(A Homeowner’s Guide from Florida’s Sinkhole Cash Buyer Experts — HouseKeyOffers)
Sinkholes can happen suddenly — especially in areas like Spring Hill, Hernando County, Citrus County, Pasco, and the greater Nature Coast, where Florida’s limestone foundation is naturally prone to erosion.
If a sinkhole opens up unexpectedly on your property, it can be scary, dangerous, and overwhelming.
But you’re not alone — and there is a clear step-by-step plan to protect your safety, your home, and your financial future.
Below is a simple, practical guide any Florida homeowner can follow.
✅ 1. Stay Calm and Keep Everyone Away
Never underestimate a sinkhole — even small ones can grow.
Do NOT:
- Walk near the edge
- Try to fill it yourself
- Park a vehicle close to the opening
- Let kids or pets near it
Sinkholes tend to expand outward and downward. Distance is safety.
✅ 2. Call Local Authorities
If the sinkhole is large, sudden, or threatens a structure, call:
- 911 for immediate danger
- Local Law Enforcement for safety evaluation
- Hernando County Sheriff’s Office / Local County Emergency Management
They’ll secure the area and make sure no one can get hurt.
✅ 3. Report it to Your County or City
Most Florida counties have sinkhole or geologic hazard response teams.
Reporting it helps protect your neighbors and your community.
For the Nature Coast region, you can report to:
- Hernando County Code Enforcement
- Citrus County Public Works
- Pasco County Development Services
✅ 4. Contact Your Home Insurance Company
If you live in Florida, your policy likely includes Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse (CGCC) coverage, and may also have sinkhole coverage depending on your plan.
Tell your insurance company:
- When the sinkhole formed
- What damage you see
- Whether the home is unsafe
They may send an engineer or geologist to investigate.
✅ 5. Document EVERYTHING
Before anyone does repairs, take:
- Photos of the sinkhole (from a safe distance)
- Videos
- Notes on the date and time
- Notes on cracks or shifting in the home
This documentation can help with insurance claims and future decisions.
✅ 6. If the Home is Damaged, Get a Structural Engineer
A licensed engineer can tell you:
- Whether the home is safe to enter
- Whether repairs are possible
- What it will cost to stabilize the ground
- Whether the home has confirmed sinkhole activity
These reports are often required by insurance companies.
✅ 7. Decide Whether You Want to Repair or Sell the Home As-Is
If you discover the damage is extensive, repairs can be extremely expensive — sometimes $80,000–$150,000+ for grouting, underpinning, and structural restoration.
That’s why many Florida homeowners choose another option:
➤ Sell the Sinkhole Property As-Is for Cash
HouseKeyOffers is one of Florida’s most experienced buyers of sinkhole and settlement-damaged homes.
We buy:
- Confirmed sinkhole homes
- Unrepaired sinkhole properties
- Homes with structural damage
- Homes insurance denied or dropped
- Properties that are unsafe to live in
You get:
- Cash offer in 24 hours
- No repairs
- No inspections
- No appraisals
- Close in as little as 7 days
🏡 Why Florida Homeowners Trust HouseKeyOffers
For sinkhole and settlement homes, we’ve bought and sold more properties than any other investor team in the Nature Coast region.
✔ Cash offers
✔ Local Florida experts
✔ As-Is sales
✔ Fast closings
✔ No repairs
✔ No realtor fees
✔ No sinkhole stigma holding up your sale
If a sinkhole opened unexpectedly on your property, HouseKeyOffers can help you figure out the next steps — without pressure.
📞 Get a Free Cash Offer on Your Sinkhole Property
Whether your home is cracked, sinking, or already evacuated, we can help.