Selling a house with any kind of damage can be a pretty complicated activity. When you’re dealing with one that has experienced water damage, it can quickly become a hassle — depending on the level of water damage, of course.
Usually, most water damage can go without detection for a long time. You would likely only detect it and the extent of its damage when you eventually conduct a home inspection. On the other hand, certain occurrences can be readily apparent.
So, if you want to, here’s what you should know about how to sell a house with water damage.
What Are Some Common Causes of Water Damage?
There are several causes of water damage; while some fall under the category of construction decisions, others are simply defects.
- Flat Roofs
- Leaking pipes
- Storm surges
- Clogged gutters
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are designed such that there’s a slight angle for water to flow off the roof directly into the gutter. However, over time, water may pool on the roof as a result of ice dams, debris weight and tree branches.
In winter, water is trapped on the roof by ice dams, and when this happens, it could cause ceiling leaks, roof cracks, and mold growth. To prevent this, it is advisable to check your roof periodically to get rid of anything that could impede water flow.
A permanent solution to this issue would require hiring the services of a contractor to re-pitch the roof.
Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes can be caused by several reasons, including simple wear as a result of age, corrosion, rust, and freezing. If the pH levels in your water are not balanced, they can also cause the copper constituent of the pipe to dissolve.
Signs of leaking pipes include low water pressure, discolored water, floor cracks, water stains on the ceiling, and wall paint peeling or bubbling.
Storm Surges
Floods are not uncommon occurrences during floods and hurricanes and cannot be avoided. However, preventive measures to stop water from entering your home can be taken, and they include:
- Recaulking door and window frames
- Sealing up gaps and cracks
- Use of flood-resistant tile floors, insulation, and drywall
- Garage door reinforcement
- Installation of high-impact glass and storm shutters on windows
Clogged Gutters
If your gutters are not properly maintained and they get clogged, it can cause a measure of water damage. Objects such as debris, small pets, and leaves can build up in the gutter and since the water can no longer flow through the channel, it would begin to flow over to your home.
Water can make its way into your basement and foundation, causing a lot of damage – in certain cases, it could shift the foundation. To prevent this, gutter maintenance is critical. Ensure that you clean your gutters at least twice annually – once in winter and the second time in autumn after the leaves fall.
Selling a House With Water Damage
A home inspection is one of the first stages of a home sale, where a professional comes in to assess the overall condition, checking for potential health hazards and safety issues like water damage, which can facilitate the growth of black mold.
The inspector would also check the pipes to see whether they’re rusty or corroded and can cause water damage. This is why, before this happens, you should have conducted your own inspection. Look out for leaky faucets, water sewer problems, leaky and rusted pipes, as well as backflow and cross-connection issues.
If any damage is already occurring, identifying the source as quickly as possible is critical to seeking a solution. Some of the more common signs that you could notice include:
- Puddles or pooling water on the floors
- Mold growth in walls or ceilings
- Moldy and/or musty smell
- Bubbling or cracking paint
- Wet spots on walls or ceilings
- Water utility bill spike without any significant change in the rate of water use
Once you detect the source of the issue, see whether you can proffer an initial, temporary solution to prevent further damage. After that, you would have to call in a plumber to take a look.
What Are the Likely Challenges of Selling a Water-Damaged House?
Selling a house with water damage can have more to it than meets the eye. This is because water damage can be extensive and impact major areas of the house. Here are some of the challenges you may face when selling:
Price Reduction
Potential buyers would very likely price your home significantly below its actual market value. In addition to requesting credit for fixing the damage, they could potentially want to give you a lowball offer. Even if you choose to fix the issue on your own, they could still try to pull such a stunt.
Safety Concerns
If the water damage is extensive so that it gets into the home’s electrical system, this could be a major issue. This is because it poses a safety risk and could even cause a fire outbreak. Fixing this issue would be costly.
Health Hazards
Mold growth caused by water damage can cause illnesses and, therefore, poses a health risk. So, if you want to sell the traditional route, this is one critical issue you would need to fix.
Selling As-Is; a Practical Solution
One thing about water damage is that it can happen silently and you would only notice after a lot of damage has been done. In such a scenario, in addition to fixing the source of the problem, you would have to repair the damages as well.
The average cost of water damage repairs ranges from $1,300 to $5,600. Depending on the severity of the damage, it can go as high as $13,000. Paying for repairs like this out of pocket may be pretty impossible, especially if you don’t have this kind of money lying around.
Similarly, selling your house the traditional way and offering credit for the damage could see your property severely underpriced. So, an ideal route would be one where you don’t have to worry about repairs, and you receive the real cash value of your house.
This is where a cash buyer comes in. Local cash buyers buy homes in any condition, and pay cash, allowing you access funds in as little as seven days.
Who’s going to buy? We can help out with that! We buy houses that need serious repairs or are in various other conditions. At dsouzahomebuyers, we can provide you with a cash offer for your house in no time!
You don’t have to deal with any of this hassle. No need for repairs or renovations!
Fill out this form to get the process started, and we could be closing in as few as 7 days! Remember, no fees, no commissions, no closing costs!
If you have any other questions, definitely call us at (925) 503 8193.
Final Thoughts
Comprehensive water damage is no joke, and in such a scenario, an option that allows you to skip repairs is an excellent one. Consider selling your house fast for cash and skipping the hassle of water damage repairs.
