There’s nothing easy about fire damage. The smell lingers. The walls are blackened. The roof might be compromised. And the longer it sits, the worse it gets—both emotionally and financially.
Whether it was a small kitchen blaze or a full-on structure fire, one thing’s clear: selling a fire-damaged home in Jacksonville is no walk in the park.
But here’s the truth that most folks don’t hear—yes, you can sell a fire-damaged house. And yes, you can do it without pouring thousands into repairs or waiting months for the right buyer to show up.
At Orbit Properties, we’ve helped homeowners all across Florida sell burned or partially destroyed houses fast, for cash, and with zero hassle. Let’s walk through how the process works and what your best options are when the smoke clears.
What Counts as Fire Damage?
Fire damage isn’t always about flames licking up the walls. In fact, many homes appear structurally sound but still suffer from:
- Smoke stains and odor
- Charred insulation or drywall
- Burned electrical wiring
- Melted fixtures and appliances
- Roof or ceiling collapse
- Structural weakening behind walls
It doesn’t take a total loss to make a home unlivable or unsellable to traditional buyers. And here in Florida—especially with older homes around Jacksonville—fire damage can quickly spiral into code violations and safety concerns.
Can You Sell a House With Fire Damage in Jacksonville?
You bet. The key is knowing who’s buying and how the process works.
Traditional buyers? They’re usually out. Lenders won’t approve a mortgage on a fire-damaged home unless it’s been fully repaired, cleared by an inspector, and brought back up to code. That knocks most first-time homebuyers, VA, and FHA loans out of the running.
But cash buyers? Whole different story. They can move fast, skip appraisals, and purchase the property as-is—no repairs, inspections, or cleanups required.
Let’s break it down a little further.
Your Selling Options After a House Fire
If your home’s been through a fire and you’re thinking of selling, you’ve basically got three options. Each one has pros and cons, depending on your timeline, budget, and stress level.
Option 1: Repair and List
You could hire contractors, restore the house to livable condition, and then list it with a real estate agent.
Pros:
- Potential to get full market value
- Bigger buyer pool once repairs are done
Cons:
- High upfront costs (repairs can range from $15,000 to $100,000+)
- Insurance payout may not cover all damage
- Long timelines—could take months
- Inspection issues may still pop up
Option 2: List As-Is on the Market
Some sellers choose to list the fire-damaged property as-is through an agent.
Pros:
- No repair costs
- You stay in control of the sale
Cons:
- Most buyers back out after inspections
- Price will need to be significantly lower
- May take weeks or months to get a serious offer
Option 3: Sell for Cash to a Local Buyer
This is the fastest, simplest path. At Orbit Properties, we buy fire-damaged homes all over Jacksonville and surrounding areas—exactly as they are.
Pros:
- Close in as little as 7 days
- No repair costs, cleanup, or commissions
- We handle paperwork and deal with the damage
- No pressure, no inspections, no surprises
Cons:
- Sale price may be lower than fully restored homes (but often higher than what you’d net after repairs, commissions, and holding costs)
Cost Comparison of Selling a Fire-Damaged Home
To help make it clearer, here’s a side-by-side look at what it costs to sell a burned home, depending on how you go about it:
| Expense | Repair & List | Sell As-Is | Sell to Cash Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair Costs | $25k–$100k+ | $0 | $0 |
| Inspection Repairs | $3k–$10k | Varies | $0 |
| Agent Commissions (6%) | $15k+ | $10k+ | $0 |
| Holding Costs (Taxes, Utilities) | $5k–$10k | $5k+ | Minimal |
| Closing Costs | 2–3% | 2–3% | $0 (we pay it) |
| Total Time to Close | 3–6 months | 2–4 months | 7–14 days |
What About Insurance Payouts?
If you filed a claim with your insurance provider, you might already be holding a check. But here’s the kicker—insurance money often doesn’t go as far as you’d think.
Adjusters may undervalue damage. Policies sometimes exclude certain repairs. And your mortgage company might require that funds go straight to repairs rather than into your pocket.
So if you were hoping to walk away with cash and skip the headaches, a cash sale may be your only shot at doing that quickly.
Tip: You can still sell the house while working with your insurance. Just make sure to coordinate with the adjuster and your mortgage company so funds are handled correctly.
How We Buy Fire-Damaged Homes in Jacksonville
At Orbit Properties, we’ve bought homes with:
- Burned-out kitchens
- Partially collapsed roofs
- Smoke-stained ceilings and walls
- Charring in attics and crawlspaces
- Melted siding or stucco
- Heavy water damage from fire response teams
We don’t blink at blackened drywall or cracked trusses. We buy as-is—no judgment, no pressure.
Here’s How the Process Works:
- You contact us by visiting https://sell2orbit.com/.
- We set up a quick walkthrough, usually 30 minutes or less.
- You get a fair cash offer, typically within 24 hours.
- You choose the closing date—7 days? Two weeks? You tell us.
- We handle everything—title, closing, and the damage.
You walk away with cash. We deal with the fire.
Common Situations We See
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re facing one of these tough situations:
- Vacant house caught fire and now you’re stuck with it
- Rental property burned, and the tenants are gone
- Home partially burned, and repairs are overwhelming
- You’re relocating and can’t manage the cleanup
- Insurance didn’t cover everything, and you can’t afford the rest
We’ve helped people in every one of these situations walk away with cash and peace of mind.
What You Should Know Before Selling
A few tips to keep in mind before you sell your fire-damaged home:
- Don’t gut it yourself unless you’re experienced. Messing with burned materials or structural elements can be dangerous.
- Get a copy of the fire report from Jacksonville Fire Rescue. It can help buyers assess the situation.
- Cancel utilities, but keep access to the property.
- Don’t assume it’s worthless. Investors see opportunity in houses most buyers won’t touch.
And no—you don’t have to apologize for what happened. Fires are traumatic. But they don’t have to define your next step.
Why Jacksonville Homeowners Trust Orbit Properties
We’re not just investors—we’re locals. Based right here in Florida, we know what it’s like to deal with insurance nightmares, tight timelines, and emotional weight after a house fire.
When you work with us, here’s what you get:
- Fast, fair cash offers—no lowballing
- A stress-free way to sell your fire-damaged home
- Local title companies we know and trust
- No cleaning, fixing, or agent fees
- Friendly folks who care (yep, real humans answer our phones)
If you’re ready to stop stressing about that burned house sitting on your hands, we’re ready to help.
Visit https://sell2orbit.com/ today and request your cash offer. We’ll handle the fire damage, the paperwork, and everything in between—so you can move on.
