How do I keep my NC house from getting beyond repair?

A house is considered beyond repair when there’s no way to fix it in a way that makes good financial sense. This means if your house is going to cost you more to fix it than to sell it for the cost of your land, it’s beyond repair. 

Let’s start by looking at water damage, which can be particularly harmful to your home. Here are some ways to prevent this:

• Clean your gutters to avoid water pouring down the side of your house

• Ensure that your gutters are directing the water away from your house

• Take care of any leaks to prevent the spread of rot, mold, and mildew 

You can check for leaks by monitoring your water bill and water meter. Plus, you can look for puddles in areas that see a lot of water use, such as at the base of your shower or underneath your dishwasher. 

Water from a leaky faucet can also attract insects such as termites and carpenter ants, leading to further structural damage. This is why I recommend having your home inspected for such pests, especially if you live in a wooded area, so you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home isn’t being infested by wood-eaters. 

In addition, water damage can rot your wood. If you see this, you’ll want to be sure to repair it.

To guard against potential fire damage, make sure your smoke alarms are working correctly and keeping a fire extinguisher easily accessible.

Finally, I suggest inspecting your roof at least once a year. If you want to check your roof from the ground, use a pair of binoculars or a drone if you have access to one. Also look for buckling, missing, or broken shingles; patches of moss; and any cracks.

Start by checking with your insurance company. Your insurance policy may cover some, if not all, of the repair services you need. 

You may also qualify for government aid. In particular, FEMA may be able to help if you’ve been hit by a hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster.

Here are a few services I suggest using for your NC home services needs:

• Ace Handyman Services
• Craftsman Direct
• Home Services at the Home Depot 
• Lowe’s Home Services
• Mr. Handyman
• Revive HVAC
• Sage Pest Control

In my experience, many real estate investors will only purchase the land that a beyond-repair home is on. So you will only get the price for any land you have. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t make a profit on your home, especially given how land prices are continuing to rise in NC.

Whether you’re in Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, or any of the surrounding areas we serve in North Carolina, we’d love to take a look at your property to see if we can make a fair cash offer. And since we’re the investors, you won’t have to haggle with a middleman.