Selling a fire or water damaged house
A burst pipe, a roof leak, a flood, or a fire can leave a house in a state that's hard to repair and nearly impossible to sell the usual way. You still have options.
The kinds of damage we see
- Burst pipes and slow plumbing leaks
- Roof leaks and storm damage
- Flooding and water intrusion
- Appliance or water heater failures
- Fire and smoke damage
- Mold that grew after a water problem
- Damage left behind by a former tenant. See our rental owner page and this guide to tenant-damaged rentals if that's your situation.
Why damage complicates a sale
A house with significant fire or water damage will often fail a lender's appraisal or inspection, so buyers who need a mortgage usually can't close on it. That leaves cash buyers, and many of them price in the worst case. Other buyers worry about hidden problems like mold or structural damage. You generally have to disclose damage and unresolved problems you know about, even in an as-is sale. And repairs take money, time, and decisions from contractors that many owners can't spare while also dealing with the loss itself.
Where an insurance claim fits
If the damage is covered, you may be able to file a claim and repair the house. If you have a mortgage, your lender may be named on the insurance payments and may control how the money is released. Whether you can sell before repairs, keep an insurance payout and still sell, or pass a claim to a buyer depends on your policy, your lender, and the timing. Ask your insurance company and an attorney before you sign anything.
Selling as-is
We buy damaged houses as they are. You don't need to dry out, demolish, or rebuild first. We estimate what the house would be worth after repairs, subtract the cost of the work and our costs and margin, and base our offer on that. We'll explain how we got our number so you can compare it to other options. See also houses that need repairs.
Before you decide
- Take photos and video of the damage, and keep receipts for anything you spend.
- Stop further damage if it's safe to do so: shut off the water, tarp a roof opening. Don't enter a house that may be structurally unsafe.
- Get your claim number, the adjuster's estimate, and any lender requirements in writing.
- If the repairs would be large, compare the cost and the wait against a direct offer.
Tell us what happened and we'll give you a straight answer on whether selling now makes sense.
Common questions
Can I sell a house with an open insurance claim?
Sometimes. It depends on your policy, your lender, and the timing of the claim. Talk to your insurance company and an attorney before signing a sale agreement.
Why can't a typical buyer get a mortgage on a damaged house?
Lenders require the property to meet appraisal and inspection standards. Serious fire or water damage often fails them, which limits the sale to buyers paying cash.
Do I have to repair the damage before I sell?
No. We buy as-is, and the cost of repairs is reflected in our offer.
Will you buy a house with mold?
Yes. We evaluate the property as it is, including the cost to correct the mold, and explain how that affects our offer.
How much does fire or water damage lower the offer?
It depends on how extensive the damage is and what it would cost to repair. We walk you through our reasoning so you can see how we got to the number.
Other situations
- Tired landlord
- Vacant house
- Liens and judgments
- Inherited a house
- House needs repairs
- Behind on property taxes
- Behind on payments
- Code violations
- Unpermitted work
- Probate and estates
- Divorce