Real Estate

Each day 14,000 Americans face damage to their home due to water problems. Between broken pipes, leaky windows, bad roofs and malfunctioning appliances the scope of the damage can vary greatly, but either way it means a big, soggy, potentially moldy, mess.

If you are dealing with water damage to your home and are wondering about selling a house with water damage or considering using a restoration service to help with the problem, read on for some options to consider.

Common Sources of Water Damage

There are two main categories of water damage. The first is plumbing or appliance problems. Less common, but just as damaging is weather-related such as rain, snow or burst pipes from a freeze. With 98% of basements experiencing water damage in their lifetime, it’s a problem you’re likely to experience during home ownership.

Type of Water Damage

The possibility of selling a house with water damage depends in part on what type of water damage you’re dealing with. There are three categories of water that can harm your home:

• Category 1: White Water
  This type of problem can still cause a lot of damage but is generally easier to address because the problem stems from a hygienic source like a broken pipe, rainwater or melting snow.
• Category 2: Gray Water
  This type of damage can be more costly and happens when the water damaging your home has been exposed to contaminants. This could mean bath water or a leaking washing machine or dishwasher.
• Category 3: Black Water
  The most expensive and potentially dangerous, this type of water damage may contain pathogenic or toxic contaminants from sewage. This happens from toilet backflows and sea, river or lake water.

Keep in mind that within days, clean or even gray water can turn into black water by becoming toxic by what it come in contact with so it’s crucial that homeowners take quick action when water damage is spotted. Quick action is the key when faced with water damage, to prevent toxicity, mold and irreparable damage.

How Bad Is It?

Determining if you can sell your house with water damage also depends on how extensive the damage is. The Institute of International Cleaning and Restoration Certification has determined 4 classes of water damage:

• Class 1: Minimal amount of water to a mostly non-porous area (i.e. tile floors). It’s easy to remove the moisture and it can dry out.
• Class 2: Significant amount of water. Areas with carpet or other medium to high porous materials got wet.
• Class 3: A great amount of water absorption. This includes carpet, wall and ceiling boards.
• Class 4: Most damaging with the majority of moisture trapped in the building materials. This level may require long drying times, specialized methods or new construction.

Challenges of Selling a House with Water Damage

The severity of the water damage will determine how likely it will be to able to sell your home as-is. These are some factors to consider as the seller and a potential house buyer:

Less Money

Any type of home facing damage is going to be looking at a lower selling price. Because you are selling a home as-is you are putting the risk and cost of the water damage in the hands of the new owners and they will expect a lower selling price to offset that liability. This is an option if the water damage isn’t too extensive or if you have no cash to pay to repair the home before selling.

Possibility of Electrical Damage

When water leaks through a roof in particular you are looking at a potential for electricity issues to crop up. This added potential for issues in the home is another reason why it could be more challenging to attract buyers to a home with water damage.

Possibility of Health Concerns

Water problems can quickly turn into mold problems. Within days of a water leak fungi and mold and musty odors can become present. Mold can trigger allergies and health issues from the microbial organisms.

Possibility of Future Damage

If you are living in a flood zone or you have a pipe or appliance problem that hasn’t been properly addressed then there is always a potential for future damage. Knowing a home has water damage will cause any potential home buyer to be more cautious considering that those problems could occur again.

Using a Home Restoration Service

If you have the cash to put towards using a home restoration service then you’ll have the peace of mind that the problem is addressed properly and that peace of mind will transfer to potential house buyers as well.

A home restoration service can provide 24/7 emergency response so you can address the problem in that small window of time before it has a chance to do more damage. These types of companies often offer free damage estimates and are willing to work with your homeowners insurance. They are prepared to deal with the water extraction, removal, cleanup and even damage repair so all the in’s and out’s of the problem will be addressed by a professional. A home restoration service is a quick and efficient solution to dealing with a water problem, especially if you are hoping to put your home on the market.

Selling to a House Buying Company

If you aren’t having any luck selling your home to a traditional buyer or you don’t have the funds to repair your home before selling you could consider selling to a house buying company. House buying companies like Gary Buys Houses are used to dealing with homes in less-than optimal condition and will make a fair cash offer on your home as-is. Working with a house buying company allows you to sell your home without the time, stress and cash needed to make the repairs yourself.

