Despite Phoenix’s arid climate, water damage to a house can pose a significant problem for homeowners. Whether it's due to leaking pipes, hot water heater failures, or broken appliances, it often starts as a small issue that gets worse over time. Sometimes, a major incident like a rough monsoon season or a house fire can lead to rapid flooding and extensive damage. If you’re planning a home sale, you should know what to do about water damage and how to sell a house with water damage in Phoenix.
What should you do if you have water damage in your home?
If you discover water damage in your Phoenix home, it's important to act fast. The longer you wait to address water damage, the more severe the issue can become. Even minor water damage can lead to significant problems if left unchecked, such as mold growth, structural damage, and health hazards. First, you’ll need to:
- Close off the source of the water. If possible, identify and stop the source of the water leak. This might involve shutting off the main water valve or fixing a broken pipe. Immediate action can prevent further damage and save on repair costs.
- Contact your insurance company. Once the water is shut off, you should contact your insurance provider right away to report the damage. It's important to report claims quickly to ensure smooth processing and coverage. Document the damage with photos and detailed notes for your insurance claim.
- Remove the water. Use mops, shop vacs, fans, and dehumidifiers to remove water and dry out the affected area. If the water is extensive, wear protective clothing like rubber boots and consider shutting off power to that area at the breaker box to avoid electrical hazards.
How do you fix water damage to a house in Phoenix?
Once you’ve dealt with the immediate problem, you should:
- Assess the extent of the damage. You should evaluate what needs to be repaired or replaced and determine the extent of the damage to floors, walls, furniture, and other belongings. Professional inspections might be necessary to fully understand the scope of the damage.
- Consider mold remediation. Mold can start growing within 24–48 hours of water damage. For small issues, you can try DIY mold removal methods. But for bigger infestations, it's best to call in a professional mold remediation service to make sure everything is properly cleaned and to avoid any health risks.
- Call a restoration company. Restoration professionals in Phoenix can handle extensive repairs, including structural fixes and mold remediation. These services are not cheap, but they might be covered under your homeowners insurance. Always check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.
Even if you fix the water damage before selling, you will need to provide disclosure to future buyers. In Phoenix, disclosure is mandatory. Disclosing water damage when selling a house is important if you want to avoid potential issues that may come up during a buyer’s inspection.
Selling to an off-market home buyer
Sometimes, the damage is more than you're willing to handle. Extensive repairs can be time-consuming. In such cases, you may want to consider selling your water-damaged house to an off-market home buyer like We Buy Ugly Houses®. When you sell to an off-market home buyer, you get to:
- Sell your house “as is” and avoid repairs. One of the most significant advantages of selling your house to a home buyer like us is that you can sell your house in its current condition. That’s because we don’t need a move-in ready home. There’s no need to make repairs, updates, or clean your house before selling.
- Skip inspection and sell directly. When you sell to a home-buying company, you can skip the hassle of home inspections. Also, you don’t need to waste time waiting for an interested buyer on the traditional market.
- Save on upfront selling costs. Selling your home through traditional real estate channels often involves paying real estate commission fees to agents. Working with off-market home buyers usually means you can avoid these fees, and some investors like We Buy Ugly Houses® will absorb other expenses as well, like typical closing costs.† You can also minimize listing and marketing costs when you sell to a direct home buyer.
How to sell your house with water damage to We Buy Ugly Houses®
We Buy Ugly Houses® is here for you when you want to skip the repairs and sell your house “as is” to a Phoenix home buyer you can trust. Selling your water-damaged house to us is a simple and stress-free process. Here's how it works:
- Get a free consultation. All you need to do is reach out to us for a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our local, friendly property buyers will meet you, take a tour of your property, and answer any questions you might have.
- Receive a fast offer. After evaluating your property, we can provide an offer, sometimes on the same day. Our offers are competitive and based on the current market and the condition of your home, as well as other factors. While you might not always get top dollar when selling to us, we provide a fast, convenient, and quick sale.
- Experience a quick closing. If you accept our offer, we'll work with you to figure out a quick closing timeline that fits your schedule. We’re known for our fast closings and can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks. If that’s too fast, we’ll do our best to work with you to get the best closing date for your selling schedule, because we aim to make the process as smooth and convenient as possible for you.
When you're trying to sell a water-damaged house and want a hassle-free sale, reach out to We Buy Ugly Houses® in Phoenix. Find out how easy it can be to skip the repairs and sell your house to home buyers who care.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
