Selling a house with pets living there...HELP!!

[Tina B and crew]

We are going to be putting our house on the market this year...and the way the housing market is here we are hoping to come away with a good profit, at least enough for us to make a good down payment on builing a house in Virginia However, I have one concern....we have 5 cats...how in the world do we go about selling our home with 5 cats running around in it? Not to mention trying to keep the cat hair swept up....*sigh*

we have also had a problem with one of our cats urinating and defecating over the edge of the litter box and while this is in the garage it has presented an odor problem. It doesn't matter the size of the box, the one who defecates over the side aways goes too near the edge. Yes, he's been checked by a vet...he did have some issues with blood in his stool a while back, but it resolved itself and tests showed nothing. Vet concluded it was inflammatory bowel...probably due to a diet change/stress. We do have 3 covered boxes, but he won't use them...it did solve the urinating over the edge problem though (different cat...)

Has anyone else dealt with trying to put a house on the market while dealing with pet problems at the same time? I know I had a friend who had an offer on his home, but the potential buyers backed out because of allergies...I'm concerned that the fact that we have 5 cats is going to put us at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to getting the price we want. What do you say to potential buyers? I know some people are so picky about animals and allergies? Is it something we disclose up front? Or let buyers become aware of it when they view the home?

What I'm looking for is tips on how to minimize the signs that 5 cats live here...any tips on keeping stray hair to a minimum? I'm also worried about the stress on the cats, and concerned that if we use a realtor that they will be careless and let the cats escape if they show the house while we are not home.

Above all...wish us luck!! My next post will probably be about moving the cats!! LOL

[Ash]

Well, I would not use a realtor, or at least not give them the key so he could come when you're not home and let the cats slip out. I would not risk that. And if they don't run out they might still feel much more stressed with strange people entering and you and your family nowhere in sight. A realtor might also bring someone in just when the garage smells really 'ripe'.

As to your other questions ... vacuuming a lot? That's the only thing I can think of.

I would mention it in passing, when a prospective buyer comes to your door, "Hi, hello, come in, we have cats by the way, is that alright with you?" something like that. Don't present it as a problem, just as an info. If someone is allergic he will tell you soon enough.

As for the odor, if you know when someone is going to come you could clean the litterbox right then and spray some air freshener.

I wouldn't go down with the price because of the cats or because someone objects to their presence in some way. I would rather wait for someone who doesn't and is willing to pay what you're asking.

Good luck!

[Tina B and crew]

The only reason we are leaning toward using a realtor is that we have noticed the homes that are FSBO don't seem to be selling nearly as well or for as much as those listed with a realtor....plus all the headaches and legalties of selling a home...I'd rather have a realtor deal with it even if I have to give them commission..LOL...we have considered doing it ourself, but are leaning toward using a realtor. We might see if we can find someone we know personally...someone who would listen to our concerns and not show the house if we weren't home.

[Tambrey]

TinaB...I have found that a daily routine of vacuuming and sweeping has helped ALOT...and with the help of that SHE forum...I have my entire daily routine down to about 45 minutes...if uninterrupted that is!

[Traci]

I've been there Tina.

You do not have to disclose that you have cats. If you have a potential buyer who is interested, the buyer would probably ask your realtor if pets were in the home or not. That's the responsibility of the buyer, not you. The only thing you have to disclose is legalities, such as from a home inspection notes, etc.

As for what to do with them while showing your home, ask a friend or family member for help in keeping them on the days your home will be showing. It is NOT a good idea to have an open house, or any unscheduled days for showing when you have pets....disasterous. Never trust a realtor to keep doors/windows closed for the benefit of pets, and never trust whomever will be in your home when showing it.

In last case resort, ask your vet for special boarding for the days you will be showing your home. In that event, I would make arrangements well ahead of time, and do visit your kitties at the clinic often, leave specific instructions for being kept together, food/diet instructions, toys, blankets, etc, visitation schedules, etc.

As for cat hair, etc...clean as you normally would with company...most realtors will tell you if you need to do anything additionally.

[Tina B and crew]

Traci...do you feel that having them be toted off on days we show the house is worth the stress? Above and beyond that I'm not sure I have anyone who can watch them for me...only person I trust would be my daughter and she lives in a one bedroom apartment with two cats already. My vet might be able to board them, but only for a short amount of time, they share a facility with an emergency clinic and do not do boarding as a rule because they need all the kennel space they have. (remember we have 5) We feel like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place

Of course my BIL and SIL are moving out of their townhouse this summer...hubby was wondering if they would let us stay there while the house sells since they are not going to be selling anytime soon. Not sure that's an option on their part though...they may not want 5 cats in there, especially if they plan on selling anytime this year.

[Traci]

Well you could sweet-talk your BIL and SIL, that would be an ideal situation, since you could probably keep them there together for the duration or however long is necessary to show your home, pack, move, etc.

I don't care for boarding cats, but in a situation such as this, if your vet can accomodate them and provide care and safety for them, it would be an option (although last resort, as you are correct, the stress wouldn't be good for them)

Do you plan to be gone or out of your home when it is being shown? If it comes to it, you can request of your realtor that you are present (or your daughter, someone you can trust), because your cats' safety comes first. Sometimes owner and realtor can work out a situation that one room remains unshown due to special circumstances, and then by appointment only, can the potential buyer see the room in question, etc. This way, the safety of the cats is ensured, and the realtor has a clear understanding, that is it shown by appointment only. (this is why I don't suggest open houses, not good for pets)