How to sell a water-damaged house in Tucson
Houses in Tucson can be damaged by water in a number of ways, including burst pipes, a hot water heater leak, condensation from poorly vented rooms, and severe storms, especially during monsoon season with flash flooding and downpours. Whether water enters your house through a small pipe leak in a wall or through poorly sealed windows during storms, it’s important to act quickly to avoid further damage such as wood rot and mold.
If you’re wanting to sell your water-damaged house in Tucson or you’d like to be ready to deal with an unexpected water event in your house, it’s important to know what to do. Let’s look at how water can enter your house, what insurance covers, and how to sell a house with water damage.
Stopping water entry is an important first step.
If water is entering your house, quick action can save your home from suffering immediate and future issues and damage. The American Red Cross says, "Address water damage immediately. The longer you wait, the more severe the damage can become, leading to more extensive repairs and higher costs." The presence of water in your house can cause the following issues:
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Damage to the structure of your house: Water can erode your home’s foundation and cause wood to rot under the floor and in the framing of the house.
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Mold: Mold can start growing in a damp area of your house in as little as 24–48 hours. Not only is mold unsightly and musty-smelling, but it can also cause health problems and further damage the structure of your house.
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Ruined belongings: Carpeting, hardwood floors, sheetrock, furniture, and other household belongings can be damaged and destroyed by water.
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Electrical dangers: Electrical wiring and appliances can cause shocks and fire if water gets to them.
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Health dangers: Standing water and moisture breed bacteria that can cause illness.
Ignoring water issues in your house can result in insurance non-payment. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), “Most standard homeowner insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, but they do not cover damage resulting from poor maintenance or neglect.”
Contact your insurance agent.
Once you’ve stopped the access of water into your house, contact your insurance agent to find out what your policy covers. According to Forbes, 24% of home damage claims involve water damage, and the average claim is $12,514. About 14,000 people in the US experience a water-damage emergency at home or work each day.
Regular homeowners insurance typically won’t accept claims from floods. Flooding requires a separate flood insurance policy. Federal disaster aid may be able to help if your house is in a flood and you don’t have flood insurance.
Remove standing water in your Tucson house.
If you have a great deal of water, call the Tucson fire department to pump it out. They have special equipment for such events. They can also turn off your water supply if the water is coming from a burst pipe, and they’ll turn off your power if there’s electrical danger. Wear protective gear such as rubber gloves and boots, and use tools like towels, mops, a wet/dry vacuum, and fans to remove standing water. Follow up with dehumidifiers and open your windows for ventilation if it’s dry outside.
Examine the water damage in your house.
It’s difficult for most of us to see what has been damaged because a lot of water damage is hidden under floors and behind walls and ceilings. A professional water damage inspector can do a more thorough evaluation with special tools such as moisture monitors and thermal cameras. Ask your insurance agent if this type of inspection is covered by your policy.
How to sell a water-damaged house
It can be difficult to sell a house with considerable water damage. If there’s wood rot, foundation damage, or a mold problem, mortgage companies may deny a loan to a potential buyer when there’s this degree of water damage to a house. If the damage is too much for you to deal with, it’s still possible to sell your house. We Buy Ugly Houses®, a reputable off-market house buyer in Tucson, buys houses “as is,” including houses with mold, structural damage, and moisture issues.
When you sell to us, there’s no need to repair water damage. In fact, if water has damaged items in your house, we’ll take care of them for you. Simply reach out to us for a consultation at your house, and one of our friendly Tucson property specialists will meet with you, take a tour of your Tucson property, and answer your questions. Sometimes, we can provide a fast offer the same day. If you accept our offer, we can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks or will try our best to adjust to your schedule if you need more time.
We’ve been in business since 1996 and have built a reputation of trust and reliability, resulting in amazing seller reviews. You can count on us to give you a stress-free, fast, and easy sale. We don’t charge commissions and have no hidden fees. We also pay typical closing costs. Our offers are typically discounted in exchange for speed and convenience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and the benefits we offer.
