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.

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26 Comments on It's About Your Kitty Litter Box

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FEB
27
2008
447,622 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
Litter boxes turn buyers away, I cant stand the smell.  Great post.
9:07am • #7
384,436 Points
Well said... I use to have problems with discussing this, but now I have in my listing packet, the "Sellers Duties", I clearly discuss pet odors and smoking.  It is hard enough sometimes to get past the clutter then have to deal with the smell to boot.
9:08am • #8
1,518,017 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Take it from a cat lover.  I have five and emptying the litter boxes DAILY is an absolute MUST.  As much as I love these little guys, but their potties REEK!   Just ask your sellers this, "Would you go to the bathroom and leave it unflushed?" 
9:08am • #9
228,891 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I have three cats and two dogs.  When we go on listing appointments I have to ask Dad if he can smell the pets.  If he does, then I do the talking because I am an obvious animal lover.  It's a delicate thing to do, but not having the talk doesn't do anyone any favors!
9:09am • #10
105,006 Points 6 Featured Posts

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
9:15am • #11
338,910 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It is hard because most times they have just gotten so used to it. It's a complete turn off for buyer though...and I don't particularly enjoy it either ;-)
9:19am • #12
873,501 Points 167 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Pat - This is sound advice for any home seller.  We have multiple cats at our home, and the advice to "scoop early and often" certainly applies.  Good job!
9:22am • #13
1,910,827 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

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.

 
9:25am • #14
130,235 Points Outside Blog
Patricia - there is nothing worse than a stinky kitty litter box!
10:19am • #15
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Mine gets scooped at least once a day and sometimes twice.  I've also noticed that no matter how hard you scrub after awhile the plastic just absorbs order.  So about every 3-6 months I just buy a new box.  And like you my house isn't for sale but I think showing so many houses with stinky boxes has made me very sensative to my own kitties smell.
10:27am • #16
596,996 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Patricia,

You have to experience it to believe how bad it can be!!! Great post!!! Thanks,   Fran
10:54am • #17
1 Featured Post
Even more frightening is the wanna be tigers that I have a habit to come across. :)
12:44pm • #18
301,384 Points 55 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
We can never have to many reminders on this subject. And what is worse is when we have other odors happening. Combine kitty litter with the smell of cigarette smoke or cooking odors that linger (garlic or curry expecially). And, don't think that burning a candle helps!
3:32pm • #19
550,593 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia...

Did someone say Cat? :)

In my opinion Cats should be fed to Dogs. But that's just me :)

TLW...ROAR!
4:33pm • #20
296,266 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

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!)

 
6:50pm • #21
999,882 Points 42 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Patricia - What a timely post--another "cat house" was red tagged in LA today.  A sweet little 80 year old woman with too many cats to count was busted! The house will probably have to be razed, as it was a litter box-free home--those cats went when and where they pleased--they even found a dead one in the piano! OMG....
8:18pm • #22
FEB
28
2008
I had one client who put the litter box right near the back door...which is the door that prospective buyers and their agents would enter through! YUK! Imagine that as your first impression. It was a tiny condo without many places to put the litter box and since that was the door she used to take out the garbage, it made logical sense when she was living...but not when she was selling. BTW, the only reason the lockbox was on the back door was because you couldn't put it on the front (common) door to the building. She wanted a lockbox for easy access... otherwise I would never have people enter from the back door!
8:21am • #23
628,090 Points 41 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

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.....
8:32am • #24
1,910,827 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

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

8:16pm • #25
MAR
01
2008
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
Pat, another funny post.  My parents have toyed with the idea of moving across town.  Now, their house is terrible.  I'm sorry.  Smoke AND kitty smells.  They live for the cats.  So, I am truly unsure if I'd even refer them to another agent here in the RAIN if they ever did decide to sell...I'm such a bad daughter! 
4:58pm • #26

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

Office Phone: (202) 364-1700

Cell Phone: (202) 549-5167

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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