Brevard County · Selling
Selling a home that needs major repairs in Brevard County
Compare selling as-is for cash with fixing and listing, in what you’d keep.
Free · Agents who know Brevard County · Every step in one app
If your home needs big repairs, you may feel stuck. Maybe the roof is old, the air conditioning is failing, or there is damage you have not had the money or energy to fix. It is easy to feel embarrassed, or to worry that nobody will want it, or that you will be taken advantage of.
Homes that need work sell every day. Some buyers want a project, some investors buy as-is, and some buyers can finance repairs into their loan. What matters is knowing which repairs change your price the most, what you are required to tell buyers, and what you would keep under each path.
You have a clear choice to make, and you do not have to make it blind: compare selling as-is with fixing first, in real dollars, before you spend a cent.
What’s different for you
- Know the big items. Roof, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning matter most to buyers and insurers.
- Compare as-is and fixed. See what you’d keep selling as-is for cash against fixing and listing.
- Disclose what you know. Florida sellers must tell buyers about known problems they can’t easily see.
When you start in CloseHive from this page, your plan already includes these steps, along with the usual ones for selling in Brevard County. You always see what to do next, and your agent handles the how.
What to know
The big items buyers and insurers look at
Roof, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical and any water damage matter most. They affect whether a buyer can insure the home and whether some loans can close. Knowing their age and condition, even roughly, helps you price the home honestly and avoid surprises after the inspection.
Roof age and insurance in Florida
Florida law says an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowner's policy based only on the age of a roof less than 15 years old. For a roof 15 years or older, the insurer must let the homeowner get a roof inspection by an authorized inspector before requiring a replacement, and cannot refuse coverage based only on age if the inspection shows at least 5 years of useful life left. Buyers ask about this because they need insurance to close.
You must disclose what you know
Florida's courts have said a home seller must tell the buyer about known facts that materially affect the value, are not easy to see, and that the buyer does not know. Selling as-is limits what you agree to repair, but it does not remove this duty. Write down what you know, including past repairs.
Florida's flood questions
Before or when the contract is signed, a Florida seller must answer three yes or no questions: whether flooding damaged the home while they owned it, whether they filed a flood insurance claim, and whether they got flood help such as from FEMA.
Some buyers can finance the repairs
HUD's 203(k) program lets a buyer buy a home and pay for repairs with one FHA-insured loan. The Standard 203(k) is for major or structural work. HUD raised the Limited 203(k) limit for non-structural work from $35,000 to $75,000 in 2024 and reviews it each year. This can widen your pool of buyers if the home cannot pass a regular loan's standards.
Permits matter
Work done without permits can come up during a sale and may need to be permitted or corrected. If you plan repairs, ask the local building department which work needs a permit, and keep the final inspection records.
Taxes and improvements
IRS Publication 523 explains that the cost of improvements, like a new roof or an addition, is added to your basis (the amount used to figure your gain), which can lower taxable gain. Ordinary repairs like fixing a leak or painting generally are not. Keep receipts.
Your options
What to gather
- The age of the roof, AC, water heater and electrical panel, if known
- Any past inspection, four-point or wind mitigation reports
- Permits and receipts for past work
- Insurance claims history, including any flood claims or FEMA help
- Written repair bids from licensed contractors for the big items
- A written as-is net and a fixed-up net from a local agent
- A list of known problems, for your disclosures
- Your mortgage payoff amount
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting big repairs before comparing. Some repairs cost more than they add. Get a written as-is net and a fixed-up net first.
- Hiding damage behind fresh paint. Covering a known problem can lead to claims after closing. Disclose it and let the price reflect it.
- Doing work without permits. Unpermitted work can slow or stop a sale. Ask the building department first.
- Taking one low offer because the home needs work. Get more than one offer and compare in dollars you would keep.
Brevard County in numbers
- The typical home in Brevard County is worth about $339,600, and 77% of homes are lived in by their owners.
- Typical rent here is about $1,556 a month, including utilities.
Free help
Questions people ask
Do I have to fix everything before selling?
No. Many homes sell as-is; the price reflects the repairs.
Do I have to fix everything before selling?
No. Many homes sell as-is, and the price reflects the repairs. Some fixes, like a failing roof or AC, can open the home to more buyers, so compare both paths.
Can I sell a house as-is in Florida?
Yes. As-is means you are not agreeing to make repairs, but you must still disclose known problems that affect value and are not easy to see.
Will an old roof stop my sale?
It can make insurance harder for the buyer. Florida law limits when an insurer can refuse coverage based only on roof age, and a roof inspection may help.
Can a buyer get a loan on a home that needs work?
Some can. HUD's 203(k) loan lets buyers finance repairs into the mortgage, and cash buyers do not need a loan.
Should I offer a credit instead of fixing things?
Often a credit is simpler, but the buyer's lender sets limits. Your agent can explain what fits your contract.
Do repairs lower my taxes when I sell?
Improvements are added to your basis, which can lower taxable gain. Ordinary repairs generally are not. Ask a CPA.