BSB 2059833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm not a homeowner but I do watch a lot of HGTV. ;) and I think they can seal the walls and get rid that smoke smell. I would probably talk to a professional before I make an offer, though. I would stil consider the house. Reese on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059831 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:36:54 +0000 Reese 2059831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if you could afford to make the changes that @oliviaoblivia: mentioned. oliviaoblivia on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059830 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:34:59 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2059830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My uncle bought a house that reeked of smoke. They repainted, cleaned the ducts, pulled carpet, etc. They easily saved $75k on the market price because the house stunk. It got them into a better neighborhood than they could otherwise afford. yoursilverlining on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059829 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:34:23 +0000 yoursilverlining 2059829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It would be a dealbreaker for me, unless it was super low priced and amazing in every single other way. Smoke permeates so much, and gets EVERYWHERE. Even if people claim they only smoke outside, or in one room, it will get into closets, just everywhere. I know when my great-aunt died (smoker) and we had to ready her house for sale, just getting the house ready for market meant tearing out all the carpeting, several coats of new paint, and putting down all new flooring. Considerable $$ if you have to do it yourself after you buy. Astro Bee on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059828 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:33:42 +0000 Astro Bee 2059828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Maybe ask him if he understands the magnitude of the work involved to ensure that all of the smell is gone. Also, when I mentioned that all rooms would have to be repainted, I also meant ceilings (perhaps even more critical than the walls). It's a significant level of effort or cost, if you don't plan in doing it yourself. Unless he doesn't mind the smell of smoke? Perhaps also mention that it's known to be a potential factor in SIDS. Tanjowen on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059826 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:26:54 +0000 Tanjowen 2059826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Deal breaker. I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke and was told it gets into the insulation of the home too. twodoghouse on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059824 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:25:13 +0000 twodoghouse 2059824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Astro Bee: @Anya: Yeah, I think it is a deal breaker for me too. DH isn't sure. :bummed: lawbee11 on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059822 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:24:43 +0000 lawbee11 2059822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yeah, deal breaker Bao on "Buying a house that smells like smoke?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-house-that-smells-like-smoke#post-2059821 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:24:15 +0000 Bao 2059821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Deal breaker. Huge bummer.