We Get You Back To Normal, FAST! – We Restore Peace of Mind.™ – ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – Fire Damage Restoration
With home prices in the Chicago area skyrocketing, people are willing to do almost anything to get a good deal, including buying a fire damaged home. That could be a good investment because those buildings cost less and may even be negotiated to a lower price. But before doing so, you must know the answers to the following three questions.
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How Deep Was the Fire Damage?
How much a fire-damaged house has suffered can determine whether it’s worth purchasing to live in or flipping. If the damage is only cosmetic (e.g., just the carpet and walls were scorched), that wouldn’t be too big of a deal. But if the destruction is more profound and affects the subfloors, joists, plumbing, or the HVAC, then you’re talking serious money, and it might not be worth your time or effort.
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How Long Ago?
How long since the fire occurred? You might want to pass if the house has sat for a while and needs fire damage cleanup without any repairs. The longer fire damage is allowed to sit, the more deterioration occurs. Soot and ash are acidic and can cause irreversible property damage if not treated immediately. They can cause the metal in plumbing fixtures, lights, etc., to pit or corrode. Glass in windows and mirrors can be etched by soot, making them look cloudy and soiled. Appliances, fabrics, plastics, and vinyl windows may be permanently discolored by ash and soot.
Fire and water damage are usually linked because firefighters extinguish flames with thousands of gallons of water. Additionally, destruction from a fire can open up a Chicago area house to rain, snow, and sleet. If that water isn’t immediately removed and dried up, it can cause severe problems with mold. Water is a solvent, so it’ll slowly erode and destroy many structural elements in a home if not dealt with promptly. These problems must be handled by restoration professionals who have the equipment and know-how to repair and preserve the property.
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Is There Hidden Damage?
It can be hard to tell if a fire damaged home has structural damage from a fire by just eyeballing it. That’s why you need a home inspection before buying. But you should also contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for a walkthrough and consultation. We’ll give you an educated idea of how much structural damage exists and a rough estimate of what it’ll cost to repair. With that information, you can negotiate a better deal to ensure a higher return on your investment in the fire damaged home.
2023 Illinois Fire Statistics Report
• Illinois fire departments responded to 1,543,427 incidents in 2023.
• 40,682 of those incidents were fires including:
• 17,439 structure fires.
• 6,521 vehicle fires
• These fires resulted in nearly $554 million in property damage.
• 131 persons were killed in Illinois due to fire.
• 66% of all fire deaths occurred in the home.
• 49% of all fatal fires were in buildings with smoke alarms.
• In 2023, Illinois saw an 8% increase in fires compared to 2022.
• The number one known cause of fires in Illinois is cooking.
• A fire is reported every 13 minutes in Illinois.
• Every 21 seconds, an Illinois fire department responds to an emergency.
• Mutual aid was given from other fire departments on 103,950 incidents.
• 137,711incidents were determined to be false calls.
• Illinois fire departments responded to 1,085,970 rescue and medical emergencies.
Professional Help Increases the Value
House-flipping and restoring shows on TV make it look fun, quick, and lucrative. But the reality is that fire damaged homes can be a lot of work. It may become a nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing.
The best way to buy a house with fire damage in the Chicagoland area is to call us. We can do the needed fire restoration work to make the home livable and help turn it into a profitable investment.