If you’re getting ready to sell your home, the last thing you want to worry about is problems coming up in the home inspection that could delay or impact the selling process. While not as common as others issues that might come up on an inspection, electrical problems, especially on older homes, can cause delay issues for home sellers. If your home has had wiring issues, or an old electrical service panel, you might want to consider these 5 things you need to know before selling a home with electrical issues.

What Electrical Upgrades Might Your House Need?

If you are hoping to sell your home for the best selling price possible it’s important that a seller sees your home as up-to-date for this technology driven era (i.e. lots of outlets!), and without any electrical issues that make an older beautiful home look like an old electrical headache.

Here are some electrical upgrades your house might need to bring in a traditional buyer and a good sales price:

• Update Wiring Systems

  If you are aware that your home has old wiring systems, such as knob and tube and aluminum wiring (which, by the way, is a leading cause of home fires), you will not draw in many buyers. This type of wiring also is a problem for getting good homeowners insurance and will turn away a traditional buyer. For safety reasons and to keep up with the load that our modern electronics need, your entire home would need to be rewired with solid copper wire and adequate grounding.

• Old Electrical Service

Your home should be wired to take in 200-amps, not the outdated 60-amps that older homes used. 60-amps isn’t enough to support the amount of fixtures, appliances and outlet needs a family uses.

• 3-Prong Outlets are Necessary

  No amount of charm in your older home can have a home buyer overlooking 2-prong outlets all over the place. In the digital age we live in a 3-prong outlet is a must for usability and to be properly grounded for safety.

• Need More Outlets

  Older homes are often equipped with one outlet in a bed room, but todays home buyer will be looking for multiple outlets in each room and conveniently located as well.

• Problematic Circuit Breaker Panel

  All the wiring in your house should run through your circuit breaker panel. Having an up-to-date panel with all of the parts in functioning order is a must for selling your house. If you are dealing with an outdated bulb style panel, recalled panel, or undersized panel these are all issues that should be addressed before listing your home.

•  GFCIs

  Any outlet in a bathroom, kitchen, garage, basement or other wet location needs to be GFCI equipped to prevent the risk of electric shock. These devices monitor the electrical current and will cut it off if an imbalance is detected. If you aren’t sure if your home is GFCI equipped or you’ve run into some of the issues listed above then you might want to consider having an electrical home inspection done before selling your house.

What is an Electrical Home Inspection

Electrical inspections are sometimes requested by lenders when refinancing your home and can be requested during a home inspection if problems with the electrical system of your home show up. You should consider having an electrical home inspection done if your home is 40 years old or older, your house has undergone a major renovation or you’ve added major new appliances in the last 10 years. A simple google search will bring up licensed electricians or electrical contractors near you that can perform these type of inspections. An electrician will check all the outlets in your home and go over your electrical panel and wiring. They use special tools to determine amps and safety, giving you a thorough report of what might need to be upgraded or repaired in order to sell your home for your asking price.

Cost of an Electrical Inspection

The actual cost of an inspection will vary depending on the size of your house, the contractor you use and whether you the seller, the buyer, a lender or insurance company request the inspection. A general price estimate to plan for would be anywhere from $150 to $200, not including the cost of any upgrades or repairs that they recommend you make to your electrical system.

What Electrical Problems Can Make or Break Your Ability to Sell Your Home

While some problems are an easier fix, other electrical problems can hold up the house selling process or leave you without any buyers. Electrical problems often scare off buyers as they are linked with thousands of electrical fires each year. If you were to rewire a 1,200 sq. ft. home it can average over $10,000 while simpler problems like frayed wiring and faulty light switches cost the hourly rate of an electrician near you at a more manageable $65-$85 per hour. If you have inherited an older home, or live in an older home, you might be looking at costly electrical repairs before you can sell the home.

Selling a House to a Cash Buyer

Oftentimes these types of expensive repairs can be prohibitive to selling a home. If you don’t have the cash to make the repairs up front before selling then you might not get any interested buyers willing to take on the problem, even with a lower selling price. If you are in this situation you should consider reaching out to us, your trusted Utah house buying company to get an honest and fast quote.

