Third hand smoke

[Marvin Meng]

This is actually not an investment question... My family is looking for a new house (outgrew our old one). And of the houses we've looked at the two best prospects have been smoked in (one heavily). This is a non-starter for my wife especially. Does anyone know if cigarette smoke smell can be removed reasonably inexpensively and effectively? Thank you!

[Darwin Crawford]

Marvin - it can be removed, yes.  Once you clean the place (including the ducts), an ozone generator can be used to neutralize smoke.  they work really well, but usually require a few treatments.  

The last condo I bought was a smokers place, and I bought an inexpensive ozone generator off amazon.com.  You cannot be in the house while doing ozone treatments, it'll make your sinuses burn.  It took about 3-4 treatments and its done.  

Benjamin is right, all soft surface items like carpets and blinds are trash.