What we take on
A fire can leave damage, smoke cleanup, and debris behind. You can ask about selling before arranging cleanup, repairs, or hauling. Tell us what happened and which parts of the property officials say are safe to access; we consider the house as it stands.
If the structure may be unsafe or officials have restricted access, do not enter. Follow the directions for the actual property before anyone inspects or starts work.
You keep your insurance proceeds
We buy the house exactly as it stands, and 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 about the fire damage, what access is safe, and your timing. We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You receive written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
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 are separate.
Iowa City safety, repair, and permit contacts
If the house may be unsafe, stay out and follow directions from the fire or building officials, utility provider, and insurer. Before cleanup, repairs, or demolition, ask the officials responsible for the property what access rules, permits, or inspections apply. For a property within Iowa City, start with the City's official site for current building-safety and permit contacts. If the property is outside city limits, check which local authority handles that address.
- City of Iowa City official website → — starting point for City contacts about building safety and permits.
- Johnson County Recorder → — land transactions, property-ownership records, and recorded documents; call 319-356-6093.
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
Put contractor estimates, cleanup and debris costs, permit or inspection steps, and the time and bills you would carry during repairs beside the written sale terms. Include what your insurer and mortgage servicer require for your own claim and loan; the sale does not tell you what an insurer will pay.
The Iowa City calculator lets you compare estimated proceeds using your own assumptions. Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.
Compare estimated sale proceeds with the Iowa City calculator →Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.
Testimonials are real, from our transactions, verified and approved by our attorneys. Each seller's location is shown with their review.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Questions about selling a fire-damaged house
Can I sell a fire-damaged house in Iowa City?
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Iowa City and Johnson County, Iowa. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris.
Do I need to clean, repair, or haul debris before selling?
No. We buy fire-damaged houses exactly as they stand — no cleanup, no repairs, no hauling debris. You do not have to clean out or repair the house to sell it to us.
Who keeps the insurance proceeds if I sell?
We buy the house exactly as it stands, and 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 cleanup after a fire?
If the house may be unsafe or access is restricted, do not enter. Follow directions from the fire or building officials, utility provider, and insurer for the property. Before cleanup, repairs, or demolition, ask the officials responsible for the address what access rules, permits, or inspections apply.
What happens after I ask about an offer?
Tell us about the damage, safe access, and your timing. We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You receive written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
Talk through an Iowa City fire-damage sale
Call 888-274-5006 or share the property details in the form.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us about the damage, access, and timing.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.