Flipping a smokers property?

[Lacee Beitler]

Hi everyone, We are looking at a 4 unit property. It's a great deal, great area, and would be great cash flow, but there has been a smoker in there for 60 years (owner). His unit is very smoke damaged, and 2/3 other units have smokers in them, but aren't as smoke damaged. . What's your experience with turning over severe smoke- damaged properties? I know paint/carpet is a must, but we have no experience with smoke units, as we don't allow smokers in our properties. The walls are covered in wood paneling, so I'm not sure if removing that would greatly help with the smell? Not sure what we are looking at as far as hidden cleaning costs. Thanks in advance!

[Evan Wiesner]

@Lacee Beitler Well you just found a guaranteed reason to replace all the flooring, cabs, vanities, and paint the entire house! Congratulations! (he says with a mild snicker)

I actually don't mind those properties, but you will probably need to do all of the above. And once all the flooring is out take a really good peak at the interior and see if that eliminated some of the smell or if it's in the floorboards/slab. If it's on a slab foundation be prepared to use a lot of kilz and you may have to use a machine called an ozonator as well. 

We've purchased so many properties like that, between smoking and pets, that it's a little routine. The trick is to be patient and overdue it a little. Just because you think it smells a little better doesn't mean it's gone. If you smell it at all before you start painting again, it will come back. If you're patient you can get rid of it all but you're probably doing all the surfaces to accomplish that.

Good luck!