Selling a House with Storm Damage In San Francisco Bay Area

Natural disasters like storms, super typhoons, and hurricanes can seriously harm our properties no matter how well-prepared we are. These significant structural issues are often either impossible to fix or too expensive, so many homeowners opt to sell their property. But is it possible to quickly sell a house damaged by a storm?

It’s suggested to sell a house with storm damage if the problems are structural and fixing them would exceed the home’s market value. To sell a storm-damaged home fast, ask for a cash offer from an investor or cash buyer. These potential buyers operate off the market and can close in as little as seven days, they purchase properties as is. Put simply, they won’t require you to undertake any repairs.

Selling a House with Storm Damage In San Francisco Bay Area

For more information on handling a storm-damaged property, check out the rest of this blog! We cover your main options when selling, tips for selling fast, and all other nitty gritty details you may find helpful.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, storm damages cause an average of $34 billion in household losses every year. These property losses are often a combination of small and irreparable damages.

Common Home Damages Caused by Storms In San Francisco Bay Area

Roof damage is often a key concern for homeowner’s post-storm. Strong winds can dislodge shingles and lead to water infiltration, posing significant problems. In severe cases, the entire roof may be blown away, leaving the property vulnerable.

Typically, minor repairs for missing shingles can cost $800 to $950, while a full roof replacement could range from $5,000 to $10,000, varying based on home size. It’s suggested to consult your insurance provider to determine if coverage is available for these costly repairs.

Just like your roof, your house’s siding can get seriously damaged by hail or powerful winds from a storm. Your siding may crack or get torn off.

Since sidings shield your house from the outside, not fixing them can put your insulation at risk. It could also lead to bugs moving in and water wrecking things.

Typically, fixing siding can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,100, depending on how bad the damage is, what it’s made of, and where you are.

The gutters on your property gather rainwater and channel it away to safeguard the base of your home. If water gets in, your base can weaken over time, leading to structural issues in your home, like problems with the frame, windows, and doors.

It’s essential to deal with gutter damage promptly to avoid potential water-related issues. Typically, repairing minor gutter damage can cost between $200 and $500. However, if you need to replace all your gutters, it could set you back as much as $3,000.

During a storm, powerful winds may move or twist your windows. In severe instances, they could break or completely shatter. This risk applies to glass doors as well.

Additionally, water may seep into your doors, making them hard to shut. Repairing storm-damaged windows and doors, including addressing water damage, can cost anywhere from $50 to over $1,500.


Certainly. Storm damage can decrease a home’s worth, particularly if it requires major fixes such as replacing the roof or addressing foundation problems. Furthermore, if your property is in an area prone to natural disasters, its market value could significantly drop, making it challenging to sell for a profit if you choose to list it.

Does Storm Damage Devalue a House in San Francisco Bay Area

Your home insurance is supposed to pay for fixing storm damage and protecting you from repair costs, but many homeowners struggle to get compensation for big damages.

This is common because insurance companies try to avoid losing money on expensive claims.

Disputes often arise over whether the damage was truly caused by a storm or if it existed previously.

Does Insurance Compensate for Storm Damage in San Francisco Bay Area

Insurance companies often win these disputes, leaving homeowners without money for repairs. That’s why many decide to sell their house instead.

Yes, it’s possible to sell a home damaged by storms, but be prepared for a potentially longer selling process when you list it in the real estate market. This is because many potential buyers hesitate to purchase homes recently affected by natural disasters.

Additionally, selling a property in its current condition already tends to take time; imagine the added challenge if the damages are storm related. Most traditional buyers may struggle to secure a loan due to the necessary repairs mandated by lenders.

Can You Sell a Storm Damaged Home in San Francisco Bay Area

Your most advantageous option as the seller of a storm-damaged property is to find a cash buyer. They provide cash offers and won’t require you to make repairs. We’ll delve deeper into this topic in the following discussion.

If you plan to sell a storm-damaged home, it is wise to conduct a pre-sale inspection to gauge the damages, decide whether to make repairs or sell as-is and set a reasonable selling price.

What to Do Before Selling a Storm Damaged Home In San Francisco Bay Area

Conduct a Pre-Sale Home Inspection

Conducting a pre-sale home inspection when your house is hit by a storm prevents the risks of a sale from falling through. 

By conducting an inspection, you’ll identify necessary repairs, including those not immediately apparent, allowing you to address them before listing the property. This preemptive action ensures that when potential buyers inspect the property, there are no unpleasant surprises.

Additionally, the inspection report aids sellers in establishing a fair selling price and deciding whether to sell their home as is.

