Tips for Selling a House With Severe Weather Damage
Tips for Selling a House With Severe Weather Damage
Aug 20, 2019 by Lauren Norris
Weather can be unpredictable, and depending on where you live in the country, it can often be dangerous. Everything from flooding to tornadoes and hurricanes can cause damage to homes. Unfortunately, when you’re trying to sell your home and it gets damaged by some type of natural disaster, it can be incredibly discouraging. While weather damage might put a damper on your timeline to sell the house, it doesn’t have to shutter the process indefinitely. If the home you’re trying to sell gets damaged, it’s a good opportunity to make some repairs and ensure the house itself is in top shape to be put back on the market. Yes, it might take more time and cost a bit more money. But, in the end, you may be able to get a greater return on your investment. This is especially true if you take the opportunity not only to fix it, but to include add-ons like a deck or basement to increase its value. You’ll feel better knowing you’re selling a home that isn’t in disarray to someone who really loves it. So, how can you sell your house if it’s been damaged by the weather?
Assessing the Damage and Knowing What to Fix
The first thing you’ll need to do if your home has been damaged is to figure out the extent of that damage. Check if your insurance company covers the type of destruction you’re facing. If they do, that can be a big help when it comes to paying for repairs. If the windows were broken in the home or if there are any holes leading from the outside to the inside, those should always be the first repairs you make. Doing so will help to ensure additional weather doesn’t damage the inside of the home, and it will keep your home protected from break-ins and possible theft. When you’re trying to sell a house, one of the major components buyers look at is a strong and reliable roof. If a roof leaks or isn’t structurally sound, it’s unlikely someone is going to want to buy the property. Or they might make you pay for the cost of the repair as a condition of the sale. Weather damage can cause anything from small leaks to major problems that could require a completely new roof repairs or installations. Storms can damage walls, destroy roofs, and cause other major problems that can’t be fixed with a light patch job over a matter of days. In some cases, new construction and financing might be necessary in order to repair the home. You can use this as an opportunity to include some add-ons. But even if you keep the construction the same, you can use it as a selling feature to potential buyers. It’s important for someone interested in the home to know you took the right steps in making sure it was secure. They don’t want to have to deal with the headache of making repairs later on. When a storm or another weather disaster rolls through, it’s normal to only notice the major damage — but if your house is on the market, it’s important to go over every detail to make sure the property is safe and secure. Don’t overlook small repairs that need to be done, such as replacing window screens or fixing doors.
Organization and Curb Appeal
Once all the repairs have been made and the damage has been fixed, sprucing up your home is essential to adding appeal. It’s okay to be upfront with potential buyers about any damage that occurred. It gives you a chance to assure them that the proper repairs have been made so they can feel secure in buying the home. The last step should always be to make sure the disarray from weather damage is cleaned up. Things like tree branches, leaves, and other debris should be removed from your yard. The inside of the house should be clean and organized too. The home should look lived-in but tidy so people can see themselves staying there. Taking steps like hHaving clean laundry folded and put away or including decorative storage solutions are great ways to give potential buyers a “vision” for their living space. You can dress up the perimeter of the home as well to make the outdoor living space more appealing to potential home buyers. If you live in an area that frequently experiences severe weather, taking steps to boost curb appeal is important. Some buyers might be hesitant if they’re worried about damage to the home. Assuring them everything is safe and secure should be your top priority, but adding a little extra appeal or additional features to the home can make it easier to sell. Weather damage doesn’t have to ruin the sale of your home. Take the opportunity to fix things the right way. Take the time to make things better than they were before. When you’re able to do that, you can get your home back on the market quickly and take pride in what you’re selling.
Article submitted by: Ainsley Lawrence
