Sinkhole Deal- Anyone with experience remediating / flip?

[Matthew Morrow]

Hey everyone,

We’ve got a promising lead on a single-family home in eastern PA that’s currently sitting over a significant sinkhole. The insurance company has declared it a total loss, and the seller is essentially looking to give it away post-claim. We’re considering stepping in to help, but only if the numbers and end value justify the work.

We’ve already spoken with two geotechnical engineers. Both gave the same verdict: either repair in place—which would cost more than the property’s ARV—or demo the home, fill and remediate the site, and then get it certified for future use. The second option seems more viable, but we’re still wrapping our heads around the true costs and implications.

Has anyone here dealt with something like this before? Specifically, what kind of stigma (if any) does a remediated sinkhole lot carry when it comes time to sell or build?

We also checked with a couple of insurance agents who mentioned that claims tend to follow the person, not the property. So, a new owner may not face any issues getting insurance if the site is properly remediated.

Appreciate any input or war stories from those who’ve been down this road.

Thanks!

[David Krulac]

we had a telephone on the corner of our property that kept sinking further in the ground such that the electric wires were about 4 feet from touching the ground.  To remediate they excavated and dumped 5 cement truck loads of concrete into the hole.  After the concrete cured/hardened there were no further problems, but the cost was not cheap and the results are not warranted.