Decide Whether to Make Repairs

Once you learn what fixes are necessary after the initial inspection, you face a big choice: fix everything with a licensed contractor or sell as-is. 

For small issues, you may opt to fix them and sell them through real estate agents. But if your home needs significant repairs that you can’t manage financially, your only choice may be to sell without fixing them. This applies to homes damaged by natural disasters too.

If you choose to fix things, prioritize repairs that increase your property’s value.

Determine a Reasonable Sales Price

Selling a property with significant storm damage can pose challenges for profitability. Setting an excessively high selling price may deter potential buyers, so it’s important to adjust for the damages to keep the asking price fair.

A recommended approach is to conduct a comparative market analysis to gauge property prices in your locality. Once you have assessed the value of your property, you can deduct estimated repair costs if you are planning to sell as is.


Similar to selling other fixer-upper houses, you have three options— sell to a cash buyer, sell with a real estate agent, and sell via an auctioneer. Let’s look closely at your options to help you decide which is ideal for the current state of your property.

What to Do Before Selling a Storm Damaged Home In San Francisco Bay Area

In real estate, selling to a cash buyer or investor is often the quickest and easiest way to unload a damaged property. Many sellers prefer this route.

These buyers, who operate outside the traditional market, typically make offers within 48 hours and can close in as little as seven days. This is particularly beneficial if your property is in poor condition, and you need immediate funds to relocate.

One major advantage of working with cash buyers and investors is that they buy properties in any condition, including those damaged by storms. While you could attempt to sell such a property on the open market, the process is usually faster when dealing with experienced cash buyers.

Furthermore, there’s greater certainty when dealing with cash buyers. Since most traditional buyers struggle to secure mortgages for heavily damaged properties, cash buyers, who don’t rely on financing, can swiftly take care of any major issues.

The process of selling to a cash buyer is straightforward. Simply reach out to them or complete a form to receive a cash offer, review the contract, and sign to close the deal. Your funds will typically be deposited into your bank account on the chosen closing day. In many cases, cash buyers will inspect the property before finalizing their offer to ensure accuracy.

You could collaborate with a real estate agent specializing in selling damaged houses. These agents are well-versed in all facets of property transactions, including pricing strategies, presentation, advertising, and deal-making. Nevertheless, real estate agents typically charge a 6% commission.

If you opt for an agent-assisted sale, be prepared for a potentially lengthy process, possibly spanning months or even years, particularly if you sell your storm-damaged house as is. Agents list properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and most buyers prefer homes that are move-in ready.

A property auctioneer manages a real estate operation by selling damaged houses through auctions. They compile property details into auction catalogs and promote them to attract more bids, akin to the marketing methods used by real estate agents.

When selling a property through a property auctioneer, you must establish a minimum selling price. If the bids received do not surpass this price, the property will be sold at the minimum.

Property auctions conducted by auctioneers can occur either online or in person, with the highest bidder securing the purchase.


Selling a House with Storm Damage In San Francisco Bay Area

A storm-damaged property may need costly repairs exceeding its local market worth. If so, selling it as-is is better than fixing it.

While many choose to sell through real estate experts, asking for a cash offer is the quickest and least stressful option.

Ready to sell your storm-damaged house for cash in San Francisco Bay Area? Contact us at We Buy Houses in San Francisco Bay Area. We buy houses as-is, saving you from the hassle and expense of major repairs.

Complete the form below or call (408) 557-7554 to begin selling your storm-damaged house in San Francisco Bay Area.

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The Easiest Way To Sell Your House Fast In San Francisco Bay Area

You’re in the driver’s seat when you accept our cash offer for your house. We make the process simple, fast, and easy to follow when working with us. You have no obligation to accept our cash offer for your home when contacting us for a fair cash offer for your home. No matter the reason you want to sell your house, we want to buy your home as is. Remember that you get many benefits that include no real estate agent commissions, no cleaning, no improvements, and no stress. Our cash offer for your as-is house assures you of fast cash payment at closing with a reputable Title company. You can count on our company to give you a fair cash offer for your home! If you’re still thinking, “I need to sell my house fast”, calling us could be your best decision all day. 🙂

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Gagan Saini

Author: Saini

My name is Saini, and I founded the We Buy Houses in San Francisco Bay Area team with years of experience in the real estate industry. I have assisted numerous sellers in selling their homes quickly, “AS-IS”, and for a fair price.

He’s been featured in multiple publications including Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, LegalZoom, The Mortgage Report, Apartment Therapy, US News and World Report, and SuperMoney among others.

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