A house fire will change your life in more ways than one could ever imagine. Knowing your options after fire damage puts you and your family ahead of the game, and will make this experience a little more manageable and less stressful. Whether your house was already on the market or you’ve decided to sell it after the fire, dealing with the cleanup after even a mild house fire can be rather challenging. Ultimately, the greatest benefit to selling a fire damaged house is more than just the money. It’s also the peace of mind that comes from putting the fire behind you, moving on, and making a fresh start.
With the right information, however, it is possible to simplify the process. Selling a fire damaged home is slightly different from a regular home, but it doesn’t have to be harder. However, a thorough cleaning of the premises is essential to getting a fair price for your home after a fire. If your home has smoke residue, you will not get the price you want.
During this time, you need to know that you have options. These include:
Disclose, But Don’t Advertise
Though you do have to disclose the fact that the house has been involved in a fire, it does not mean that you have to advertise it in your listings. If the damage has been repaired and the house passes inspection, there is no reason to scrawl “fire damage” over a perfectly restored house. Proper disclosure and compliance with regulations can still facilitate a smooth process when selling your fire-damaged house effectively.
Insurance Company
Your insurance company could help offset some costs of cleaning and repairing the house, so get in touch with them immediately. They will usually request that the repair work is carried out professionally. Even if you can carry out the work yourself, you will most likely have to get somebody in who is certified to complete the job. On the positive side, this can enhance your chances of a profitable sale in the long-run.
If It’s Still Damaged, Clean It Up
After a fire, the amount of work done to clean up may be too much for a stressed homeowner. However, putting it up for sale in that condition will not attract any buyers. “Fire damage” already has a negative connotation, so putting forth an image of a perfectly sound and clean home will help erase the negativity surrounding “fire damage.”
Get It Checked & Appraised
The buyer performs an inspection, but if they find any undisclosed problems they will be out the damaged door. Make sure that you hire a structural engineer to identify any costly issues, and have a certified appraiser come to the property. Fire damaged homes are harder to sell, so it’s handy having an independent appraiser ensure the property is valued correctly.
Sell a Fire Damaged House As-Is
And if you decide that you don’t want to deal with any of the work stated above, we understand. We Buy Fire Damaged Houses for cash in as-is condition. This option most often puts more money in your pocket, and saves you time.
Conclusion
Fire damage is one of the most traumatic disaster occurrences that a property owner can face. It causes extensive damage to your property and can be very costly and time consuming to repair. While most fire damages can be easily seen and figured out, not all of it is as easy to detect.