MISSOURI -- Like many, they're facing foreclosure, but the Sleeper family in Festus, Missouri has a more unusual situation: they're about to lose their cave.
They're hoping a last minute pitch on eBay can help them either refinance or sell to the highest bidder.
Admittedly, it's not your typical home. The Sleepers got strange looks from the start.
"'It's a dirty mine tunnel curt. What's the plan?'" said homeowner Curt Sleeper, recounting what friends had told him. "And all those same people look at the house now with...and they can't talk for awhile."
The family could not be more proud.
The finished home has a gourmet kitchen, luxury bath, three bedrooms and a nursery for the newborn.
The trouble is that the Sleepers stand to lose it all.
Their mortgage is almost due and like many, they're unable to refinance.
"I don't fit their model," Sleeper said. "A lot of us don't. That's why nobody's getting loans."
So they're taking matters into their own hands.
The Sleepers are selling their cave home on eBay. Minimum bid -- $300,000.
Already, the site is inundated with interest.
"I have phone calls, emails. My website was shut down 20 times in the first day," Sleeper said.
Still, the family hopes it won't come to that.
Even the kids have become attached to their home.
"eBay and having to sell the cave, that would kind of suck because look at it. It's amazing," said Curt's son Perry.
Behind the living quarters, there's more cave, complete with cool acoustics.
There's even a stage that was used for rock concerts in the 1970s. But the family's favorite part is the cave's natural beauty.
"It's already gorgeous. It just needed a front door and a cover," Sleeper said.
The Sleepers haven't given up yet.
They're still trying to find financing to keep their cave.
They're hopeful someone or something will come through.
But while they said they'd be sad to sell, the next adventure awaits.
"There's this corn silo out there that's been screaming my name, I'm sure," Sleeper said.
The Sleepers said some investors have already expressed interest in helping them. But there are no done deals yet.
Their eBay auction runs through March 11.
