strong cat urine odor

[Kellen M]

Thinking about purchasing a property with cat urine around the refrigerator but the smell travels over other parts of the house. My question: Should I calculate that expense to fix it into my offer price or bid regularly and if the inspector finds the problem, ask for the seller to fix it?? It is a foreclosure, so it would be the bank that I'm dealing with. Thanks for your responses!

[Mark Updegraff]

I hate cat odor. Can't stand it!! Anyway, you need to be really careful to find out where the cat has been marking. There are most likely SEVERAL places. Once a cat starts peeing there, it doesn't stop... once the oder gets into whatever it is through constant saturation, the BEST METHOD is to remove the materials and replace (yes, subfloor, drywall, whatever it is). You can TRY to mask the smell, but it will not work. After using Killz (and several gallons, several coats) it has not worked. If you can completely seal from all sides, MAYBE it will work. But in my experience, it needs replaced or the next tenant / buyer WILL smell it. Even with 4 bottles of febreeze (or they will know you're hiding something due to the large amount of oder killer).

A bank owned property that has already been through foreclosure and not been purchased by an investor will OFTEN sell for LESS than the bank was trying to get at foreclosure. Usually the broker sets the price, and the broker being local has a very good sense of value (usually). Try to work directly with the listing broker, he will give you some insight on the banks position. Finally, try this: Figure out how much you want to spend and write: "Final and Best Offer" at the top in big black letters. :D Good luck!