Unique situation with selling house

[Weatherguy]

Thanks to all. I really appreciate the excellent insight and the varying advice. I'm connected with rescue groups so I probably could find temporary shelter at the various places while I do everything it takes to market the house. I have enough saved that I could offer the shelters good compensation. Fortunately, I have no carpets so at least that's not a problem.

You all are correct about the smell. I can tell if one dog, or one cat lives in a house. No way to get around it no matter how clean the house seems.

Fortunately, I'm not in a great hurry so will plan this out carefully.

Thanks again!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Do Missouri Realtors often leave homes unlocked? And this is OK there?

The good ones don't of course. But you have no control over who is showing your house. I have had showings where the agent LEFT DOORS OPEN. If *I* have a pet that I love, there is no way in heck that I would even CONSIDER allowing some idiot into my house that is going to leave the door open. I don't care about it being unsecured because in the Missouri Ozarks, nobody is going to mess with your house. But the idea of losing a beloved pet because of some moron is not something I am willing to deal with.

And just so you know. I had a house on the market back in 2008 and the ONLY offer I got on it was from a couple who toured the property while I was present. Again, the real estate agent was so incredibly lame that she did not even TRY to sell the property. You cannot trust ANYONE to do a good job in this day and age, and if you think you can you are seriously mistaken. Any home owner must take control, as much as possible, of the entire process. Otherwise you ware at the mercy of incompetent fools.

Of course, where you live this might not be a problem. But I still would not trust anyone to do a good job. That is just reality in the 21st century, I'm afraid.

20yrsinBranson

[HookTheBrotherUp]

'Had nothing to do this morning, eh Malvie?

I can smell if a cat is around within twenty feet of the house. No matter what you do inside, the cats will leave their scent outdoors. I agree, target other cat owners; too many cats, or an odor that is too repulsive may chase away prospective home buyers who are not cat people. I also agree... you should get two agents working for you.

[cheryjohns]

I have a cat - and I can't smell it. (It's a female, so no spraying, and I am finicky about that litter box - total fresh litter every 48 hours - I have GOT to get that cat genie). I have shown houses that reeked of animals, like a barnyard - and others that the showing instructions said to not let the cat/cats out - and the house was odorless. I think my nose works pretty well - and there was no smell. Clients didn't smell them either.

I have a friend with 3 cats - and also an odorless house - and two are male cats (neutered). Again, the litter box is in the garage (with one of those little doors) and she changes it all out often. She should also get a Genie.

I REALLY have to invest in stock in that thing.

[SteveArmy]

i think the cat litter smell, and the mess is worse than cat crap

[elnina]

I can smell cats odor, even if the house has been cleaned and no cats are living in it now. I think people that live with cats, don't smell them anymore...
It is similar like with smoker house. You can paint it, change carpet and furniture, but a non smoker will know that someone was smoking there.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

I have a cat - and I can't smell it. (It's a female, so no spraying, and I am finicky about that litter box - total fresh litter every 48 hours - I have GOT to get that cat genie). I have shown houses that reeked of animals, like a barnyard - and others that the showing instructions said to not let the cat/cats out - and the house was odorless. I think my nose works pretty well - and there was no smell. Clients didn't smell them either.

I have a friend with 3 cats - and also an odorless house - and two are male cats (neutered). Again, the litter box is in the garage (with one of those little doors) and she changes it all out often. She should also get a Genie.

I REALLY have to invest in stock in that thing.

I've been in many houses that have cats but do not smell. If you are fastidious about the litter box (as you are), there wont' be any discernible smell. I have, on the other hand, shown houses where the owners had not cleaned up after "backyard dogs" for a very long time and the smell and flies were unbelievable. Given the choice, I'd take a house with a well cared for indoor pet than one with a poorly cared for outdoor pet any day.

I think that the OP might have to be concerned about allergies however. Cat dander is going to be there, no matter how clean the house is (or how good it smells), and people with allergies to cats are going to stuff up immediately, itch and maybe even have a more significant reaction. Unless the house is fantastic in every way, an allergic person is not going to want to take the time and spend the money to remove cat dander from every inch of the house.

20yrsinBranson
whose house does not smell either

[Weatherguy]

I think I need to get lucky and find someone in Houston in the same situation, who wants to move to Austin. Wouldn't it be great if we liked each others' houses and neighborhoods?