Sell Your Fire-Damaged House in Texas (As-Is, For Cash)

How to Sell A Fire-Damaged House in Texas for the Best Price

Dealing with big or small fire damage to your home can feel like a lot, and we totally understand the stress you may be under right now. Juggling insurance claims, repair estimates, and figuring out what your next steps should be is a lot for anyone to handle. We do have some good news, though: Dallas home buyers will purchase your fire-damaged property. You won’t have to make any repairs to sell your house, and we will help guide you through the entire process.

At Four 19 Properties, we buy houses in Texas in any condition, including those damaged by fire. Whether you need to sell your house fast in North Richland Hills or anywhere else in Texas, we’re here to help.

Can You Sell a Burnt House in Texas?

You are definitely able to sell a fire-damaged house in Texas, and you have more options beyond months or years of repairs. If your house has suffered minor smoke damage or major structural damage, there are buyers out there willing to purchase your property.

Some investors specialize in buying distressed properties. These cash buyers understand the Texas real estate market and the challenges that come with fire-damaged homes, so they’re able to move quickly. Traditional home sales, on the other hand, require months of preparation, marketing, and negotiations, while selling to a cash home buyer can happen in as little as two weeks.

You are able to sell a fire-damaged house because your property still has value. The land value is still on the table, and depending on the amount of damage, much of the structure may be salvageable. A professional assessment will be able to tell you what can be saved versus what needs to be rebuilt.

Step-by-Step: From “Fire” to “Sold” with Four 19 Properties

We’ve streamlined the process to make selling your fire-damaged house as simple as possible. Here’s exactly how it works:

1. File Your Claim and Get the “Scope of Loss” Report

You’ll need to contact your home insurance company as soon as you can, if you haven’t already.
Many homeowners ask ‘Will home insurance cover fire damage?’ and the answer depends on your policy specifics and the cause of the fire.” So that is why you should call and talk to them as soon as you can. 

Take photos and document everything you can before cleanup starts. Your insurance adjuster will create a scope of loss report, which details all the damage and repair costs.

The report is important for determining your property’s current condition and will help us understand what we need to do in terms of repairs. If the insurance payout seems low, don’t worry. We will factor in the insurance money when making our cash offer.  

Last thing – always keep records and insurance documentation handy. Keep things like photos, reports, and any communication with your insurance company. These documents will help us move quickly through our evaluation process.

2. We Inspect the “Bones” (Framing and Foundation)

Since the home has been in a fire, we’ll need to do a complete inspection and really focus on the structural integrity. Other things we’ll check include: foundation, framing, electric systems, and plumbing. Fortunately, we have a lot of experience looking at fire-damaged properties, so we know when to call in the experts, like structural engineers. Ultimately, a professional assessment will help determine if the property can be repaired or if tearing it down is best.

A thorough inspection will also check for smoke damage throughout the structure, which can be harder to locate.

3. Receive a Cash Offer for the Property in its Current State

Using the inspection and loss report, we’ll make you a fair cash offer. We also consider other things like: the land value, materials we can save, demolition costs if needed, and current market conditions in your area.

We’re also going to consider your insurance payout in our offer. We’ll make sure to break down all of the numbers for you, so you’ll know exactly what you will walk away with. What won’t be included in your offer are hidden fees and realtor commissions.

We want you to feel confident in your decision. There is no pressure to accept our offer.

4. Closing: We Pay Off the Mortgage so You Get the Insurance Check

At closing, we handle paying off your existing mortgage directly. This means the insurance payout goes straight to you. No waiting months for insurance delays or fighting with your insurance company about coverage amounts.

We cover all closing costs and handle the paperwork. You don’t pay realtor fees or agent commissions. The closing date works around your schedule, not ours.

After closing, you walk away with cash in hand and the stress of dealing with fire restoration behind you.king it more appealing to potential buyers and increasing your chances of a successful sale.

Fill Out The Form Below And Sell Your Fire-Damaged House In One Simple Step

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The Hidden Costs of Fire Restoration in Texas

Most homeowners are surprised to find out how much it costs to repair a fire-damaged home. It’s challenging to get accurate repair estimates because house fires can create hidden problems that aren’t obvious.

Smoke damage can invade everything and usually requires specialized cleaning or replacement of items, even if they look fine. Water damage from firefighting efforts is another factor that can cause additional structural issues that may not show up for weeks.

During major renovations, Texas building codes require upgrades to be made to electrical and plumbing systems. Although they may not be a part of the original damage, they are mandatory when rebuilding. Over the past few years, construction costs have increased drastically, and many of the repair estimates from insurance companies don’t cover the actual rebuilding expenses.

