How to Sell a Home After a Flood

Flooding and the resultant water damage is probably every homeowner’s nightmare. Depending on the extent of water damage, most homeowners cannot recover from the heavy financial duress of floods, forcing them to sell their properties. Unfortunately, floods are unpredictable, and selling a water-damaged home is difficult. Below are a few tips that can help you sell your home after flood damage.

Evaluate the Extent of Water Damage

Whether you plan to sell your house or not, you should begin by evaluating the extent of flood damage. With the help of a flood inspector, you can assess and rate the property damage accurately. In areas experiencing severe flooding, FEMA inspectors come in handy in ensuring that affected homeowners benefit from disaster relief.

However, having a flood insurance policy comes in handy. The goal of flood inspection is to determine the most affected areas and clean the mess. Water damage restoration experts can help in this situation. They will help you remove wet furniture, fabric, and more. Cleaning your house immediately prevents further water damage and possible mold growth.

Deciding to Repair or Sell As-Is

Unfortunately, even an inch of flooding water can damage your floor or drywall, necessitating repairs. Homeowners with flood insurance policies can repair their homes before listing them for sale. However, you should be ready to part with hefty sums to repair your house without a flood insurance policy. If there is extensive water damage, it might take a while before your house becomes habitable.

With an insurance policy, you can wait for your home to be repaired before moving back or selling the house. If you can’t fund repairs, you should consider getting cash sale offers from potential homebuyers. Note that floods should be disclosed to the potential buyer and might reduce property price.

Options for Selling your Water Damaged Home

Consider the following options for selling your water damaged home;

1. Selling to Real Estate Investors

Several real estate investors specialize in flipping properties. The mode of operation of these companies is buying off properties from homeowners looking to dispose of their homes quickly. While selling your house for cash to investors may seem straightforward, some propose very low-ball offers.

Therefore, you should work with genuine investors who use various tools to determine the fair price of your property. Typically, you should request cash offers from multiple investors.

2. Selling Through Real Estate Agents

You can also sell your water-damaged home through real estate agents. Most homebuyers hire agents to find buyable properties on the market. However, ensure that you hire an agent who has experience selling water-damaged properties.

A reliable agent should help you decide on a reasonable selling price depending on the extent of water damage and the price of properties in your neighborhood. Agents should also use the Multiple Listing Service to market your house widely.

3. Selling it Yourself

You can also mark your property as “For sale by owner.” Unlike the other two options, you will be responsible for setting the price, marketing your home, and handling other processes involved in selling a home. This is advantageous as it eliminates most real estate commissions.

However, on the downside, few homeowners are willing to buy water-damaged homes as-is. Therefore, your house can remain on the market for a long period, especially if you don’t make the necessary repairs.

Conclusion

Selling a water-damaged home, especially in a floodplain, might prove challenging. Homeowners living in such areas are encouraged to take a flood insurance policy to protect them from financial duress in case of floods. If you prefer moving homes after the flood to avoid dealing with water damage in the future, consider a house in a dryer area like Texas.