Selling a vacant house

An empty house costs money every month and tends to attract problems the longer it sits. Whether it's inherited, a former rental, or a home you've moved away from, you have more options than waiting.

Why vacant houses get expensive

Carrying costs don't stop. Property taxes, utilities, insurance, and any loan payments keep coming.
Insurance can change. Many standard homeowner policies limit or exclude some coverage once a house has been vacant for a period of time. Check your policy before assuming you're covered.
Break-ins and vandalism. Empty houses can attract theft, damage, and sometimes people who move in without permission.
Small problems grow. A slow leak or a failed appliance can run for weeks when nobody is there to notice.
Neighbors and the city. Overgrown yards, trash, and boarded windows can lead to complaints and code enforcement notices.

Who ends up with a vacant house

Often it's an inherited home that the family hasn't decided what to do with, a rental after the tenants left it in rough shape, a house the owner moved away from, or one left empty after a divorce or a move into care. Sometimes it's an estate where the sale has to wait on the paperwork.

Your options

Sell as-is to a direct buyer. No cleanout, repairs, or showings. We buy houses as they are.
Clean it up and list it. This can bring a higher price if the house is in decent shape and you have the time and money to prepare it.
Rent it out. This works if it's rentable or you're willing to fix it, but it makes you a landlord. If you've done that before, see our page for landlords who are ready to let go.
Keep holding it. Sometimes that's right, but add up the monthly cost first.

Selling from out of town

You don't have to be in Sacramento to sell. We can usually evaluate the property without you being there, and closing with a local title company can often be done by mail or with a mobile notary. In many cases you can leave the contents behind, which we'd take into account in the offer.

Before you decide

Call your insurance company and ask what your coverage looks like for a vacant house.
Make sure the property is secure, with working locks and someone checking on it regularly.
Gather what you can: the deed, any trust or estate paperwork, and notices about taxes, liens, or code issues. See liens and judgments and back taxes if either applies.
Compare the monthly cost of holding the house to what a sale would net you.

Tell us about the house and we'll be honest about whether a sale makes sense now or whether another route would serve you better.

Common questions

Can you buy a vacant house if the utilities are off?

Yes. We buy houses as they are, including those with the utilities off.

Do I need to clean out the house first?

No. In many cases you can leave the contents behind, and we'll account for that in our offer.

Can I sell from out of state?

Yes. Closing with a local title company can usually be done by mail or with a mobile notary, so you don't need to be in Sacramento.

What if someone is living in the house without my permission?

Tell us, and talk with an attorney about your options. Occupancy affects what can happen and in what order, so it's better to know where you stand before you sign anything.

Other situations

Where we buy

Sacramento Elk Grove Citrus Heights Folsom Rancho Cordova Carmichael Fair Oaks Orangevale Galt Rancho Murieta