Fire & smoke damage — Alameda County
Sell a fire-damaged house
just as it stands.
No cleanup, no rebuild, no contractors to manage. A written cash offer within 24 hours, whether the claim is still open or already paid.
About a minute · No obligation · Or call (510) 706-7203
What to know
After a fire, rebuilding isn’t your only option.
A house fire upends everything at once: where you’ll sleep, what was lost, a claim to manage, and a damaged building that still needs mortgage payments, insurance and security. Rebuilding can take a year or more between plans, permits and contractors, and it can cost more than the policy pays.
Some owners decide they’d rather settle the claim, sell the damaged house as it is, and start over somewhere else. We buy fire-damaged homes across Alameda County in any state: smoke and soot, water damage from firefighting, or structural damage.
Your insurance claim and a sale
Your claim is between you and your insurer, and selling the house doesn’t automatically end it. In California, you generally have at least 12 months from the first actual-cash-value payment to collect the full replacement cost, or 36 months when the loss is tied to a declared state of emergency. After a total loss, your insurer can’t refuse replacement cost just because you rebuild or buy somewhere else, up to what rebuilding at the original address would have cost.
Every policy and claim is different. Before you sign a purchase contract, ask your adjuster or an attorney how a sale affects what you’re still owed, and make sure the contract spells out whether any part of the claim goes with the house.
The house in the meantime
A badly damaged house may be posted as unsafe by the building department and have its utilities shut off. Owners are generally expected to keep it boarded up and secure, and an empty, burned building attracts break-ins and dumping. Every month you hold it adds mortgage, insurance and security costs.
Why a cash buyer
Buyers who need a mortgage usually can’t get one on a house that isn’t livable, which rules out most of the market. A cash offer doesn’t depend on a loan or an appraisal, so the damage becomes a question of price, not a deal-breaker.
Selling as-is doesn’t mean selling without disclosure: California sellers still share what they know about a property’s condition. With us that part is simple, because we already know about the fire and price the offer around it.
General information about California rules as of October 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws change and every situation is different, so check the details with an attorney, CPA or housing counselor.
How it works
Fire damage: how the sale works.
Tell us what happened
The address, when the fire was and where the claim stands. Photos help but aren’t required.
Get a written cash offer
Usually within 24 hours, priced for the house as it stands today.
Check it against your claim
Run the offer by your adjuster or attorney so you know how a sale fits with what you’re still owed.
Close when you’re ready
As fast as 3 days once title is clear, or later if you’re waiting on the claim.
Why sell to us
A direct cash sale vs. listing with an agent
| Feature | EZ Home Offer | Listing with an agent |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions & fees | None | Often around 5% of the price |
| Repairs & cleaning | None, sell as-is | Often required |
| Showings & open houses | None | Many |
| Time to close | As little as 3 days | Often 60–90+ days |
| Closing date | You choose | Buyer’s schedule |
| Financing fall-through | Low risk, cash offer | Common |
Common questions
Fire damage: your questions, answered.
Can I sell my house before the insurance claim is settled?
Often, yes, but check with your adjuster or attorney first. The claim generally stays yours, and how a sale affects what you can still collect depends on your policy and the contract you sign.
Do I have to clean up or remove debris first?
No. We buy the property as it is, debris and damaged contents included.
Who gets the insurance money if I sell?
Insurance proceeds are paid under your policy, to you and to any lender named on it. Whether any part of the claim transfers with the house is something you agree on in the purchase contract, so make sure it’s spelled out before you sign.
What if the house was a total loss?
We buy those too. After a total loss, California law also lets you collect replacement cost if you buy or rebuild somewhere else, up to what rebuilding at the original address would have cost.
Will an inspection or appraisal hold up the sale?
No. We price the damage in from the start, and there’s no lender or appraisal that needs the house to be livable.
How do you determine your offer?
We look at the property’s condition, the repairs it needs, and recent comparable sales nearby. We walk you through how we got to the number, with no pressure to accept.
Are there any fees or commissions?
No. You won’t pay agent commissions or pay us any fees. We cover typical closing costs, so the offer you accept is what you can expect to walk away with, minus any existing liens or mortgage payoff.
Are you real estate agents?
No. We’re real estate investors, not licensed agents or brokers, and we don’t list homes. We may buy your property directly or assign our purchase contract to another investor buyer. We’ll always tell you exactly how the deal is structured.
Other situations
Whatever’s going on, we can help.
- Inherited houseHow it works →
- Facing foreclosureHow it works →
- DivorceHow it works →
- Rental with tenantsHow it works →
- Major repairsHow it works →
- Vacant houseHow it works →
- Code violationsHow it works →
- RelocatingHow it works →
- DownsizingHow it works →
- Assisted livingHow it works →
- Hoarder houseHow it works →
- Selling as-isHow it works →
The direct line