Sell without cleanup, repairs, or hauling debris
You do not have to clean, repair fire or smoke damage, or haul away debris before selling to us. Tell us what happened, and we can talk through the house before you arrange restoration work.
Insurance proceeds and your mortgage
For a fire loss with more than $5,000 recoverable under all policies on a structure in an Ohio city or township, the insurer needs a certificate from the county treasurer before paying. If the certificate lists overdue property charges or certified costs to remove, repair, or secure the structure, the insurer sends enough of the proceeds to pay them. For a loss of at least 60% of the combined limits on all fire policies, the city or township may also receive proceeds for that work if it adopted and filed the required procedure before the fire. Any remaining proceeds follow the policy terms. 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.
Read Ohio Revised Code § 3929.86 for the state fire-loss claim rules.
What happens next
- Tell us what happened and what you know about the damage or safe access.
- You get a written offer and written terms before you commit.
- If you choose to sell, we close through a title company. Close as fast as 7 days when title and closing details allow.
Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. No agent commissions when you sell to us. No fees.
Columbus fire safety and building permits
Stay out if officials have restricted access or the structure may be unsafe. For a house inside Columbus city limits, the City Fire Prevention Bureau provides fire-safety resources and Building & Zoning Services provides permit information.
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
Rebuilding can mean coordinating repair work, insurance requirements, permits, and the cost of keeping the house while work is underway. Compare those costs and time with our written sale terms and the work you would take on; you do not need to arrange repairs before asking us about a sale.
The Columbus home-sale calculator lets you compare an estimated listing net with an as-is cash-sale option using your assumptions. It is a planning estimate, not a written offer for your property.
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 after a fire
Fire-Damaged House Columbus OH — Common Questions
Do I have to clean up or repair a fire-damaged Columbus house before selling?
No. USA Home Buyers buys fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
Do I keep my insurance proceeds, and what about my mortgage?
We buy the house exactly as it stands, and you keep your insurance proceeds. For a fire loss with more than $5,000 recoverable under all policies on a structure in an Ohio city or township, the insurer needs a certificate from the county treasurer before paying. If the certificate lists overdue property charges or certified costs to remove, repair, or secure the structure, the insurer sends enough of the proceeds to pay them. For a loss of at least 60% of the combined limits on all fire policies, the city or township may also receive proceeds for that work if it adopted and filed the required procedure before the fire. Any remaining proceeds follow the policy terms. 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.
Can I enter or clean up a house after a fire?
Follow directions from the fire department, building official, utility provider, and insurer for the actual property. Do not enter if officials have restricted access or the structure may be unsafe.
Do I need a permit to repair a fire-damaged Columbus house?
Some repair or demolition work needs a permit. Not sure? Call us — we'll sort it out with you.
What happens after I contact USA Home Buyers?
Tell us what happened and what you know about the damage or safe access. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form below to talk about the damage and the property. You can also read our company reviews and buyer information.
Talk with us about your fire-damaged Columbus house
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form to tell us about the damage and the property.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address and the details you know about the damage and access.