The best option is an FHA 203(k) loan. It lets you finance both the purchase price and the renovation costs in a single mortgage. The appraiser values the property based on what it will be worth after the repairs are completed, which is how the loan amount is determined.
There are two types. The Standard 203(k) handles major renovations including structural repairs, which a fire-damaged home would likely need. It requires a HUD consultant to oversee the project. The Limited 203(k) covers up to $35K in repairs and is simpler, but if the damage is extensive, you'll need the standard version.
Fannie Mae's HomeStyle Renovation loan is a conventional alternative that works the same way, financing purchase plus renovation in one loan with fewer restrictions on the type of work.
The key requirements are that the property must be habitable or repairable to habitable condition, the work must be done by licensed contractors, and the repairs must be completed within a set timeframe after closing. The funds for the renovation are held in escrow and released in draws as the work is completed and inspected.
Find a lender who has specific experience with 203(k) or renovation loans. Not all loan officers handle these regularly, and the process has more moving parts than a standard purchase.
These are typically cash sales unless you can get a 203K renovation loan.
Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
Purchasing a home with recent fire damage in Florida is possible, but it requires a much more thorough due diligence process than a standard transaction. In Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, fire-damaged properties sometimes appear at discounted prices that attract investors and buyers willing to take on rehabilitation, but the true cost of repair is almost always higher than initial visual estimates suggest.
Before making any offer, hire a licensed contractor and a structural engineer to assess the damage because smoke and heat affect framing, electrical systems, HVAC ductwork, and insulation in ways that are not visible to the naked eye. You should also order a professional environmental inspection to check for asbestos or lead paint disturbance if the home predates the 1980s, and verify that the seller has disclosed all known damage and pulled any required permits for repairs already completed. Financing a fire-damaged property can be complicated because many conventional lenders will not fund a home in uninhabitable condition, so renovation loans, hard money, or cash purchases are common routes.
Going in with a full scope-of-work estimate before you finalize your offer price is the only way to know if the numbers actually work.
Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells
To buy a fire damage property. If its going to be owner occupied. You need to qualify for FHA203k Rehab loan and there other rehab loans with conventional financing as well. Any other questions send me a message.
There are rehab loans here is a link:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/203k
Here is a link to down payment assistance programs to help.
https://www.bestrateone.com/down-payment-assistance-programs/