Cat allergy and buying a house

Re: Cat allergy and buying a house

• xmaryrickx

  October 2011

  It depends on how allergic you are. For me, I had my realtor check all homes for cats before we did a walk through. If she thought I would like it I went through. If not I skipped. If we had purchased a house that had cats I would have had to replace the carpet. Duct work would have also had to be cleaned. I would have had to have had the house professionally cleaned as well, and probably repainted. My cat allergies are extreme, so perhaps you wouldn't feel the need to go to such extremes to move into a house that had cats. I do think that replacing carpets should be done though.

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• BlackDiamond3201

  October 2011

  xmaryrickx:

  It depends on how allergic you are. For me, I had my realtor check all homes for cats before we did a walk through. If she thought I would like it I went through. If not I skipped. If we had purchased a house that had cats I would have had to replace the carpet. Duct work would have also had to be cleaned. I would have had to have had the house professionally cleaned as well, and probably repainted. My cat allergies are extreme, so perhaps you wouldn't feel the need to go to such extremes to move into a house that had cats. I do think that replacing carpets should be done though.

  All of this. Also you will want to make sure that they do not leave even the smallest thing behind - cat hair is sooo difficult to get rid of.

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• jacksjerseygirl

  October 2011

  My husband has a friend with a wife who has a very severe cat allergy. They won't come to our home because we had (no longer do) have a cat (nor any home in which a cat was EVER in). It doesn't matter that I routinely have my rugs and furniture professionally cleaned (no carpets). Her allergy is that severe. 
  
  Maybe she is just an exaggerator - seems like a crappy way to live life though if she is exaggerating. 
  
  I don't think that cleaning the carpets would be enough if you have a more serious allergy as even carpet cleaners can't get ALL hairs and allergens out (most though). You could have all carpets removed. Floors/baseboards thoroughly cleaned and then new padding and carpet put down. Remove all fabric curtains/shades they had as well (before removing carpet). 
  
  
  

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• Beads921 member

  

  October 2011

  I'd probably try getting the carpets and duct work professionally cleaned, and painting everything before replacing anything. 

  Life is good today.

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• tinydancingqueen

  October 2011

  I have a severe cat allergy that causes hives, itchy eyes and asthma symptoms, and even freshly cleaned carpets are a problem for me.  I can tell if an house has a cat living in it 5 minutes after walking through the door, my allergies are that sensitive.  I would need to change all the carpeting, professionally clean all duct work, and remove all drapes and any cloth or upholstery from from the previous owners.  I would also need to have the place professionally swabbed from ceiling to floor, just to get all the dander-contaminated dust, kitty litter dust and hair from all surfaces. 
  

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• HBCinOI

  October 2011

  I think about this sometimes.  We have 6 cats and will be putting our house on the market in a year or so.  While I keep my house very clean, if someone is very allergic to cats they may not even want to come in.  We only have carpet in two bedrooms though.  The rest of our house is hardwoods so that should help.  Actually, my biggest concern is having people over to look at the house and them letting one of my cats out!

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