Sell without cleanup, repairs, or hauling debris
You do not need to clean out the house, finish restoration, or haul fire debris before selling to us.
If officials have restricted access or the structure may be unsafe, stay out and follow their directions. Selling as-is does not change those safety restrictions.
Insurance proceeds and your mortgage
New York General Municipal Law § 22 lets a tax district claim fire-insurance proceeds for certain local property taxes, assessments, or other charges that have become liens and remained unpaid for at least a year. It excludes owner-occupied one- and two-family homes. Before a district can make a claim, it must adopt a local law and resolution. That local law must provide a way to release or return funds if you agree in writing to restore the property; it may require escrow or a performance bond. This is not an automatic hold on every Rochester-area fire claim, but a qualifying claim could limit or delay funds available to you. See New York General Municipal Law § 22. 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.
What happens next
Tell us what happened and what you know about the damage and access. We review ownership, any mortgage payoff, who lives in the house, and who can sign. You get clear written terms to review before you commit. If you decide to sell, 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 New York State real estate transfer tax and any applicable local real estate transfer taxes. No agent commissions when you sell to us. No fees. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Local safety and repair help
Do not enter a structure that may be unsafe or that officials have restricted. Follow their access directions.
- For a house inside Rochester city limits, the City’s Housing Division page lists residential rehabilitation programs and contact information. We can discuss buying the house as it stands without requiring you to finish repairs first.
Compare rebuilding with selling as-is
When weighing rebuilding against selling as-is, compare written repair, demolition, and debris estimates; the cost of keeping the property during work; insurer and mortgage requirements; and the sale terms.
The Rochester home-sale net proceeds calculator compares a listing estimate with a cash-sale estimate using your assumptions. It is a planning tool, not an offer, insurance payout, or contractor 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 house in Rochester
Can I sell a fire-damaged house in Rochester or Monroe County?
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys fire-damaged houses as they stand in Rochester and Monroe County — no cleanup, repairs, or debris hauling required to sell to us.
What happens to my insurance proceeds and mortgage if I sell?
New York General Municipal Law § 22 lets a tax district claim fire-insurance proceeds for certain local property taxes, assessments, or other charges that have become liens and remained unpaid for at least a year. It excludes owner-occupied one- and two-family homes. Before a district can make a claim, it must adopt a local law and resolution. That local law must provide a way to release or return funds if you agree in writing to restore the property; it may require escrow or a performance bond. This is not an automatic hold on every Rochester-area fire claim, but a qualifying claim could limit or delay funds available to you. 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.
Do I have to clean up, remove debris, or repair the house first?
No. You do not need to clean out the house, finish repairs, or remove debris before selling to us. Stay out of any unsafe or restricted structure and follow officials’ directions.
Can I enter the house or begin repairs after a fire?
Stay out if the structure may be unsafe or officials have restricted access. Follow the fire and building officials’ directions for the property. We can discuss a sale as-is without asking you to enter or start repairs.
What happens after I tell you about the fire damage?
Tell us what happened and what you know about damage and access. We review ownership, any mortgage payoff, who lives in the house, and who can sign. You get clear written terms to review before you commit; if you decide to sell, we close through a title company.
How can I compare rebuilding with selling as-is?
Compare written repair, demolition, and debris estimates; the cost of keeping the property during work; insurer and mortgage requirements; and the written terms for an as-is sale.
Talk with us about your fire-damaged 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 fire-damage details you know.