Are Multiple Offers Back?
The answer is YES. Over the past two weeks, our team has written preapproval letters on homes that have been on the market for months, and now suddenly other interested parties surface. Why is this happening? It is the natural cycle of what we see in Minnesota. Historically, median sales prices are always at their peak in the spring/summer months. That is because there is greater demand with more buyers in the market. And while spring season does not typically begin until the Monday after the Super Bowl, we have seen more buyers in the market starting in January.
Here are some tactics we use to win in multiple offers:
1) All of our buyers are preapproved with pre-underwritten preapprovals stating that our underwriter has already signed off on income and assets;
2) All preapprovals include a $10k guarantee that we will close on time.
3) Because our clients are pre-underwritten, we can close in 10 days.
4) We call the listing agent once the offer has been submitted to reinforce our clients’ creditworthiness and our guarantee.
Does homeowners insurance cover ice dam damage?
Homeowners insurance covers damage caused by the weight of snow and ice. So if an ice dam causes your roof to fall through, you’d likely be covered.
By Pat Howard&Kara McGinley Edited by Jennifer Gimbel Reviewed by Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®
Homeowners insurance covers the weight of snow and ice. That means if an ice dam forms on your roof and it collapses, you’ll likely be covered by your homeowners policy. That said, there are a few considerations to bear in mind before filing a claim.
Key takeaways
- Homeowners insurance covers property damage caused by the weight of ice, snow, and sleet.
- If an ice dam causes your roof to fall through, your insurance would likely help cover repairs.
- Repairs to other structures on your property, like fences, pools, patios, and docks, may not be covered in the event of damage caused by ice dams or snow buildup.
- Compare your policy deductible to the cost of repairs to determine if it’s worth filing a claim.
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a buildup of water that dams up — or collects — on your roof and freezes, forming a giant ridge of ice. Ice dams form because one part of your roof — usually along the edges — is colder than other parts of your roof. When water from the warmer section melts off, it flows into pockets where ice has accumulated, creating more ice and pools of water. This forms a barrier between your roof and the gutter, making it difficult for water to drain, and the weight can lead to roof collapse.
Does homeowners insurance cover ice dam damage?
For the most part, yes. A standard HO-3 homeowners insurance policy doesn’t outright mention that ice dam damage is covered, but insurers generally consider it “weight of ice and snow” — a peril that is covered by homeowners insurance. That means if an ice dam causes your roof to collapse, insurance may help cover the cost of repairs. And if the roof collapse damages your personal property inside your house, home insurance will likely help pay to replace those belongings, too.
When is ice dam damage not covered by homeowners insurance?
There is a section of your policy that specifies that damage to certain structures on your property won’t be covered if the cause of loss is freezing, thawing, and weight of water or ice. Those structures include:
- Fences, pavement, patios, and swimming pools
- Foundations, bulkheads, walls, and any other structures that support all or part of a building or other structure on the property
- Retaining walls
- Piers, wharves, and docks
If your roof was already in poor shape and the ice dam causes gradual water damage, home insurance may not cover you. That’s because homeowners insurance excludes coverage for maintenance issues, and a leaky roof would be considered preventable with regular upkeep.
Does homeowners insurance cover the cost of ice dam removal?
If the ice dam damages your home, insurance will likely pay for the repairs and removal of the ice. But homeowners insurance generally doesn’t provide “preventative” coverage. So if the ice dam hasn’t yet caused any structural damage, your insurance company most likely won’t pay to remove it.
That means if the ice dam is on your roof but isn’t causing any damage, you’ll have to wait for it to melt, remove it yourself, or pay a professional to. The average cost of ice dam removal is $1,200, according to Home Advisor. However, that price can vary anywhere from $400 to $4,000 depending on the size of the ice dam and your roof type, amongst other factors.
Is it worth filing an ice dam damage claim?
Whether you should file a claim for ice dam damage depends on the severity of the loss. Frequent claims makes insurance more expensive and it harder to get coverage in the future — major insurance companies are known to turn down applicants with multiple claims in a short period of time. Also, if the damage amount isn’t higher than your deductible, then you won’t be able to file a claim.
But roof damage claims can be expensive, and that expense is only compounded if hundreds of gallons of water fall through and ruin a ton of your personal belongings. If we’re talking about an entire section of your roof giving way to an ice dam that causes thousands in property damage, it’s likely worth filing a claim rather than paying for it out of pocket. But again, it really depends on how high your deductible is and your claims history.
For small roof leaks, consider paying out of pocket
If the ice dam only causes a relatively small roof leak, that’s something you might just want to pay for out of pocket yourself. To remove the dam, consult a roofing professional or look into an ice dam steamer. (Yes, we checked — those exist.)
How to prevent ice dams
The best way to prevent ice dams and spare yourself the maintenance and insurance headache is to be proactive. Good ventilation, drainage, and proper insulation are all ways to keep this problem from turning into an expensive disaster. Here are a number of actionable steps you should take ahead of winter:
1. Clear your gutters of leaves and debris.
2. Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your home to the attic, including vent pipes, exhaust fans, and light fixtures.
3. Check for signs of bad ventilation.
4. Keep snow from accumulating on the lower sections of your roof.
Doug Panner
Hatzung Insurance Agency
612-799-8671
[email protected]
Learn More
With February here, it’s the perfect time to revisit your goals for the year—perhaps one of them is moving into a new home! If you’re preparing to sell, standing out in online marketing photos is key to attracting buyers in today’s competitive market.
This is where home staging can make all the difference! A well-staged home draws in potential buyers, making them eager to see it in person. To achieve that sought-after “model home” look, start by decluttering and depersonalizing your space.
February is an ideal month to tackle post-holiday organization. Clean out closets and kitchen cabinets, organize spaces like the mudroom or pantry, and remove personal photos to create a fresh, inviting look.