Case Study 2: “The Cat House” – Inheritance & Repairs

The Challenge: When Grief Meets an Unimaginable Discovery

Mary’s world turned upside down when she received a devastating phone call at her home in Austin. Her sister had been rushed to the hospital and tragically passed away shortly after. While still processing her grief, Mary faced the overwhelming task of arranging her sister’s funeral and navigating the complex probate process.

What should have been a straightforward inheritance became a months-long legal battle when her sister’s boyfriend contested the will. Despite having no legal claim to the property, he believed he deserved both the house and car, forcing Mary to prove her rightful inheritance in court while dealing with her loss.

During the probate proceedings, Mary decided to visit her sister’s house to assess the situation. Nothing could have prepared her for what she discovered when she walked through the front door.

The Shocking Discovery

Thirty cats. That’s what greeted Mary when she entered her sister’s home. The overwhelming smell hit her first, followed by the sight of dozens of cats roaming freely throughout the house. What Mary didn’t know was that her sister and the boyfriend had been hoarding cats for years.

After her sister’s passing, the boyfriend had essentially abandoned the property, only stopping by occasionally to dump cat food and refill water bowls before leaving the animals to fend for themselves in the house.

The damage was catastrophic. Cat waste covered every surface. Floors were destroyed beyond repair. Walls were stained and damaged. The smell was so overwhelming that Mary could only stay inside the house as long as she could hold her breath. The once beautiful house had become an uninhabitable biohazard.

Mary felt completely overwhelmed. She had no idea where to even begin tackling such an enormous cleanup project, let alone how to make the property sellable.

Finding Help For The Impossible

Living in Austin and dealing with a property hours away, Mary knew she needed professional help. She began searching online for companies that buy houses “as is” and came across our website.

Her first phone call to us was unlike any we’d received before. Mary’s opening question was direct: “Do you buy houses with animal feces?”

Without hesitation, we assured her that we do. We’ve seen it all, and we understand that life circumstances can create situations that seem impossible to resolve. Mary’s relief was palpable – finally, someone who didn’t judge her situation and was willing to help.

Our Approach

Understanding that Mary lived in Austin and was emotionally drained from months of legal battles and grief, we immediately committed to handling everything remotely. We knew that requiring her to make multiple trips back to that traumatic environment would only add to her suffering.

We worked directly with Mary’s probate attorney to ensure all legal requirements were met and coordinated the entire process without Mary having to return to the property. Our team handled:

• Remote property assessment and valuation
• Coordination with legal representatives
• All necessary paperwork and documentation
• Timeline management to align with probate requirements

We understood that this wasn’t just about buying a damaged house – it was about providing Mary with a way to close this painful chapter of her life without having to relive the trauma of that discovery.

The Outcome

Mary was able to close on the property without ever having to face that traumatic environment again. The sale provided her with the financial resolution she needed while allowing her to finally move forward with her grief process.

Most importantly, Mary gained peace of mind. She no longer had to worry about the overwhelming task of cleaning up the property, dealing with animal control issues, or managing repairs that would have cost tens of thousands of dollars – if they were even possible.

When we spoke with Mary after closing, she expressed profound gratitude not just for buying the house, but for treating her situation with dignity and understanding during one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Wondering what happened to the 30 cats? Don’t worry, the Houston SPCA safely picked them up.

Why This Matters

The “Cat House” case illustrates several important principles that guide our approach:

No Judgment, Only Solutions: We understand that life circumstances can create situations that seem impossible. We don’t judge – we solve problems.

Remote Capabilities: Geographic distance doesn’t have to be a barrier. We have the systems and expertise to handle complex transactions remotely, saving our clients time, money, and emotional stress.

Legal Coordination: We work seamlessly with attorneys, probate courts, and other legal professionals to ensure smooth transactions even in complex inheritance situations.

Compassionate Service: We recognize that behind every challenging property is a person dealing with difficult circumstances. Our approach prioritizes their emotional well-being alongside the transaction details.

Our Commitment to Challenging Situations

Mary’s story demonstrates that no situation is too complex or too damaged for us to handle. Whether you’re dealing with:

• Inherited properties in any condition
• Animal damage or hoarding situations
• Properties requiring extensive repairs
• Geographic distance challenges
• Time-sensitive legal situations

We have the experience, resources, and compassion to provide solutions where others see only problems.

We understand that sometimes life presents us with situations that feel impossible to resolve. That’s exactly when you need a partner who won’t walk away from complexity – you need a team that thrives on finding solutions to seemingly impossible problems.

Your peace of mind is our priority, and we’ll work tirelessly to ensure you can move forward without the burden of an unsellable property weighing you down.