What we take on
You can sell to us with the fire damage still in place. You don't need to clean the house, repair it, or haul away debris before selling to us. We buy houses as-is in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
A fire-damaged property may have access or safety limits. Follow directions for the actual house before entering or arranging any work; an as-is sale does not make an unsafe building safe.
Insurance proceeds and your mortgage
When we buy the house exactly as it stands, you keep your insurance proceeds. Confirm how the proceeds and any mortgage requirements apply to your claim with your insurer and mortgage servicer.
What happens next
- Tell us what the fire damaged and what you know about access and the property.
- We discuss the damage with you and provide a written offer and written terms before you commit.
- If you choose to sell to us, the closing takes place through a title company.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including New York State real estate transfer tax and any applicable local real estate transfer taxes. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or your share of current property taxes.
Local help for safety, repairs, and permits
If the building may be unsafe or officials have restricted access, stay out and follow the property-specific directions from fire or building officials and utility providers. Check with the appropriate officials before entering or starting repairs.
For current city contacts about building safety, repairs, or permits, start with the official City of Elmira website and confirm which office and instructions apply to the property address.
For a county records question connected with a sale, Chemung County identifies the Chemung County Clerk as its county seller-office contact. Ask the Clerk which county records apply to the property; use the city contact for city building and permit questions.
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
Before deciding to rebuild, compare contractor estimates and the time and carrying costs involved with the written terms for an as-is sale. Consider current safety and access instructions, any permit questions, and what your insurer and mortgage servicer tell you about your claim.
Use the Elmira calculator to compare an estimated listing net with an as-is sale estimate. Change the assumptions to fit the property; the calculator is a planning tool, not an insurance decision or a property-specific offer.
Questions about selling after a fire
Fire-Damaged House in Elmira, NY — Common Questions
Can I sell a fire-damaged house in Elmira without repairing it?
Yes. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
Who keeps the insurance proceeds if I sell to USA Home Buyers?
When we buy the house exactly as it stands, you keep your insurance proceeds. Confirm how the proceeds and any mortgage requirements apply to your claim with your insurer and mortgage servicer.
Can I enter the house or start repairs after a fire?
Follow the fire or building officials’ instructions for the property. Do not enter a structure that may be unsafe or begin work until you have the applicable safety and access directions.
What happens after I ask about an offer?
We discuss the damage and the property with you, then provide a written offer and written terms before you commit. If you choose to sell to us, the closing is handled through a title company.
Testimonials are real, from our transactions, verified and approved by our attorneys. These are not presented as Elmira transactions; each seller's actual location and date appear with the review.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Here's what sellers have said about working with us.
“Monroe County family court, sale required. Park Avenue condo, beautiful neighborhood, but neither of us could buy out the other and we both needed the money to start over. USA Home Buyers gave us a written offer the same week we called. Both attorneys said yes, closed in thirteen days.”
“I was behind on my mortgage after a medical situation. New York judicial foreclosure takes 12-24 months, but once the bank files in Monroe County Supreme Court, your options narrow fast. USA Home Buyers explained exactly where I stood and closed before the foreclosure judgment. I walked out with enough to start over.”
“Lake Ontario flooding in the spring got into our basement on Lakeshore Boulevard twice. The second time killed the furnace and HVAC and left six inches of standing water. Our insurer totaled the contents but fought the structural claim. USA Home Buyers knew Charlotte's flood situation well — no surprises in the offer, no inspection drama. Closed in ten days.”
Related Elmira resources
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us about the damage and any current safety or access instructions. We will discuss written terms before you commit.