We buy houses in as-is condition and regularly work with contractors and electricians to bring houses up to code and in proper working order. We are willing to take on the risk and purchase the property from you outright. Whether you inherited an older home or you live in a home that has outdated electrical problems, you can trust that a we will give you a fair quote and cash offer allowing you to sell your home without any further problems.

Are you dealing with cockroaches in Utah? Cockroaches are an insect of nightmares and creepy films and for good reason: These pests get their fearful reputation from weird but true facts like their ability to hold their breath and be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without harm, or the fact that their unique circulatory system means they can lose their head but still survive for a full week before finally dying of thirst.

What happens if the nightmare hits close to home and you find yourself with a house full of those stubborn, hard-to-kill roaches? What do you do if you have cockroaches in Utah and you’re looking to sell your home? Roach problems can become a big problem when you are hoping to sell your house quickly. Read on for tips for dealing with, identifying the bugs as well as selling a house with cockroaches in Utah.

Do Cockroaches Live in Utah?

With over 4,000 species of these creepy critters world round, it’s no surprise that even Utah has its share of cockroaches. The type of cockroaches you’ll come across in the Beehive State are generally between 1/2 an inch to 2 inches in length and have 6 legs. Unfortunately Utah also gets the winged variety and while they can fly, most cockroaches choose to climb vertical surfaces rather than fly. Utah cockroaches tend to be flat and oval and will feel oily to the touch.

What Attracts Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are hardy insects and can make their way into your home through grocery bags or produce or boxes that come from the store. If you live in a twin home and share your walls with a neighbor any pest problem they have can easily make their way to you, making the problem extra difficult to be rid of. Cockroaches can travel through drains, cracks in the walls and your vent system. Once in your home they’ll seek out moist humid areas and places with plenty of hiding opportunities so they can stay out of sight during the daytime. Cockroaches make a feast of dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs on the floor or counters, open garbage, pet food and moisture and open food of any kind.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

More than just an annoying pest, cockroaches can damage your home and even be a health hazard. Cockroaches are good at hiding and breed quickly, multiplying your infestation problem over a short period of time. During the day the insects stay out of sight, breeding and waiting until nightfall when they come out in force in your home, preying on spoiled food in the kitchen and bathroom.

These bugs are disease carriers and leave a trail of disease wherever they go in your home. This can create a health problem for your family leading to sickness and infection. Because they breed so quickly and can even develop resistance to pesticides, cockroaches in Utah are a serious problem for your home and family. Cockroaches are filthy creatures that feed on garbage, breed on sewage and lay waste all over your kitchen counters.

According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches are known or suspected carriers of the microorganisms that can cause diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, typhoid fever and viral diseases, such as poliomyelitis. While they aren’t a leading cause of disease spread, their presence in your home does mean there is a chance your family can become ill from catching what they are carrying. Current research shows that asthma and other allergies can be worse if you have cockroaches in the home as well.

Getting Rid of Cockroaches

While cockroaches can last an entire month without food, they will only survive for one week without water. With this dependency you’ll want to check humid and high-moisture places around your home such as the basement or bathroom to find their hiding places.

Cleanliness to the extreme is your first step in fighting an infestation. Cockroaches are attracted to dirt and filth for ready access to hide and breed and feed. Before going to sleep make sure every dish has been washed and put away. Ensure the floor is clear of crumbs or spills and has been mopped recently and the garbage has been taken out. Wash the grease off the stovetop and make sure all the food in the pantry is sealed in containers.

The second line of defense is store bought traps to kill the cockroaches. These traps can be purchased at most supermarkets or home improvement stores and will use a scent or bait to attract the roaches, catching them on a sticky surface. This type of trap takes awhile to capture all the bugs so monitor the progress and be patient.

A store bought roach killing liquid concentrate can be applied to cracks and crevices as well. This type of killer is purchased as a liquid concentrate and then diluted in a spray bottle or even a mop bucket and you can mop the floor with the killing liquid concentrate. This type of defense sees big results even overnight.

