Flood Damage · St Petersburg, FL
We Buy St Pete Houses buys flood-damaged homes as-is across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, whether they've been gutted or not. You get a written cash offer, usually within 24 hours, and can close in as little as 7 days, with no repairs, no commissions and no fees.
Selling as-is means you don’t have to manage contractor waitlists, permit reviews or the city’s 49% rule yourself. In flood hazard areas, that rule can require a substantially damaged home to be elevated or rebuilt. You walk away with a clear number and a closing date you choose.
Not sure whether to repair, list or sell? Call us. We'll walk you through your options honestly, including when fixing and listing makes more sense.
First it's the water line on the walls. Then the drywall comes out, the fans run for days, and the adjuster's visit turns into weeks of back-and-forth. Contractors are booked out, permit rules feel confusing, and every month the house sits empty costs you money.
If you'd rather sell than spend the next year rebuilding, that's a reasonable choice, not giving up.
You don't need a finished repair plan or a closed insurance claim to call us. Tell us where things stand and we'll help you see your options.
Repair cost, as a share of the structure's pre-damage value, that triggers substantial damage rules in St. Petersburg's flood hazard areas
Source: City of St. Petersburg →Share of St. Petersburg that falls inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, according to the city's floodplain manager
Source: St Pete Catalyst →How fast we can close once you accept our offer
Fees, agent commissions or repair costs when you sell to us
There's no single right answer after a flood. The best path depends on how bad the damage is, whether the 49% rule applies, and how much time and money you can put in. Here's how the three main options compare.
Usually fits when the damage is limited, repairs can be permitted, and you can fund the work up front. Watch for contractor and permit delays, elevation or code requirements, carrying costs, and the risk that the repaired price doesn't cover what you spent.
Usually fits when you want market exposure and can handle showings, inspections and buyers who need financing. Watch for commissions, repair credits, financing falling through on damaged homes, and longer time on the market.
Usually fits when you want a simple, certain sale and don't want to manage the rebuild. The price will reflect the home's condition. Compare the written offer with your other options, and check the terms, closing costs and closing date.
Know this: Check before you repair. Most storm repairs in St. Petersburg need a permit, and homes in flood hazard areas are reviewed under the 49% rule. Ask the city's Construction Services & Permitting team what applies to your address before work starts. Starting the wrong repairs can make selling harder. City of St. Petersburg permitting →
We're not here to rush you. We're here to give you one real option to compare: a fast, certain cash sale for your house exactly as it is today.
Tell us about the damage, your insurance claim and any letters from the city. We'll listen first and tell you plainly whether a cash sale makes sense.
Wet, gutted, mold, damaged systems. We walk through the property in person or virtually and price it in its current condition. No clean-up or repairs needed first.
No verbal estimates and no lowball-then-reduce tactics. The number in our written offer is the number you receive at closing.
Close in as little as 7 days, or later if you need time to collect belongings or settle your claim. You pick the date.
Two rules shape what happens next for most flood-damaged homes in St. Petersburg: the city's 49% rule for repairs, and Florida's flood disclosure law for sales. Knowing both helps you decide whether to repair, list or sell.
This is general information, not legal advice. For guidance on your property, contact the City of St. Petersburg permitting office, your insurer or a licensed Florida attorney.
In flood hazard areas, the city treats a home as substantially damaged when repairs reach 49% of the structure's pre-damage value. The city sets its threshold below FEMA's 50% to protect federal funding and flood insurance discounts.
City of St. Petersburg: 49% rule →The calculation uses the structure's value, excluding land, so a home on a valuable lot can still cross the line.
St Pete Catalyst: how the rule works →That can mean elevating or rebuilding the home. The city's floodplain manager has said most residents with substantial damage must either elevate or sell.
St Pete Catalyst →Even when the city has waived permit fees, permits are still required for storm repairs. Questions go to StormRecoveryPermits@stpete.org or (727) 893-7231.
City of St. Petersburg permitting →Under Florida Statute 689.302, sellers must give buyers a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract. It covers flood damage you know of during your ownership, flood insurance claims and federal flood assistance. Selling as-is doesn't remove this requirement.
Florida Statute 689.302 →Our quick steps: No bidding wars, no repair headaches, no complex listings — certain results you can count on.
Share your property details via our form or by phone. We listen to your specific situation first.
A local team member schedules a walkthrough at a time that's convenient for you. No hassle.
