You don't have to clean up or rebuild first
Fire damage can leave smoke, water, or debris behind. You don't need to clean, repair, or haul debris away before selling to us. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
If fire or building officials have restricted access, stay out until they say it is safe. You do not need to enter the house to clean it up for a sale to us.
Insurance proceeds and mortgage requirements
Our purchase does not include your insurance claim. For some fire losses — building damage of $1,000 or more, or any loss that makes a building unsafe under state law — the insurer must give local officials at least 10 days' written notice before paying.
Before payment, Boston can send the insurer certified notice that it intends to start proceedings to perfect a municipal lien for repair, demolition, or other costs. The insurer must hold payment while those proceedings are pending if Boston starts them within 30 days after the insurer receives the notice. A lien the City perfects can reach the policy. These steps apply only when the law's conditions are met. See the Massachusetts fire-insurance law.
Confirm how the proceeds and any mortgage requirements apply to your claim with your insurer and mortgage servicer.
What happens next
We talk through the damage and the property with you and give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company. Close as fast as 7 days when title and closing details allow.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the Massachusetts deeds excise. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Boston safety, repair, and permit contacts
Do not enter if officials have restricted access or say the building is unsafe. For Boston fire-department questions, contact Boston Fire Operations; for property-specific building inspections or permit questions, contact Boston Inspectional Services.
- Boston Fire Operations — city fire department information.
- Boston Inspectional Services Department — ask about property-specific inspections or permit questions.
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
Compare the repair scope and cost, your insurer's position, time to complete the work, and carrying costs with the written terms for an as-is sale. If you list after repairs, compare the expected sale price with what you would keep after repairs, selling costs, and time-related expenses — not just the asking price.
No agent commissions when you sell to us.
The Boston calculator lets you test editable sale and cost assumptions against possible net proceeds. Use estimates for your actual property; the calculator is a planning estimate, not an offer or settlement statement.
What our sellers say
“LISTEN, PROPERTY TAXES GOT TOO HIGH FOR MY FIXED INCOME. SOLD IT TO THEM. WALKED AWAY WITH CASH. GLAD IT'S OVER.”
“Facing foreclosure ... Very stressful time... They handled it professionally and got me out of the debt...”
“no open houses. no realtors tracking dirt in. just a straight cash sale for our house so we could move. Glad it's over.”
Questions about selling a fire-damaged Boston house
Can I sell a fire-damaged house in Boston?
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Boston and Suffolk County, Massachusetts, including fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand.
Do I need to clean, repair, or haul away debris first?
No. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
What happens to my insurance proceeds and mortgage requirements?
The sale to us does not include your insurance claim or determine what your insurer pays. For some fire claims, Massachusetts law requires advance notice to local officials and lets Boston seek a lien that can delay payment or reach the policy. Confirm how the proceeds and any mortgage requirements apply to your claim with your insurer and mortgage servicer.
What if the building is unsafe or repairs may need permits?
If officials have restricted access, do not enter until they say it is safe. Contact Boston Fire Operations or Boston Inspectional Services about the property-specific safety, inspection, and permit questions before starting work. You do not need to clean or repair the house to sell it to us.
What happens after I contact you?
We discuss the damage and property details, then give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You receive written terms before you commit, and closing is handled through a title company.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation.
Prefer to call? 888-274-5006.