Selling a damaged home is emotional and time-consuming. You might be dealing with insurance, old reports, or repair quotes, and just want a fair way forward. This guide explains your main sale paths, what paperwork to gather, how buyers price risk, and how an as-is sale with My New Start works if you want a clean, certain outcome.
Quick overview: your three sale paths
There are three main ways to sell a damaged home. Each path has its own trade-offs in time, cost, and stress.
- Repair, then sell. Highest potential price, but you carry repair risk, delays, and cash flow strain.
- List as-is with an agent. Wider buyer pool than private sale, but expect open homes, conditions, and a long tail while buyers do due diligence.
- Sell as-is, direct to a specialist buyer. Faster and simpler. With My New Start there are no repairs, no staging, no open homes, and we set a fixed settlement date together.
Download our “As Is Where Is” Home Sellers Guide so you have all the information you need to make a decision about selling your damaged, or as-is Christchurch home.
What buyers weigh up with damaged houses
Buyers usually look beyond the surface damage. They focus on land, structure, and uncertainty. The more unknowns, the larger the “risk margin” they add into their price.
- Land value and zoning. Where the land sits market-wise.
- Structure risk. Foundations, framing, water ingress, unconsented works.
- Removal or repair cost. Demo, reinstatement, or make-safe.
- Time and uncertainty. The longer it takes, the higher the buyer’s “risk margin.”
Paperwork to gather (even for an as-is sale)
Even if you’re selling as-is, providing the right documents helps reduce a buyer’s risk margin. You don’t need everything, but every piece helps.
- Any EQC / insurer scopes or letters
- Engineer or builder reports
- Council records (LIM, consents if any) – Request a Christchurch LIM report (Christchurch City Council)
- Photos showing key areas
- Any repair quotes (even if you do not intend to use them)
You do not need to fix things to sell to us. We buy as-is, where-is across Christchurch and Canterbury, so none of this paperwork is required, but it can improve your offer.
If your home is uninsured or the claim is stuck
Many Christchurch homeowners are still in this position after the quakes. It’s not a barrier to selling, and we handle these situations often.
- We buy uninsured or under-insured homes
- We buy damaged or uninhabitable homes
- You don’t need to repair or stage
- We set a fixed settlement date with you
Pricing: how offers are built
Buyers in Christchurch, including My New Start, usually price as-is, where-is homes by starting with the estimated finished renovation value (what the property could sell for once repaired or rebuilt). From that number, they subtract real costs and a margin for risk and profit. What is left becomes the offer.
Some of the costs taken into account while building your offer:
- Estimated repair or removal costs
- Holding costs: rates, insurance, finance, time
- Selling or compliance costs if they plan to on-sell
How to help your number:
- Share clear documents early: EQC or insurer scopes, LIM, engineer or builder reports, and photos.
- Make access easy for a single site visit.
- Be upfront about chattels, access dates, and any tenancies.
Reducing unknowns can reduce the risk margin, which can lift the net figure to you.
How to compare offers fairly
It’s tempting to focus on the top-line figure, but conditions and timing matter just as much.
- Net figure to you after all extras and conditions
- Conditions attached such as finance, building reports, or long due diligence
- Settlement date and whether it suits your timeline
- Transparency in how the buyer has priced their offer
With My New Start, settlement timing is as agreed with the seller, so you’re not pushed into a rushed move.
How a simple as-is sale with My New Start works
What we stand for: fair treatment, a personalised, straightforward service, and transparent, no hidden-cost offers.
Our 3-step process
- Quick introduction: call Kane or email to outline the home and your goals. You have a direct line to Kane for fast responses.
- Short visit: we view the property once. No open homes.
- Clear written offer: fair cash offer (often within 24 hours), with a fixed settlement date as agreed with you.
See our 3-step process, to understand exactly how our as-is buying process works.
Why people choose us
- 400+ new starts across Christchurch and Canterbury, see the homes we’ve bought
- Local leadership and knowledge of post-quake housing
- Direct line to Kane, not a call centre
- You get a fair offer on your home
Real words from local sellers
“At last we are in our new house in Rangiora. Still settling in and plenty to do. Won’t have a lawn until September, the day it was going to be sown 26 March, was Level 4 day so didn’t happen.
Thanks very much for your help during the lock down and your understanding when we couldn’t settle on 9th April. Was getting a bit concerned that our world was about to fall apart. Your agreement to put settlement day 5 days after we got out of level 4 regardless of when it was going to be was most helpful and your follow up phone calls of reassurance were much appreciated. Hope all goes well with the repairs, really pleased that you are going to do a proper job, unlike some of the horror stories I have heard about.
Thanks again and all the best.”
— BoBo & Shona, Rangiora
“We started out with two recommendations of ‘as is’ buyers. The company’s and approach were polar opposites. The decision to go with Kane was an easy one, he was respectful and professional. Leaving our home was a bittersweet experience, he seemed to understand this and was sensitive to this fact. Kane has supported us through the whole process and was always happy to answer any queries along the way, and there were many! We had a more than generous settlement timeframe that removed the pressure to make any decisions. We would highly recommend Kane, he is one of the genuine good guys, honest and reliable. Kane, we wish you well in all that you do.”
— Dave & Val, Casebrook
FAQs: Selling a damaged home in Christchurch
Do I need to repair the house before selling?
No. You can sell as-is, where-is. We do not ask you to repair, stage, or host open homes. If you have reports or photos, share them, but it is not a requirement.
Can I sell if the home is uninsured or my claim is unresolved?
Yes. That is common in Christchurch. We regularly buy uninsured, under-insured, damaged, or uninhabitable homes. We take on the risk and work after settlement.
How is the settlement date set?
We agree a fixed settlement date with you. Tell us what timing works for your move or build. If you need flexibility, we can plan for that up front.
How do you calculate your offer?
We begin with the estimated finished value of the property — what it could sell for once fully repaired or rebuilt. From there, we subtract the real costs: repairs or demolition, holding expenses like rates and insurance, and a margin for risk and profit.
The clearer the information you provide (for example EQC or insurer scopes, LIM, engineer or builder reports, and photos), the less uncertainty there is. That helps us keep the risk margin lower and arrive at a fairer offer, faster.
What costs or commissions will I pay?
There are no real-estate agent commissions because you are selling direct. You will still have your normal legal costs for conveyancing. Any other costs, if relevant, will be explained in writing before you sign, so there are no hidden surprises.
What paperwork do I need to provide?
Share what you have: EQC or insurer letters, any engineer or builder reports, LIM and past consents, plus photos of key areas. If pieces are missing, that is okay. We can still view the property and put forward a clear offer.
Will my information be kept private?
Yes. We treat your details with care. We only share information with the professionals involved in your sale (for example your solicitor) and we never discuss your situation with neighbours or open-home crowds.
Which areas do you cover?
We buy across Christchurch and wider Canterbury. If you are unsure about your suburb or rural township, ask us. If we cannot help, we will point you in a useful direction.
Next steps
- If you are comparing paths, start a simple timeline and cost list for each option.
- If you want a straightforward as-is sale, reach out below.
Why My New Start
- Fair treatment and transparent, no hidden-cost offers
- No repairs, no staging, no open homes
- Fixed settlement date, no surprises
- 400+ new starts and local Christchurch leadership
- Direct line to Kane, fast responses
Ready for a fresh new start?
Get a fair offer from Kane today. Phone 0800 697 827 or email [email protected]
