High winds are often an issue in Jacksonville, Florida.
Along with power outages, we experience torrential downpours and lots of falling branches.
After a heavy windstorm, it’s not unusual to find a great deal of debris scattered across the lawn. About eight months ago, during a particular violent storm, a large tree fell on our house. It caused substantial damage to all of the major structural components. We were fortunate that no one was hurt. The tree collapsed a large portion of the roof. We sustained broken windows and destroyed ceilings and walls. There were huge problems with the electrical system, plumbing pipes and ductwork. Plus, the root system pulled up through the ground and disrupted a huge area. It created issues with the septic and damaged the foundation of the house. It was the neighbor’s tree that fell on our house. According to Florida law, the neighbor is not liable. We expected our homeowner’s insurance to pay for damages. Instead, the policy only covered the cost of removing the tree. We were offered up to $1000. With such extensive problems, we weren’t sure what to do. Listing the house for sale through traditional methods would have meant accepting a lot less than the property was worth. After a lot of debate and considering a variety of options, we decided to contact a buyer for cash. We found a family-owned company with a solid reputation for reasonable offers and swift, smooth closings. They buy homes in any condition. Once I submitted the online form, we were provided an offer within an hour. It turned out to be our best solution and got us out of the house within two weeks.