No one wants to think about their home sustaining fire damage, or worry about having to sell a home with fire damage. Even if pets and people who live in the home are not harmed, we will have losses. A home fire is something that happens to other people, and we have compassion for them, but we don’t think seriously about a fire indoors or outdoors on our own property.
Sadly, our opinion can change in one, brief incident. Whether it is our own home, a relative’s home or a rental property, whenever we have an ownership interest in real estate, we may find ourselves needing to sell a home with fire damage.
Repairing and remodeling the fire-damaged home is certainly an option. And we may consider removing the burned-out structure and completely rebuilding a new one. Our own circumstances will influence the decision we make, so there is not one, single correct decision after a home fire.
The primary decision is a choice between repairing the damaged property before selling it or selling the home as-is. This foundational decision often depends on the value of fire insurance coverage.
Fire Insurance and Fire Inspections
A small home fire requiring minimal repairs may not exceed the deductible on a homeowner’s fire insurance policy. Even though we will need to pay for those minor repairs out of our own pocket it’s not likely we would sell a home after a home fire without making the needed repairs. It just wouldn’t make sense.
But a big fire that causes major damage is another matter. The structural and smoke damage that can be seen by homeowners and by inspectors may not reveal the full extent of the damage.
Hiring a specialized inspection team to make a full assessment of the damage is a smart investment. The fire inspection team should come to the scene before deciding whether to sell a fire-damaged home, and whether to repair it first.
Deciding to Sell a Home with Fire Damage
Fire damage is not always an easy fix. Lingering smoke odor and weakened but invisible wood and metal damage makes it very difficult to know exactly what repairs are required. Hiring an inspection team to assess the hidden and visible fire damage can give us more information, but it doesn’t make our decision for us.
If you are not convinced you understand all the damage to your home in the aftermath of a fire, and you just want to sell a home with fire damage quickly, it’s time to call the professional home buyers at We Pay Fast. Call (405) 521-1807 or email info@wepayfast.com to find out how to sell your home for cash without real estate commissions or fees.