On top of that, most of the local contractors familiar with fire damage restoration are often booked out for months. So either you wait for the right team or hire someone without proper experience, which can lead to bigger problems down the road.

The entire rebuilding process can take anywhere from 8 to 12 months. During that time, you’ll be paying for temporary housing, storage for belongings, and utilities and taxes for a house you can’t live in. As you could imagine, these carrying costs add up quickly and will eat into your insurance settlement.

Texas Disclosure Laws: Selling a House with Fire History

Texas property laws do require disclosure of known issues that would impact your property value. In this case, fire damage definitely qualifies as a known issue that must be shared with potential buyers.

The disclosure requirements include details about the extent of damage, repairs completed, and any ongoing issues. This applies even if you’ve fully restored the property. Buyers have the right to know about past fire damage.

Working with real estate agents means explaining the fire history to every potential buyer, which can limit your buyer pool significantly. Many traditional buyers avoid properties with fire history, even when fully repaired.

When you sell to Four 19 Properties, we handle all disclosure requirements properly while understanding exactly what we’re purchasing. No surprises, no complications during the legal review process.

Why Texas Fire Victims Choose Four 19 Properties

Traditional home sales can be tough for fire-damaged properties. The reason is that real estate agents often struggle to market these homes effectively. Hosting open houses is a challenge when the property needs major work. Not only that, but the typical buyer who uses financing may not get loan approval after inspections or appraisals.

This is why homeowners usually turn to investors to buy their fire-damaged homes, because they understand what is involved. Plus, they don’t need bank financing. Our team at Four 19 Properties has years of experience, specifically with distressed properties right here in Texas. 

There is no uncertainty, like with traditional sales, when you work with us. You won’t have to wonder if the buyer will qualify for financing. If you won’t pass inspections or get delayed. You will also avoid paying realtor commission fees and months of your house sitting on the market.

As cash buyers, we can close quickly since we don’t depend on bank financing. That’s because we have available funds to purchase right away once we agree on terms. This speed can help you move forward with your life instead of being in limbo with your damaged property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my house if the fire investigation is still open?

Even if the fire investigator is still working, you should still be able to sell. The investigator’s job is to determine the cause of the fire, which shouldn’t prevent property sales. But to play it safe, we’ll be working with local authorities to make sure all legal requirements are met during the process. In some cases, the fire marshal may place certain restrictions, but these rarely prevent sales for experienced buyers.

Do I have to pay taxes on the insurance payout?

Hard to answer. Most of the time, insurance payouts for property damage aren’t taxable income. However, tax laws can be tricky, and your specific situation may have unique factors. We always recommend consulting with a tax professional about your own situation. Also, the money you receive from selling your house may have different tax implications than insurance payments.

Will the local authorities demolish my house if I don’t fix it?

Local building codes vary across Texas cities. Some areas have strict timelines for repairing or demolishing damaged structures, while others are more flexible. We stay current on local regulations in Dallas, Houston, Garland, Grand Prairie, Wichita Falls, Benbrook, Saginaw, and more. Our knowledge of local laws helps prevent any issues with city compliance.

What if my HOA is threatening fines for the fire damage? 

Some homeowners worry about refusing to pay HOA fines related to property appearance after fire damage. We can close quickly to help you avoid ongoing HOA conflicts while you’re dealing with restoration decisions.

Additional Resources for Texas Fire Victims

Here are some helpful resources for Texas homeowners:

• The Texas Department of Insurance provides information about your rights during the claims process. If you’re having trouble with your claim, they offer guidance on next steps.
• Local fire departments often keep lists of certified fire damage restoration specialists on hand. Even if you’re planning to sell, getting professional opinions about repair costs helps you understand your property’s condition.
• FEMA may be able to help if your fire was due to wildfires or another natural disaster. You can find a lot of information on their website, including disaster relief programs that may apply to you.
• Legal aid organizations throughout Texas offer help with insurance disputes and property law questions. These services are often free for qualifying homeowners.

Conclusion

Don’t let selling a fire-damaged house in Texas drain your energy and finances. While the situation may feel overwhelming now, you have options that can get you back on track quickly. Remember, we buy houses in Texas in any condition, and we’re here to help you through this difficult time.

The key is understanding that your property still has value, and working with experienced professionals who know how to handle fire-damaged real estate transactions is the way to go. Don’t let the difficulty of restoration, insurance claims, and disclosure laws keep you stuck.

If you’re ready to learn more about our home-buying process, we’re here to answer your questions. Contact Four 19 Properties today to request a cash offer for your fire-damaged property. Let us handle the complications while you focus on moving forward with your life.