Water Damage on Long Island: How to Successfully Sell A Water Damaged Home

It is not easy to sell property with water damage. It’s hard enough to sell a property as it is today, but selling one that’s been damaged means that somebody’s going to have you buy a fixer-upper. If you don’t plan to get your property fixed before you sell it, then you’re going to find that you need to disclose the damage when you sell. 

With the right approach, however, you’ll be able to navigate the process of disclosing the damage properly. Water damage doesn’t just affect the structural integrity of a home. There are concerns that will be raised about mildew, mold, and other potential health hazards that could affect the buyer and their family. If we don’t disclose these things, not only will you be doing somebody else an injustice, but it’s not transparent. You can still sell a property that has water damage, so let’s take a look at how you can do it.

house with water damage on long island

Assess The Cause and Extent of the Water Damage in Your House

You have to assess your home properly for water damage, so that you’re able to list it at the prices it should be sold for. Before you can do that, you need to make sure that you assess the extent of the damage. Bringing in an expert to come and do a walk around of the home with you is important. You have to inspect both the exterior and the interior of the property because you need to look for the right signs of water infiltration. Are there stains? Is there discoloration on the walls or the ceilings? Are the surfaces warped? Is there a musty odor that indicates water-based mildew? If you don’t identify the source of the water damage, whether it’s plumbing, the roof, or any other flooding, there’s going to be a problem.

Once you have assessed the damage effectively, you need to then disclose all known water damage to potential buyers. It’s an essential component of a real estate transaction, especially if you are selling to a cash buyer. Failing to disclose it now will lead to legal issues down the line that you could avoid, and hefty costs that you could also avoid. All disclosures should be made in writing and should be accompanied with a copy of the inspection that you did with the professional. If there have been any further repairs or mitigating efforts undertaken, that should also be documented for the buyers.

Work with professionals when it comes to repairs

You might decide not to bother with any repairs before you sell the house, but that could mean you sell the house at a significant loss. You’re already looking at selling and beyond underneath the market value if you’re selling for cash, but if you sell a water-damaged home for cash, you could end up knocking a few thousand more dollars off the end cost. Repairing the water damage is a critical step in preparing the property for sale. It depends, however, on the extent of the damage, because you might need to work with various professionals to be able to get it done. You need to speak to mold remediation specialists, plumbers, roofers, and contractors. And you should always hire licensed and reputable professionals to do it. They need to have experience in dealing with water damage, and that your repairs are done correctly and to code.

Finding the cause of the water damage is your first priority. From here you can then start fixing the plumbing problems or the roof leaks and then you can start working with professionals to shift to repairing the interior damage like drywall or mold.

selling a house with water spots on ceiling

Market the Property to the Right Kind of Buyers

Effective marketing is crucial when it comes to selling a property that has extensive water damage. You have to continue to shine a light on the strength of the property and address any particular concerns upfront. Remember that you’re looking to attract potential buyers here, so if you want to be able to market the property effectively, you can do the following things:

  • Talk about the potential of the property. Being able to focus on the positive attributes of the property, such as location and layout, as well as the potential for it to be a fixer-upper, is important. Some investors do like to buy a cheaper property if they’re going to be investing in it themselves.
  • Talk about the repairs that you have made. As part of your marketing process, make a point of talking about upgrading all the repairs that you’ve made to address the water damage issues that are there. If you can showcase these improvements in your marketing materials it goes a long way to improving the value of the house and showing the effort you’ve already made.
  • Think about selling to a cash home buyer. If you sell to a cash home buyer, you’ll find that you’ll be able to sell the property with water damage much faster than a normal sale. You also don’t have to worry about the hassle of a traditional real estate transaction where you have to wait for all the contracts to be done before a sale can happen. Cash buyers are often willing to purchase properties as they are, which means that even though you might sell it for a little bit less, you can avoid the time and the expense of extensive repairs.
selling house as-is with water damage

Selling A House With Water Damage As-Is

In conclusion, selling a house with water damage as-is may seem daunting, but it is far from impossible. By embracing transparency and honesty in disclosing the damage, engaging with experts for accurate assessment, and considering repairs, you can navigate this challenge effectively. Remember, the key lies in balancing the costs and benefits of potential repairs against the price you can achieve in the market. Additionally, targeting the right buyers, such as cash home buyers, who are often more willing to take on a property with issues, can streamline the process. Ultimately, whether you choose to invest in repairs or sell the property in its current state, the decision should align with your goals and financial considerations. With strategic planning and the right approach, you can turn a seemingly difficult situation into a successful sale, ensuring a fair outcome for both you and the buyer.