water damaged plaster

Any time a home hits the market there are always the proverbial skeletons in the closet that buyers should watch out for before purchasing the home. In the case of water damage, this is especially important due to how much time and money it could take to properly repair. Repairing water damage requires professional assistance to ensure it’s properly done. Here is what to know about buying a house with water damage.

Ask the Right Questions

You must be prepared to ask questions when looking for potential homes. In many states, sellers are required to disclose knowledge of any material damage in the house. This includes anything that could negatively impact the sale price of the house, such as flood damage. Common questions to ask the seller include:

  • Do you know the source of the water damage?
  • How long was there sitting water in the home?
  • Was the house properly cleaned and inspected or just repainted?
  • Has an electrician checked the wiring in the walls to make sure there’s no corrosion?

Have the Home Inspected

The first step in the home buying process should always and forever be to get the house inspected before purchasing. Hiring a home inspector to come in can save you a lot of money and hassle down the line. Search for a reputable service to do the inspection and pay careful attention to any and all recommendations before signing off on buying the home. If there is water damage, get a second opinion to reach a better understanding of the scope of the damage.

Get a Repair Quote

After getting the home inspected, have a contractor come out to inspect the damage before agreeing to buy. The contractor should be able to tell you more information about the condition of the home, as well as any damage that occurred because of the flooding. Get an estimate for repair costs so you can negotiate the cost out of the house’s selling price.

Purchase Insurance

If you decide to buy the home knowing there’s been water damage in the past, the best thing you can do is purchase a home-owners insurance policy covering water damage. This will save you from having to potentially pay out of pocket to cover future repairs. And if a home has flooded once, it can always happen again.

Being prepared when buying a house with water damage can save you a lot of hassle down the road. If you find that your new home requires water mitigation services, call the remediation experts at Aloha Restoration today.

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