Roach baits can also be affective, these chemical baits appear to be food to cockroaches but after ingesting the bait, the cockroaches return to their nest and die. Other cockroaches feast on the dead roach, spreading the poison to the rest of the nest.

Finally, if you do NOT have furry pets at home, you can try using boric acid as a home remedy against cockroaches. Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour and sugar into a dough and then leave the balls of dough out for a cockroaches to feast on. The flour and sugar attracts the bugs and the boric acid will kill them. Once again, while this is effective for killing roaches it’s also very harmful if you have pets.

If you want to take care of the problem quickly and throughly, contact a local pest removal company for help without the hassle.

Selling Your House With a Bug Problem

Showing a house with any type of bug issue is a red flag for potential buyers. Not only that but when you pack up to move those same cockroaches will just be moving with you and bringing the bug problems to your new home in every box and hidden spot of furniture. Clearing your home of bugs before listing your house is the best way to move forward to guarantee a better sale price. If you are in a situation where the bugs keep returning and the problem is recurring a traditional buyer will not likely be interested in purchasing a home with cockroaches in Utah.

At GaryBuysHouses, we are your local, non-traditional house buyer. We are highly trusted and offer you the perfect go-to option for selling your house that has problems like pests, even if the issue is extensive. We can easily make an honest cash offer to purchase your house and take on the liability and cost of repairs, pest control and updates. If you find yourself in a problem with a house overrun by pests and illness, cost or anxiety lead you to needing to sell your home fast reach out to us here.

According to data collected by the Labor Department, U.S. employers shed nearly 30 million jobs from payrolls this spring due to covid-19 pandemic and the economic shutdowns that went with it. If you were part of that staggering number of newly unemployed or you have lost your job due to other reasons, you have felt the stress of not knowing what to do with your home when facing unemployment. If you haven’t been able to get back on your feet and you aren’t able to pay for your mortgage and other expenses, what can you do?

Unemployment Benefits

To supplement your income while you search for a job your first step could be to look into applying for unemployment. If you have lost your income due to the coronavirus then even independent contractors and other workers who are ordinarily ineligible for unemployment benefits might qualify under the CARES Act signed into law by President Trump in March of 2020. Contact your state’s unemployment office for information on qualifying for and receiving unemployment.

While this income can help, it is not going to cover the amount of money that your salary was. Unemployment benefits also do not cover health insurance so keep in mind that if you cancel your health insurance you are running the risk of wracking up expensive health bills if an emergency does come up during your unemployment.

Budgeting your unemployment money while searching for a new job is one option that can help you to keep your home while you search for a new job.

Mortgage Helps

For the average American, the largest expense is their housing. The typical mortgage makes up approximately 18-30% of a family’s income. Paying a mortgage is often the top concern for homeowners dealing with job loss. The good news is that there are some options that could help you to cover your mortgage payments.

If you reach out to your lender to let them know about your job loss then they can sometimes work with you. In certain situations lenders may be willing to refinance for a lower payment, temporarily accept partial payments or even suspend the mortgage for a few months. If your lender is unwilling to work with you on your mortgage then reaching out to community groups, nonprofits and churches might have emergency funds to help you in the short-term.

Selling Your House due to Covid

If you’ve reached the point where the first two options aren’t enough to get you by and you still can’t cover your expenses then you might need to sell your house. Selling a house due to covid job loss situations can be a big undertaking in the best of times but facing this type of upheaval on the heels of a job loss can make putting your home on the market extra stressful.

One option is to consider downsizing and finding a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. If you had equity in your home then the sale could free up some cash that could help you make ends meet until you are employed again.

There is no average time it takes for a person to find a new job and when looking in the middle of a pandemic there are no easy ways to predict how long you could be unemployed. Choosing to sell your home can help you to save as much money as possible while you work towards a steady income.

Selling Your Home Quickly

Working with a realtor might not be an option if your time and money is extra tight due to your situation. If you need to sell your house fast and without the closing costs, fees or commissions then you might want to work with your local Utah house buyer at Gary Buys Houses.

