Flipping houses in Jacksonville is NOT like HGTV.
Sometimes you’re two weeks away from listing a beautifully remodeled property… and then you walk in and it smells like a campfire exploded inside.
That’s exactly what happened to this 3-bed, 2-bath brick house downtown.
Two months ago it had:
- Brand-new luxury vinyl flooring
- A brand-new AC system
- Completely updated bathrooms
- Fresh paint and a layout that screamed “quick sale”
Then somebody broke in. A fire started (still not 100% sure how). Tens of thousands of dollars and months of work – gone in hours.
🔥 Watch the full video here:
What the Fire Actually Did
I could smell the smoke from the street before I even opened the door.
Exterior red flags:
- Window glass literally melted and drooped like plastic
- Vinyl siding warped, bubbled, and blackened
- Black smoke trails up the walls showing exactly where the flames traveled
- Possible hidden roof/attic damage
Inside – it’s worse:
- Thick black soot on every single surface
- Kitchen completely gutted
- Fire and smoke shot through the AC ducts (entire HVAC system is toast)
- Middle bathroom floor now soft and dangerous (it was already weak before)
- All electrical and plumbing compromised
The good news? Most of the subfloor still feels rock solid. So it’s not a tear-down… but it’s definitely not a cosmetic flip anymore.
This is a full-gut rehab or a true “as-is” cash deal for an experienced investor.
The #1 Lesson Every Flipper Forgets Until It’s Too Late
Vacant houses are magnets for thieves and squatters.
I’ve had tools vanish, AC units stolen, copper plumbing ripped out overnight.
Now I put cameras on EVERY vacant property I touch:
- Blink cameras inside and out
- Cheap hotspot for 24/7 internet
- Doorbell cam
- Trail cameras covering blind spots
Because when something happens (and it will), video proof is worth 100× more than your word to the police and insurance.
No footage = delayed claims = you eating thousands out of pocket.
What New Investors Need to Hear (Most Gurus Won’t Tell You)
- Every vacant house is a target. Plan for it.
- Fire damage hides – walls can look okay but be structurally ruined.
- Document everything: video, photos, floor plans.
- Price it right. Fire-damaged houses still have big value to cash buyers, but repairs start at five figures.
- This business is not glamorous. It’s soot on your shoes, long days, and solving ugly problems.
This walkthrough is real life, boots-on-the-ground Jacksonville investing.
Got a Fire-Damaged, Vandalized, or Distressed House in Northeast Florida?
I buy houses in ANY condition across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra – all of Northeast Florida.
No repairs. No cleaning. No commissions. No games.
Close in as little as 7 days or whenever you need.
Call or text me right now → 904-606-9163 Or get your cash offer in under 24 hours.
I’ll take the headache off your hands.
Talk soon, – Chris Moore Jacksonville’s “We Buy Any House” guy