We present a fair, no-obligation cash offer with transparent terms — no hidden fees, ever.
You choose the closing date. We handle the paperwork. You get cash at closing.
We focus on the neighborhoods we know personally — the streets we live in, raise families in, and have bought houses in for over a decade.
Selling a home is personal. Here's what sellers have said about working with us.
“John and his team reached out to gauge my interest in selling my home at I time I had just started to consider it. I was recovering from major surgery, and they were very accommodating with the closing date and several other things. They made a good cash offer "as is" - so I didn't have to deal with last minute hiccups. It was a smooth and painless process that allowed me to move out of state to be closer to my first grandbaby!!”
“'We Buy St Pete Homes' was excellent to work with from start to finish. They complied with all of my terms and stayed on top of the entire process. John was prompt and courteous. Contract to close was 14 days. I would highly recommend 'We Buy St Pete Homes' if you your looking to sell your home quickly.”
“John contacted me directly via text message about wanting to purchase our home. At first, I was skeptical mainly because there are so many scams going around. I did a quick Google search to verify this was a legit company, and it is. I replied to his text and that is where our quick process of selling our home began. Simply saying this was an easy and painless process is an understatement. This process was undoubtedly the easiest real estate transaction we've ever done. John was not only kind, but he was also transparent, honest, and always available to answer any questions. He set everything up for us from the inspection to the Mobile Closing that came to us. Nicole from the title company they use was attentive, kind, and helpful as well. If you are looking to sell your home and want a fair offer and an easy stress-free process, this company is who you need to work with. If you can choose who you work with, I sincerely encourage you to work with John. I hope this company truly recognizes what an amazing asset they have with John working for and representing them.”
We buy St. Petersburg homes with any level of flood damage, including:
With drywall, flooring and cabinets already removed, or not touched yet.
Systems that need repair or replacement.
No flood policy, a lapsed policy, or a payout that won't cover the repairs.
A family home heirs can't afford to rebuild.
Selling an inherited house →A substantial damage determination doesn't stop a sale. We review the letter and price the home as it stands.
See our page on selling a flooded house anywhere in Florida.
Selling a flooded house in Florida →The same firm promise we'd want if we were sitting on the other side of the kitchen table.
We buy direct with no agent in the middle — we don't charge you a dime for the service.
We buy as-is — so you don't need to fix a thing. Sell it exactly as it stands today.
One walkthrough from us — then we get out of your way. No parade of strangers.
We cover closing costs. What you're offered is what lands in your account.
Our local focus, transparent terms, and seller-first approach set us apart from out-of-state cash buyers and generic investor groups.
We know St Petersburg and surrounding Pinellas communities inside and out — neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block.
No surprises, no hidden fees, no bait-and-switch tactics. Our offers are clear, fair, and in writing.
Close in as little as 7 days or wait until you're ready. You control the closing date — not us.
We listen to your needs first. Every situation is unique and we tailor our approach accordingly.
500+ homes purchased across St Pete since our founding, with a consistent focus on integrity and fair dealing.
Generic guidance misses St. Petersburg's 49% rule and Florida's flood disclosure law, and St Pete's neighborhood realities. We live and work here.
Yes. We buy flood-damaged homes as-is, whether they've been gutted or not. You don't need to repair, clean or remove debris before you sell.
Yes. We buy homes with mold and mildew from water exposure in their current condition. There's no need to pay for remediation first.
In flood hazard areas, the city treats a home as substantially damaged when repair costs reach 49% of the structure's pre-damage value, excluding land. A substantially damaged home must be brought up to current flood rules, which can mean elevating or rebuilding it.
Yes. A substantial damage letter doesn't stop you from selling. We'll review the letter and your home's condition and factor them into our written offer.
Yes. Under Florida Statute 689.302, sellers must give buyers a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract. Selling as-is to a cash buyer doesn't change that.
It depends on your policy and claim status. Tell us and the title company about any open claim or payments, and ask your insurer what the policy requires before you sign.
We start with what the home would sell for after repairs, based on recent nearby sales. Then we subtract repair costs, holding and selling costs, and a modest profit. We walk you through every number.
We can close in as little as 7 days. 7 to 14 days is typical, and you can choose a later date if you need more time.
None. We don't charge commissions or fees, and we cover typical closing costs. The number in your offer is what you receive at closing.
Need to sell a flood-damaged house in St. Petersburg? Get a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. No repairs. No commissions. Close on your timeline.
