This is a conversation that every real estate agent is hesitant to begin with a prospective seller who is a cat person. So for all you cat lovers out there, on behalf of myself and all of my agent friends on Active Rain, this is what that conversation might sound like.
It involves Felix, or Fluffy, or whatever your adorable little fur ball's name might be.
Even a heavy smoker with a really bad head cold will have a bad reaction to a stinky litter box. When your house is for sale, if you can't get your kitty to go in the back yard, you have to scoop early and often.
Some sellers think they've taken care of the problem by putting the cat box out of the main living area - say the garage or basement. That's not a solution, because when buyers go downstairs or check out the garage - WHOO
I personally have lost a listing because I failed totally to effectively communicate what a huge turn-off Smelly Cat is to buyers. They thought I was a cat hater who didn't understand them. Au contraire! My own house has an occasionally stinky litter box, but then, it isn't for sale.
This particular house stayed on the market for over a year in one of the hottest markets DC has ever known. Agents gave it the nickname "Stinky House". It sold way below what it's market value would have been sans Fluffy's cat box.
So now I've said it. If this advice fits, please read and heed.
Very funny Patricia. You are right on. I think the hardest thing for a buyer to look past is odor. Cat people don't always notice it and it is a tough subject to bring up. "Your house smells" is rarely well received.
Ken
Karen, sometimes you have to remove sub-flooring to get the smell out!
Gary, the pet is a family member - often with the status of a middle child!
Ken, I include a chapter in my book, If They Can Smell It, We Can't Sell It, and give it to sellers whether they need it or not. That's a little better than saying "Your house stinks"!
And Russ, and others are allergic! More often there are cat rather than dog allergies, but it's hard to appreciate a house while you're grabbing for an inhaler!
Pat..one of the things I have found in my own house is to get a litter box with a large top and changeable charcoal filter...It looks more attractive,(if a litter box can be attractive!) & does wonders for the smell..I also switched over to the Arm & Hammer brand, which doesnt track out and has a great odor control.
The real key is to have a box that is cleaned regularly...This reminds me to go do mine again..My wife and I are so busy, we sometimes skip a day, but we have such a large box it can handle it...The cost about 25 bucks and the filters are about 3bucks,,,worth every penny
Audrey, it's really hard for some people to hear it - like we're criticising their pets!
Larry, not to mention the pet dander!
Kim, when you give everyone the same thing in writing, they are less likely to be offended. That's what I do.
Chris, when you put it that way, it sounds totally gross! Yikes!
Sarah, it never seems awful in my house, but I sort of know that it is. I need a friend with a good nose.
Mike, I use Arm & Hammer and a charcoal filter, and it's not nearly as bad as it would otherwise be.
Colleen, I don't think any of us like smelly house!
Jason, do you want any more? The sweet old lady I blogged about over the weekend needs homes for a few kitties.
Patricia,
You have to experience it to believe how bad it can be!!! Great post!!! Thanks, Fran
Patricia...
Did someone say Cat? :)
In my opinion Cats should be fed to Dogs. But that's just me :)
TLW...ROAR!
TLW - BAD girl BAD.....
My friends have been trying to teach their cat to use the toilet.... Yes you heard right..... But - let's just say - it isn't going so well....
(If you think Men have bad aim in the bathroom - you should see their cat!)
Okay - cat lover here. BUT, I despise litter boxes and refuse to have them in my house! I have successfully trained 2 cats to go to the door when they have to "go". Geez, it was like having a baby all over again...up every two hours to take the kitten outside, etc. But, it worked! They never run away and they only go outside to "go".
As for sellers with boxes? Must be covered, must have charcoal litter and must be cleaned twice a day. And, for pete's sake, do NOT use smelly, fruity room deodorizer to try and cover up the smell - completely nauseating! Nothing like "pineapple poop" to turn a showing around.....
Barbara Jo, the only thing worse is kitty litter and smoke combined with scented candles.
Cindy, I think it's time for me to buy my little guys a new box.
Fran, the worst ones are the boxes that are in basements or garages. Ick!
Keith & Robin, haven't run into any little tiger guys. Now that could be scary! Or stinky!
Carol, I'd take fresh cat pee over most of the scented candles I come across - especially mixed with food smells!
TLW, now creatures that go ROAR are just cats big enough to eat you!
James, I've been trying to train my little Snowball to use the loo, but he just drinks from it.
Norma, every time I hear about one of these old ladies, I feel really sorry for them. And their cats.
Kelly, you're right - that's not a wonderful first impression, although easy access is important. I think I'd ask a friend to keep the cat for a while.
Leesa, mine go out to play and come back inside to use their box. Go figure