Should I Buy a Smoker House?

[William McCulloch]

Hello BP!

In researching my first real estate acquisition, I came across a nice little 3/2 single family of about 1500 square feet and 15 years old. It's close to my house, nice neighborhood, and good schools and amenities. 

There's just one problem: the MLS listing says the owners smoke in the house.

This property has been on and off the market for about 18 months and I sense that it could be had at a bargain price. But how big a problem is this smoking thing? 

Is it something that can be remediated like a kitchen fire? Should I look into an ozone treatment? Clean the air ducts? New carpet/pad? Or is this one of those things that never quite goes away?

Crazier yet, what if it was left as a smoker-friendly rental?

All things being equal, this would make a decent flip or a great rental. But is it worth the trouble?

Let me know what you think!

[Saberian Younger]

I wouldn't be afraid of this house. The drywall probably needs several coats of primer/killz and you'll probably have to rip up the carpet if there is any. Next use an ozone machine. You can by them for a couple hundred bucks on amazon. It's what major hotel chains use for hard to get out odors. It basically takes the oxygen out of the air, drywall ect. With strong odors you may also need to roll the slab with killz, for dog urine ect. Then replace the flooring. I would not promote as a smoker rental though.