Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 94 posts · 73 votes
Quick question, I know most property owners dont want smokers in thier units but has anybody actually marketed TO smokers? I ask because I have a 400sf studio unit that had a smoker who totally ruined the inside. He just died last week, the day after christmas, but the unit does not bring in enough rent to make a full rehab possible. I was thinking about marketing to a smoker so I wont have to tear the place down and start over with new flooring and walls. I will clean with TSP and Killz but this place may be beyond the point of no return. The air inside is thich with stink, the walls are yellow with square spots where pictures were hung.
Has anybody done this? I might be able to charge a premium since there could be a line of smokers wanting this unit. What am I overlooking here? The place already stinks, why not use it to my advantage?
Property Manager · Griffith, IN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 913 votes
10y
Sounds like a great idea. I've never done it myself since my units started out nice so I ban it but I can see a market for smokers. Maybe even market it below normal rent value 9but still getting your $400/m) and let them clean and paint.
Property Manager · Griffith, IN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 913 votes
10y
Sounds like a great idea. I've never done it myself since my units started out nice so I ban it but I can see a market for smokers. Maybe even market it below normal rent value 9but still getting your $400/m) and let them clean and paint.
Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 94 posts · 73 votes
10y
Thanks for the replies fellas. Instead of offering a discount on rent I'm thinking I could charge more since someone who smokes may think it's worth an extra $100/mo to not worry about breaking the rules. I dunno never been down this road before! Thanks again.
Investor · Lafayette, LA · Member since 2015 · 152 posts · 50 votes
10y
You may have just found yourself a little niche!
I bet if you placed an ad on Craigslist etc and had in the first line SMOKERS WELCOME! you would have a ton of applicants! Its actually an interesting idea to do that just to find out what the response would be!
Hillside, NJ · Member since 2015 · 148 posts · 27 votes
10y
Actually sounds like a pretty good idea, I like how your brain is thinking outside the box. Be careful though because you might just be digging your self into a bigger hole by letting the place get dirtier and dirtier. Consider the possibility that the tenant might not respect and maintain the unit since its the way it is already. This could potentially raise rehab costs higher than originally expected when you do decide to rehab it.
Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 94 posts · 73 votes
10y
@Kevin Izquierdo Thanks for the tip. I do plan to clean it up good as I would with any other renter, TSP on the walls and Killz primer, but if it still lingers with smoke smell I won't worry about it.
I will treat a smoking tenant as I would any other by giving them a nice place to live and expectations to keep the place in good order. If they smoke not a problem for me, I don't live there.
Hopefully they will stay put long term knowing there isn't anywhere else they can smoke in peace and not worry about pissing off the landlord. I'll charge a premium too cuz I'm such a nice guy, lol.
Investor · Lafayette, LA · Member since 2015 · 152 posts · 50 votes
10y
Off topic...but since I posted on this topic I am getting lots of marketing on this site aimed at smokers - nicotine gum etc. Very irritating @Brandon Turner