Selling a Water Damaged Home

by Bob Hummer 05/25/2021

Photo by Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock

After a significant storm or catastrophic event, you may determine that moving to a different climate is right for your household. The question becomes, do you repair all the damage to your home before you sell it, or do you offer it “as is” so that the buyer takes on that cost. Sometimes, if you take care of the damage problem quickly, you’re only left with minor repairs. Often, though, it can seem like the entire house needs fixing.

To figure out which is right for your situation, review these pros and cons of each choice.

Making Repairs vs. Selling "As-Is"

  • Repairing water damaged areas will net you more if you have the resources and the time to make the repairs before you sell. You can ask a higher price when you sell. But often, this process involves waiting for insurance money, hiring contractors, completing repairs and having the adjuster inspect the work. Meanwhile, you must find a place to live while they fix the water-damaged areas. That means spending a lot for out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Additionally, you’ll need to put extra effort into making sure that buyers feel comfortable and confident in the house’s repairs, which means hiring professional inspectors, documenting mold mitigation and repairing even minor damages. All this might not be worth the investment.
  • When you don’t have the time or money to fix the repairs, you can sell your house “as-is," water damaged and all. You won’t get as much money for the property, but you can get out of it and into a new home sooner. In many instances, your knowledgeable agent can market to investors that willingly give you a cash sale offer. The best part about it is you won’t have to do anything. All the money you would have spent on repairs, contractors and professional inspectors can stay in your pocket or go toward your new home.

Selling to an Investor

Selling a water-damaged house to an investor is one of the best options. An investor will pay cash for your property without requiring you to fix anything. Here are the best practices to make it a great sale:

  • Do not hide the water damage! Whatever you do, don’t try to hide that your home experienced flooding.
  • Legally, whether selling "as is" to an investor or an interested buyer, disclosing water damage is a requirement; this is because water damage may introduce harmful chemicals, materials, or pathogens into the home, which can lead to mold growth in the future. Trying to cover up water damage can land you in court. Do yourself a favor. Let any buyer know about past water damage in your home.

How to Sell a Flood-Damaged House

If you have the money from an insurance payout, make the repairs. You can fetch a higher price on the market. But when this investment isn’t worth the cost, it’s often a better choice to sell your water-damaged home to an investor instead. If this sounds like a good possibility for you, ask your real estate professional to market your home to investors so you can resettle your household in a better home.

About the Author
Author

Bob Hummer

Bob Hummer brings a wealth of experience with him; a practitioner in real estate in Northern Virginia since 1978, a Life Member of both the Million Dollar Sales Club and the Top Producers Club with over 2,500 Satisfied Families and President, Prince William Association of REALTORS in 1991. His experiences range from helping buyers and sellers attain their goals; to renovating historic homes on Capitol Hill; to counseling and assisting homeowners facing the loss of their home due to foreclosure. Since 1996, he has presented his free monthly Home Buyer and Home Seller seminars at the Woodbridge campus of Strayer University. In June 2023 he completed the Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist course and was awarded the designation CPRES. His goal is to assist individuals who inherited real estate and wish to sell. A former "Military Brat" and a retired Air Force Hospital Administrator, Bob has made more than 26 moves during his life and is extremely familiar with all aspects of a family relocating - whether it is across the street or across the nation.