Your Guide to Selling a Weather-Damaged House in Atlanta
Weather events that may cause house damage in Atlanta
The National Weather Service says that on average, Georgia usually sees 25 to 30 tornadoes in a year. AtlantaNewsFirst reported that 9 tornadoes were on the ground during the same timeframe in the Atlanta metro area of Griffith on January 17, 2023. In that instance, 32 injuries and 2 deaths were reported, along with significant widespread property damage. The damage included ripped-off shingles and siding, trees falling on houses, and complete demolition of buildings.
Tornadoes aren’t the only weather-related cause of structure damage in Atlanta. Fierce wind from thunderstorms and straight-line winds, lightning strikes that cause house fires and electrical problems, and flooding from rain are other events that can batter structures. According to InteractiveHailMaps, Atlanta has seen hail 9 times in the last year. Hail can cause severe damage to roofs and siding, and can even knock out windows.
The hidden damage from flooding
Some home water damage can be difficult to detect. Even if you’ve had only slight flooding damage to your floors, or if a winter cold snap bursts a pipe in your wall, the water damage can cause mold, rot, and structural damage if undetected and left untreated. The water damage may not be visible or accessible. Sometimes, only geothermal tools can spot it, and that means a professional should be called in to conduct an inspection.
If water damage is caused by flooding, know that a lot of typical home insurance policies don’t cover flooding. Usually, a separate flood policy must be purchased, and in flood-prone areas, one may not be available.
How to sell a weather-damaged house in Atlanta
If your Atlanta home has weather-related damage and you want to sell it, you’re probably asking, “How can I sell my damaged home when it’s like this?” If you aren’t going to repair the damage, you can sell the house “as is.” When you market the house “as is,” potential buyers know that you won’t be repairing anything, and that pricing of the house is typically calculated according to comparable houses in the neighborhood minus the expense to fix the issues.
You can show potential buyers estimate quotes from contractors for any work that may need to be done. In Georgia, sellers are required to verbally tell potential buyers about any issues with the structure if asked, and real estate agents advise giving the buyer a Statement of Disclosure form with a list of problems.
Make your Atlanta house as presentable as possible, despite the weather damage. Unclutter, clean, remove personal possessions, and air out the house. Hire a good, experienced real estate agent who will give you advice on if you should make minor repairs or not. Sometimes, a cheap coat of paint makes a huge difference to the appearance of the house.
Mow the lawn, trim shrubbery, and make the entrance or porch look as attractive as possible. First impressions matter. Market the house with a focus on the house’s potential instead of its current weather-damaged condition.
An uncomplicated way to sell a weather-damaged house
You could always work with a reputable off-market house buyer like HomeVestors® if the damage to your Atlanta house is extensive or if there are code violations. We have bought more than 150,000 homes across the country since the company was launched in 1996 and have earned excellent reviews from Atlanta home sellers.
Just contact us to get a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our friendly Atlanta property specialists. We’ll take a tour and answer your questions, sometimes providing an offer on the same day. If you accept our offer, we will do our best to work on a closing timeline that meets your needs because your priorities are our priorities.
Selling to us allows you to avoid the hassles of selling a weather-damaged house via a real estate agent or FSBO (for sale by owner). We have no hidden fees and pay typical closing costs. Our offers are below market value in exchange for speed and convenience. The entire process is streamlined and as stress-free as we can make it. Contact us soon to learn more!