Do you have an unwanted property sitting vacant and slowly deteriorating? Maybe the windows have been broken, the yard is overgrown, and code enforcement notices are piling up.
Either way, here’s how to sell a vacant property quickly and hassle-free while still getting the most for its value.
Why It’s Hard to Sell a Vacant House
If your property has only been vacant for a short time, selling it shouldn’t be too difficult. However, once a home starts showing signs of damage or neglect, things change quickly. Banks are unlikely to lend on a property that isn’t in “marketable” condition, and without financing, traditional buyers can’t purchase it.
Here’s what banks usually require before approving a loan:
- No termites or wood-destroying insects
- No roof or exterior damage
- No foundation issues
- No exposed or unsafe electrical wiring
- All utilities functioning properly
- Working heating system that heats the home adequately
- No peeling lead-based paint
- Adequate crawl space access and ventilation
- Properly functioning water heater and safe tap water
- No mold or other health hazards
- Safe access and proper handrails
- Overall “marketable” condition
If any of these items are broken or missing, your buyer won’t be able to get a loan until repairs are completed.
To find out what needs fixing before listing, it’s smart to order a home inspection, which typically costs between $250 and $500. You’ll receive a clear list of what must be addressed.
If you’d rather skip the repairs and sell as-is, you can call Your Trusted Buyer for a fair cash offer. We specialize in taking on projects like this. Call us at (888) 569-9890.
The Liabilities of Keeping a Vacant House
It’s risky to let a property sit empty for too long. Vacant homes often attract squatters, vandalism, and safety issues.
In many neighborhoods, squatters look for empty houses to occupy. They move in, bring belongings, use plumbing, light fires to stay warm, and soon rodents and other problems follow.
Even worse, if someone gets hurt on your property, you could be held liable. It’s not uncommon to see news stories about children injured while playing in abandoned houses.
The longer a house sits empty, the faster it deteriorates — and the greater the financial and legal risk.
How to Value a Vacant Property
Valuing a vacant house can be tricky, especially if it needs repairs or fails to meet lending requirements.
To estimate its value, compare it to similar homes of the same size and condition that sold in the last 6–12 months. However, most vacant or distressed homes don’t sell on the open market; they are typically sold privately to investors or family members.
If your home needs significant work, expect it to be worth less than updated, move-in-ready properties. For extra guidance, see our article How to Fix a Property and What’s Worth Remodeling.
Who You Can Sell To
If your property can’t qualify for financing, a traditional retail buyer is unlikely to purchase it. That leaves real estate investors, who are the only buyers that consistently purchase homes needing repairs.
You have two main selling options:
- Sell on the open market and wait for an investor offer. These offers usually come at a discount, and you’ll still pay closing costs and agent commissions.
- Sell off-market directly to a local investor like us. We make fair, all-cash offers with no commissions, no repairs, and no closing costs.
Ready to Sell Your Vacant House?
If you’d like to see how much your vacant home could sell for today, call Your Trusted Buyer at (888) 569-9890 for a commission-free, repair-free cash offer you can trust. We handle everything from start to finish so you can move forward without the stress.
