REDINGTON BEACH, Florida. – While many face painful rebuilds that will cost thousands of dollars and take months, some homeowners are opting out by putting their damaged by storm homes for sale “as is”.

The complicated process tempts people to back out quickly, but real estate agents warn them to be wary of wholesalers, buying properties under contract and then reselling the contract to another buyer, usually within 30 days — all while realizing tens of thousands of profits.

“They buy houses at a deep discount, and then they try to sell them, and they make money quickly, and then they sell them to a real investor who will then flip them. So, they’re just middlemen.” , said Denise Antonewitz, a real estate agent. “They’re trying to overturn the contract, that’s for sure. And if you call them, I’ve called them about it, and they tell me no, that’s not what they’re doing. But then we find the house on a website for $30-40,000 more than the contract price.

READ: Floridians sell destroyed homes after damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton

She suggested people slow down and wait for insurance, then list on an open market and wait for legitimate buyers. In many cases in Florida, the property value is still worth a lot.

“You’re going to find real end buyers,” she said. “Maybe someone’s had one flood in 30 (years). We’ve had a lot of things like that where it was the first flood they’ve ever had. Why would you say why would a buyer Are you afraid to buy this house? It’s in a great neighborhood. You know, there’s a good chance it will flood once every 60 years.

Another Redington Beach real estate agent said one should not accept low-price offers because it will ultimately affect the property values ​​of the entire neighborhood.

“People are nervous about the value of their properties, but believe it or not, the value of their land is worth a lot of money, so take that into consideration before selling it at any time.”

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