Non-traditional house buyers like Gary are ready to buy houses from people like you who need help asap.  The process is straightforward and simple. Reach out to Gary via the website or by calling or texting 801-382-9199. We are happy to answer any questions or even make an offer over the phone. We schedule a time to meet at your home and discuss your needs and present you with a fair written offer. We then can close at a local reputable title company, getting the cash in your hands in as little as 2 days. With us you can trust that your home will be purchased in as-is condition, no extra stress and money on repairs AND no fees or closing costs.

Need More Time?

Moving is a big upheaval, especially if you have a family to think about.  If you need to sell your home quickly but you haven’t worked out where you will go next, or you need a month or two to wrap up the kids school year before starting somewhere new, then we also offer a Cash Now, Sell Later program. You can sell to Gary Buys Houses now and stay in your home RENT FREE while you use the money you got to find your new home. You can also close on your home 2-3 months from now, you’ll get the security of knowing your house is sold while still maintaining ownership of the house. Still need more flexibility? Contact Gary and work out a solution for your situation.

Short sales — when a lender works with borrowers in financial trouble to sell their homes for less than their unpaid mortgage– account for a small percentage of home sales each year. If you have found yourself dealing with divorce, death, medical emergencies or job loss then you could be in a situation where you need to work with your bank to put your home up for a short sale.

One of the first things a lender will require is for the homeowner  to write a letter providing proof of their financial hardship along with documentation to back up your claim. You can visit our other article following for the in’s and out’s of the best things to do when writing that short sale hardship letter. For a list of things you do NOT want to include in a hardship short sale letter, read below.

1- Keep it Brief

More words won’t necessarily help your cause. An effective short sale hardship letter should be kept to one type written page. With the recent pandemic putting more people out of work your lender might be dealing with a higher-than-normal amount of short sale letters. Don’t get yours shoved to the bottom of the pile because it is long-winded and overly wordy. Lenders don’t need your life story, they need a clear and concise description of the hardship you’re facing, an explanation of how you’ve tried to solve the problem and why the short sale is the only realistic option for you.

2- Don’t Make it Hopeful

A short sale hardship letter is in effect a persuasive letter to negotiate a short sale because you cannot make your mortgage payments. When you invite some hope in to your letter — for example, implying that you believe the financial troubles will only be temporary — then the bank is not likely to approve your short sale. You might have hope that your finances will improve soon but your lender will not move forward with a short sale if your situation is only temporary. Banks approve these types of sales when it is clear that the financial situation of the homeowner won’t improve any time soon and that a short sale is a better option than letting the property fall into inevitable foreclosure.

3- Don’t Write Too Soon

4- Don’t Mention Any Available Outside Money

5- Don’t Write About Questionable Activities

If any part of your financial hardship is related to gambling, drugs or alcohol or jail time you’re not going to have an easy time convincing the lender to work with you. The lenders are more willing to consider short sales if the homeowner has been responsible, can show they are trying to pay their debts but have no other recourse than a short sale. When a lender receives several letters asking for a short sale, the letters that need help due to job loss or medical emergencies are more likely to get approved.

6- Don’t Blame Your Lender

A hardship short sale letter should not be the place to point fingers and list all your grievances with people, the economy, your boss or anyone else who has wronged you and led to your financial situation. Sending anger and blame to your lender is a definite no-no if you’re asking for help and consideration. Even if you do feel frustrated or wronged by your lender, don’t use your letter to express yourself in that way. Keep your details factual and without negative emotion to be seriously considered for a short sale.

7- Don’t Just Use a Short Sale Hardship Template

Your short sale letter won’t be read by a robot so don’t use a one-size-fits-all template to appeal your case. You are writing to a human being, describing your unique situation and your letter should reflect that. Templates however can be very helpful tools. They let you know the format for your letter and can give you an idea of how to write one and how long they should be. Short sale hardship templates should not be used as your actual letter by copying and pasting in your name and the banks name.

If you don’t know where you start you can check out our template, but remember to use it as an example and reference, not as a word-for-word guide for your own letter.

Final Tips For a Successful Hardship Short Sale Letter

When writing your letter focus on being brief, clear and concise. Clearly state your claim and provide proof of how circumstances are beyond your control and how there is no hope of your situation turning around quickly. Always be truthful and professional. A hardship letter can be considered a legally binding document after all.