Photos of the damage
Inside and out. Phone photos are fine.
Donate a fire-damaged house in California, as is
California property specialists: (888) 228-7320
Donate a Fire-Damaged House in California
A house with fire or smoke damage that is still standing is often too damaged to live in and too costly to restore, and most buyers will not finance it. Real Estate with Causes reviews fire-damaged California homes as is: no repairs, no cleanup of the structure and no inspection required before you call.
Tell us about the property
Every property gets a look. Name, phone and email are the only required fields.
Fully IRS Compliant
We Handle the Paperwork
Form 8283 Done Right
501(c)(3) Recognized Charity
What we look at
The structure’s condition, any building department tag, the land’s value and the insurance position. A house that can be restored or rebuilt on a good lot is a strong candidate even with heavy damage.
How the insurance claim fits
Insurance proceeds for the dwelling and debris removal are separate from the land. Whether you keep them, use them, or assign any remaining claim with the property is decided before the gift, and your advisor should see the numbers, because proceeds you keep can affect your basis and the deduction.
Red and yellow tags
A red tag restricts entry; a yellow tag allows limited use. Neither stops a review. Tell us which applies.
Donating as is
You do not board, clean or demolish before donating. The qualified appraisal reflects the damage. If the numbers support it, a donation ends the taxes, insurance and liability the day the deed records.
If a donation is not the right route, we will say so on the phone and suggest what is.
What to have ready when you call
Photos matter more than anything else.
Any building department notice
Tags, orders or permits.
Insurance documents
Adjuster report and payments to date.
Fire-damaged property questions, answered
Can I donate a house that has been red-tagged? +
Yes, for review. A red tag restricts occupancy, not transfer. It will be reflected in the appraisal.
Do I need to demolish the house first? +
No. We review the property as it stands.
What about my insurance claim? +
Proceeds are handled separately from the real estate. Decide with your advisor what you keep before the gift.
Is there a deduction on a damaged house? +
Possibly, based on the appraised value in its damaged condition, within the usual limits.
How quickly can it transfer? +
With clear title and one owner, often a few weeks after the review.
We do not provide tax or legal advice. See IRS Publication 526, Publication 561 and the Form 8283 instructions, and consult your own advisor.
Related guides
Tell us about the house and we will review it
Send the address and a few photos, and we will tell you plainly whether a donation works.