Sell a Damaged or Hard-to-Finance House in Florida
Quick Answer
We buy houses with serious repair problems throughout Florida. Roof failure, water damage, mold, fire damage, foundation movement, old electrical, code violations, and heavy cleanout all change the numbers. As a licensed general contractor, Max Cohen can price the repair scope directly instead of asking you to fix it first.
- Repair-based property review -- condition photos, walkthrough notes, and comparable sales drive the offer
- close after title and payoff are ready -- severe repairs do not require you to renovate before closing
- Written settlement terms -- closing costs, payoffs, liens, taxes, and title items are shown before closing
- Licensed GC pricing -- repair assumptions should be clear enough for you to review
Max Cohen
Licensed GC • Buying Since 2014
"Repair estimates should not be a black box. If a buyer says your house needs major work, ask what work, what assumptions, and how that affects the offer."
How Selling a Damaged House Works
The worse the condition, the more the offer should explain the repair assumptions.
Tell Us the Situation
Fill out the form or call 561-258-9405. Tell us what is wrong: roof, AC, plumbing, electrical, mold, fire, flood, foundation, permits, tenants, or cleanout.
We Run the Numbers
We pull comparable sales, estimate repair scope using GC experience, and build a written offer after the property review.
You Pick the Closing Date
Accept the offer and choose when you want to close. The title company handles deed, payoff, and settlement paperwork.
How Repair Risk Changes a Cash Offer
A damaged house is not automatically unsellable. The issue is whether a buyer can understand the work, fund the repairs after closing, and still give you clean terms.
Safety and structure
Foundation movement, fire damage, unsafe electrical panels, and roof failure can block retail financing or insurance.
Water and mold
Leaks, supply-line failures, roof intrusion, and visible mold affect repair scope, cleanout, and timeline.
Permits and code
Open permits, stop-work orders, code violations, and unpermitted work can require extra title and municipal review.
Cleanout and access
Hoarder conditions, abandoned belongings, non-paying tenants, or locked rooms change walkthrough and closing logistics.
For deeper repair-specific guidance, see selling with mold, fire damage, water damage, and code violations.
Conditions We Review and Price
The goal is not to pretend condition does not matter. The goal is to price it clearly so you do not have to repair it first.
Fixer-Uppers
Outdated kitchens, old flooring, popcorn ceilings, and deferred maintenance can be priced into the offer.
Fire & Flood Damage
Smoke, storm, water, and flood damage are evaluated as repair scope.
Inherited Houses
Probate, estate, and heavy cleanout properties may need extra title or access planning.
Code Violations
Open permits, liens, and violations need review before final terms are set.
Foreclosures
Behind on payments? Timing depends on the sale date, payoff amount, and title status.
Bad Roof / AC
Insurance and lender-required repairs can block retail buyers but can still be priced into a cash offer.
Tenant Issues
Tenant issues require lease, deposit, notice, and occupancy details before closing.
Divorce Sales
Divorce sales may require both owners, attorneys, or court approval before closing.
We Review Damaged Houses Across Florida
From the Panhandle to the Keys, we buy properties statewide.
South Florida
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton
Central Florida
Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Lake County
Gulf Coast
Naples, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte
North Florida
Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Pensacola
Frequently Asked Questions
How do "we buy houses" companies work in Florida?
A direct buyer reviews the property, estimates resale value and repair scope, checks title items, and gives you a written as-is offer. The important part is transparency: ask what repair assumptions are being used, who pays closing costs, what happens to liens or payoffs, and which title company will close the sale.
Are "we buy houses for cash" companies legit?
Some are; some are not. A legitimate buyer should be willing to put the offer in writing, use a title company, explain deposits and closing costs, preserve your right to review the contract, and avoid pressure tactics. You can also ask for bank letter, escrow confirmation, or title-company contact or a closing-agent contact before signing.
How fast can you close on my Florida house?
A clear-title cash sale can often close after title review. Severe repairs usually do not slow the sale as much as title, probate, liens, payoff errors, open permits, or missing owner signatures. If a specific closing date matters, ask the title company what still has to be cleared.
Do you buy houses with major repairs?
Yes, we review houses with roof failure, water damage, mold, fire damage, foundation movement, old electrical, failed septic systems, heavy cleanout, and active code issues. The condition still affects the offer. It just means the repair work is priced into the sale instead of required before closing.
What areas of Florida do you buy houses in?
We buy throughout Florida, with the most proof and local history in Palm Beach, Broward, St. Lucie, Miami-Dade, Central Florida, Tampa Bay, and parts of North Florida. If your city is not listed, send the address and we will tell you directly whether it is in our buying area.
Get a Cash Offer
Tell us about your property and we'll review whether a written cash offer makes sense.
Official references: Florida Building Code · Florida DFS consumer insurance resources · Florida property appraiser and tax collector directory. This page is general information for Florida homeowners, not legal or tax advice.