Selling a Vacant House
An empty house carries concerns an occupied one doesn't. Nobody's there to notice a leak, a break-in, or a failed sump pump until the damage has already spread, and the everyday signs that usually catch a small problem early — a musty smell, a furnace that's stopped cycling right — go unnoticed without someone in the house.
Standard homeowners insurance often limits or excludes coverage once a house has sat vacant past a certain point, which usually means a separate vacant-property policy is needed to stay properly covered. Some cities and counties also require vacant properties to be registered, and a few charge an ongoing fee for as long as a property sits empty.
Utilities, lawn care, and basic upkeep typically still need to continue on an empty house, and an extended vacancy is one of the items sellers are commonly asked to disclose. Many owners arrange for a neighbor, a property manager, or a check-in service to look in on the house periodically while it's empty.
What this usually involves
- Standard homeowners insurance often limits coverage after a house has been vacant for a while; a separate vacant-property policy is the usual fix.
- Some municipalities require vacant properties to be registered, sometimes with an ongoing fee.
- Utilities are typically kept active, at a minimum, to run systems and prevent damage like frozen pipes.
- Basic upkeep — lawn care, snow removal, mail — still needs a plan even with nobody living there.
- An empty house can draw the attention of trespassers faster than an occupied one.
- Extended vacancy is commonly one of the items a seller disclosure form asks about.
How it works
Tell us about the house
Address and rough condition, two minutes.
We introduce it to buyers in your area
Not to a single company.
Buyers reach out directly
They look at the house and handle their own offers. We're not on those calls and we don't set any numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the house need to be occupied to sell it?
No. Vacant is one of the situations we work with — let us know it's empty when you tell us about the property.
Do you handle vacant-property registration or insurance?
No. Those are between you, your city or county, and your insurance provider. We don't file registrations or arrange coverage.
Do I need to keep utilities on?
That's your call, and often a local-code question rather than one we weigh in on. We just need the address and condition to get started.
What if the house has been vacant for a long time?
Tell us roughly how long when you reach out. We pass along what you tell us; extended vacancy doesn't rule a property in or out with us.