Quit Smoking to Sell your House

According to a recent survey of 2,000 homeowners the No. 1 turnoff for prospective homebuyers is the smell of cigarettes. After the smell of stale smoke, homeowners said their biggest home-shopping turnoffs included stained carpets, piles of junk, pet smells and a dirty bathroom.  Besides smells and stains, homebuyers said clutter and junk were huge turnoffs. That means opening the house up, letting light in and getting rid of knickknacks, photos and kitsch. Sellers should  begin packing non-essential items when the house is listed. A POD or storage facility is a good option. It makes things easier and less stressful later on — especially if the buyer wants a fast closing. 

According to the survey, 63 percent of men say cigarette smell would be a deal breaker, while only 57 percent of women report that their top turnoff would nix a sale. And what is important to women is not necessarily what’s important to men. For example, of the respondents who ranked “tiny closets/storage space” as their No. 1 turnoff, nearly 67 percent were women, as compared to 33 percent of men. For those who ranked “a small yard” as their biggest turnoff, over 61 percent were men compared to just 39 percent of women. Studies show that women tend to guide the decision-making process. Usually, men are more concerned about what their wife thinks and accommodating them or what is believed to be best for the family.

Sellers need to make their homes smell inviting, but sellers have to be careful not to overdo it. If buyers see plug-ins or there are too many candles in the house, it raises questions about what you’re trying to hide. Stains and smells — whether caused by pets or years of smoking — can usually be addressed through a professional cleaning or painting. Products such as Kilz and ZorbX can also remove strong odors, including musty smells caused by mold and cigarettes. For less serious problems, a UV flashlight can locate the exact source of stains and bad smells from animals.

–From Money MSN