If Hurricane Ian — or Helene or Milton after it — left you with a damaged home, a slab or a cleared lot you don’t want to rebuild on, we buy storm-damaged land as-is. No repairs, no demolition, no cleanup and no commissions. We’ll make a written cash offer within 24 hours and close on your timeline.
Hurricane Ian’s Impact on Southwest Florida
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa in Lee County on September 28, 2022, as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, and came ashore again near Punta Gorda. Its storm surge devastated Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Pine Island and San Carlos Island, and pushed up the Caloosahatchee into Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Wind damage stretched across Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and inland, and flooding reached North Port and Naples. It was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in Florida’s history.
Two years later, in 2024, Hurricane Helene’s surge flooded coastal neighborhoods from the Tampa Bay area south to Sarasota and Charlotte counties, and Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County. For many owners, a second or third storm was the deciding factor to sell.
The 50% Rule: Why Many Owners Can’t Simply Repair
Communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program must enforce the substantial damage rule. If the cost to repair a home in a flood zone equals or exceeds 50% of the structure’s market value (not including land), the home is considered “substantially damaged” and must be brought into compliance with current flood rules — typically meaning it must be elevated or rebuilt at or above the required elevation. After Ian, local governments issued substantial damage determinations for thousands of properties.
For older, lower homes, that often means demolition and a new elevated home — at a cost far above what owners planned. That’s why so many cleared lots and damaged homes remain.
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Coverage
If you had an NFIP flood insurance policy and your home was declared substantially damaged, you may be eligible for Increased Cost of Compliance coverage — up to $30,000 toward elevating, relocating or demolishing the structure. Many owners use ICC to demolish and then sell the cleared lot. Talk to your insurance agent about your eligibility and deadlines. We can work around your ICC timeline.
Your Options After a Hurricane
- Repair, if damage is below 50% and you want to stay.
- Elevate or rebuild, if you have the funds, insurance proceeds and patience for engineering and permits.
- Sell as-is to a buyer who will handle demolition and rebuilding.
- Demolish and sell the lot, sometimes using ICC funds.
- Buyout programs, where available, through local or federal mitigation programs — these can take a long time and only cover some properties.
What We Buy After a Storm
- Homes with flood, wind or surge damage — standing or partially collapsed.
- Slabs, pilings and foundations left after demolition.
- Cleared lots, including those cleared through debris or demolition programs.
- Damaged rental and commercial properties.
- Canal and waterfront lots with damaged seawalls or docks.
Insurance Claims and Selling
Many owners worry that selling will affect their insurance claim. In many cases, you can keep your rights to claim proceeds for damage that happened while you owned the property, and the sale can be structured around your claim. Tell us where your claim stands, and consult your insurance adjuster or attorney. We’ll set a closing date that works with your timeline.
Mortgages on Damaged Property
If there’s still a mortgage, it’s paid off at closing from the sale proceeds. If insurance proceeds are being held by your lender, the title company can coordinate with them.
Where We Buy Storm-Damaged Land
We buy damaged and cleared properties throughout Lee, Charlotte, Collier and Sarasota Counties, including Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Imperial Shores, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, Naples, Marco Island and North Port, as well as Sanibel, Pine Island and Matlacha.
Other ways we buy land: Cash offers · Seller financing · Subject-to · Probate & inherited land · Free lot value check
Get Your Offer
Send us the address or parcel number below, or call 239-686-0823. You’ll get a written cash offer within 24 hours — no obligation.
Common Situations We See After Storms
- A family beach home destroyed by surge that the family won’t rebuild.
- A home declared substantially damaged that must be elevated.
- A lot cleared by demolition that now just carries taxes.
- A rental property the owner no longer wants to manage.
- An estate holding a damaged property for heirs out of state.
In each case, we buy as-is and handle the rest after closing.
Storm-Damaged Land FAQs
Can I sell my house after Hurricane Ian without repairing it?
Yes. We buy storm-damaged homes as-is and handle repairs, demolition and permits after closing.
What is the 50% rule?
In flood zones, if repair costs equal or exceed 50% of a structure’s market value, the building must be brought up to current flood standards, which usually means elevating or rebuilding.
What is ICC coverage?
Increased Cost of Compliance is part of many NFIP flood policies. It can provide up to $30,000 toward elevating, relocating or demolishing a substantially damaged home.
Can I sell while my insurance claim is open?
Often yes. Tell us where your claim stands and consult your adjuster or attorney. We can time the sale around your claim.
Do you buy cleared lots on Fort Myers Beach?
Yes. We buy cleared lots, slabs and damaged homes on Fort Myers Beach and nearby islands.
Do you buy land damaged by Hurricanes Helene or Milton?
Yes. We buy storm-damaged property from any recent hurricane.
Do you buy storm-damaged property with a mortgage?
Yes. The mortgage is paid off at closing, and the title company coordinates with your lender on any insurance proceeds.
How fast can you close on a damaged property?
Usually 7 to 21 days, or later if you need time for insurance or ICC.
Do I need to remove debris before selling?
No. We buy as-is and handle debris removal after closing.
Do you buy land on Sanibel or Pine Island?
Yes. We buy storm-damaged land and cleared lots on Sanibel, Pine Island and Matlacha.
Is my damaged home worth anything?
Usually the value is mainly in the land. We make offers based on land value and the cost of demolition or repairs.
General information only, not legal, insurance or tax advice.