Smoking in a home can significantly affect its resale value. Probably by about 5%, but some studies say more. There was a study done in 2013 that suggested the price lowering could be as high as 30%. For a $500,000 home, this is a lot of money. For some buyers, this is a serious issue, and they will walk right out of a home if they notice a smoke smell (of course, strong cooking and pet smells are also bad).
🔥 Reasons for the Devaluation:
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Odour: Cigarette smoke smell is extremely hard to remove, especially from porous surfaces like carpets, drapes, drywall, and HVAC systems.
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Staining: Nicotine can yellow walls, ceilings, and fixtures.
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Buyer’s Perception: Many buyers view smoking as a health risk or simply find it unpleasant, which narrows the pool of interested buyers.
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Renovation Costs: Buyers often factor in the cost of repainting, replacing flooring, and deep cleaning when they consider making an offer.
🧹 Typical Costs for Remediation:
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Deep cleaning: $1,000–$3,000+
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Repainting: $1,500–$5,000
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Replacing carpet and flooring: $3,000–$10,000+
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HVAC cleaning: $500
If you’re listing a home that has been smoked in, addressing the smell and cosmetic damage up front can make a big difference in saleability and price. Smell is a subjective thing and affects different people in different ways, but it is important to address. Talk to your listing agent for ways to get the home ready for sale.
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