Any property you buy, unless it is brand new construction, comes with a history. It is a good idea to find out what that history is because, in some cases, it could have a very negative impact on the current state of the property. A home with a history of fire damage is one such example.
It is natural to wonder whether a home with some history of fire damage would be a good investment. The answer depends on how quickly the damage was treated after the fire and the way it was done. Fire leaves behind all kinds of toxic, hazardous substances that can linger for a very long time after the fire itself has been put out. Smoke damage is another huge problem, even when a fire is small and contained, the smoke that it produces can fill the whole building, leaving behind a lot of damage to clean up. If damage from smoke and fire is not cleaned up quickly and thoroughly, toxic substances could still be found in the home so this is something you will want to find out.
Water damage is another cause of long-term issues with fire-damaged properties. Firefighters must use a great deal of water to extinguish a fire which will sometimes cause more damage than the fire itself. Again, this damage must be thoroughly cleaned and treated swiftly in order to prevent the long-term damage associated with water intrusion, such as mold, etc.
How can you ensure you are making a wise investment when buying a property with a history of fire damage? Make sure that it is thoroughly inspected by a qualified home inspector who will check areas of the home that you will not see with a simple walk-through. This way you will know the home’s true condition.