As a first-time homeowner, I was not conscientious about regular upkeep.
I had always rented an apartment and never needed to worry about ongoing maintenance.
I wasn’t aware that the aerators on the faucets needed to be periodically rinsed or that I should drain the water heater once or twice per year. I neglected the gutters and HVAC filters. Unfortunately, I never gave the dryer vent a thought. I didn’t notice when my clothes took much longer to try. I paid no attention when linens came out of the dryer feeling hot to the touch. Lint build-up in the dryer vent eventually caught fire. I was not at home at the time. I’d also never gotten around to installing smoke detectors. The fire caused extensive damage before the fire department showed up. Plus, the fireman caused further damage by putting the fire out. The house was just about a total loss. My homeowner’s insurance was not helpful. There was no possibility of the property meeting local safety codes, qualifying for a mortgage or passing an inspection. Listing the property for sale by conventional means wasn’t a feasible option. I also couldn’t afford to invest in such extensive repairs. After a bit of research, I found a cash home buyer that has established a solid reputation throughout the Jacksonville area. I contacted them via an online form and received an offer within 24 hours. I avoided the hassle and expense of dealing with fire and smoke damage. I was able to walk away from the property in less than two weeks. Because the cash home buyer paid for the house in-full, I was able to put a down payment on a nicer property.