What we take on
You do not have to clean out the house, arrange repairs, or haul debris before selling to us. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
If the house may be unsafe or officials have restricted access, follow their directions for the actual property. You can tell us about access limits when we discuss the damage.
Your insurance proceeds and mortgage
We buy the house exactly as it stands, and you keep your insurance proceeds. If you still have a mortgage, your lender may have a say in how that check is used — we'll walk through it with you. Iowa law requires an insurer to hold a demolition-cost reserve only for certain fire claims: the property must be within city limits, the damage must leave it uninhabitable or unfit for use without repairs, and the submitted proof of loss must exceed 75% of the building policy's face value.
The reserve is $10,000 or 10% of the building-damage payment, whichever is greater. A city may use eligible funds for demolition costs. It must release its interest within 180 days unless it starts demolition proceedings and notifies the insurer; any balance after eligible costs goes to you only if your policy entitles you to it. See Iowa Code § 515.139.
What happens next
- Tell us what happened, what access limits you know about, and where the claim stands.
- We discuss the damage and the house as it stands. We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
- You receive the written offer and terms before you decide; if you choose to proceed, closing is through a title company.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate.
Building safety and permits
Do not enter a structure that may be unsafe. If a city or county has issued a dangerous-building order, it may require repairs or removal; after notice, it may do the work and assess the cost against the property like a property tax. See Iowa Code § 364.12 and § 331.384.
For a Burlington property, the City's Community Development office routes building and inspection questions. Addresses outside Burlington may have a different local authority; Des Moines County GIS can help locate the property.
- City of Burlington Community Development: building, zoning, and inspection questions → building and construction →
- Des Moines County GIS: locate the property →
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
Compare cleanup and debris costs, any repairs or removal required by a local order, and the bills you carry while waiting with the written terms for an as-is sale.
The calculator can help compare estimated listing proceeds with an as-is sale using your planning assumptions. Its result is an estimate, not a property-specific offer, repair quote, or insurance estimate.
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 Burlington house
Can I sell a fire-damaged house in Burlington, Iowa?
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Burlington, Iowa. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
Do I need to clean up, repair, or haul debris before selling?
No. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
What happens to insurance proceeds after a fire?
We buy the house exactly as it stands, and you keep your insurance proceeds. If you still have a mortgage, your lender may have a say in how that check is used — we'll walk through it with you. Iowa Code section 515.139 requires a demolition-cost reserve for some fire claims on property inside city limits when the damage makes the building uninhabitable without repair and the submitted proof of loss exceeds 75% of the building policy face value. The insurer holds $10,000 or 10% of the building-damage payment, whichever is greater. A city may use eligible funds for demolition costs; any balance is yours only if your policy entitles you to it.
Can I enter the house or start repairs after a fire?
Do not enter a structure that may be unsafe. Follow directions from local officials, the fire department, utility personnel, and your insurer for the actual property. Before starting work, ask the responsible local office what access rules or permits apply.
What happens after I ask about an offer?
Tell us about the damage and any access limits. We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You receive written offer terms before you commit, and closing is through a title company.
Who pays closing costs when I sell to USA Home Buyers?
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate.
Talk with us about the house
Tell us about the damage and request a cash offer, or call 888-274-5006 to talk about the property.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address and what you know about the house.