What to Do With an Inherited Vacant House
Inherited a vacant property in Colorado and unsure of your next steps? We help families decide what to do with vacant inherited houses and provide a fast sale option when you are ready.
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The Challenge of Vacant Inherited Properties
A vacant inherited house is a property waiting for problems. Unlike occupied homes where issues are noticed and addressed, vacant properties can develop serious problems before anyone realizes: frozen pipes burst, roof leaks go undetected, pests move in, and vandals target obviously empty houses.
Meanwhile, expenses continue: property taxes, insurance (which costs more for vacant homes), utility minimums to prevent frozen pipes, lawn care to avoid neighbor complaints or HOA fines. If the property is financed, mortgage payments continue regardless of vacancy.
For heirs who live elsewhere, managing a vacant property is particularly challenging. You cannot easily check on it, coordinate maintenance from a distance, or respond quickly to emergencies. The longer it sits vacant, the more it costs you and the more risk you take on.
Your Options for a Vacant Inherited House
Option 1: Sell the Property
The most common choice for inherited vacant houses. Eliminates ongoing costs, liability, and management burden. Converts the illiquid asset to cash that can be divided among heirs.
- Traditional sale: 3-6 months, requires repairs and showings
- Cash sale to direct buyer: 7-14 days, as-is condition
Option 2: Rent the Property
Generate ongoing income while keeping the property. However, you become a landlord with all associated responsibilities. The property likely needs updates to be rental-ready.
- Requires investment to make rental-ready
- Ongoing landlord responsibilities
- Rental income is taxable
- All heirs must agree to rent vs. sell
Option 3: Keep and Use
If one heir wants to keep the property for personal use or as a vacation home. Usually requires buying out other heirs for their share of the value.
- Must have agreement from all heirs
- Heir keeping it often buys out others
- Ongoing costs become your responsibility
The True Cost of a Vacant House
Every month you keep a vacant inherited house, you are likely paying:
Property Taxes
Continues regardless of vacancy or ownership status
Vacant Home Insurance
Typically 50-100% more than regular homeowners insurance
Utilities
Minimum service to prevent freeze damage, security lighting
Lawn/Snow Care
Required by most HOAs and municipal codes
HOA Fees
If applicable, continues regardless of vacancy
Mortgage Payments
If any balance remains on the property
These costs can easily total $1,000-3,000+ per month depending on the property and location. A quick sale stops these expenses immediately.
Why Sell Your Vacant House to Us
No Cleaning or Repairs
We buy vacant properties in any condition. No need to invest in a property you are selling.
Buy With Contents
Take what you want, leave the rest. We handle cleanout after purchase.
Close in 7-14 Days
Stop paying carrying costs quickly. Cash in hand, property off your hands.
No Showings
No need to coordinate access or worry about vandalism during sale.
Vacant Inherited House Questions
Vacant houses face several risks: vandalism and break-ins, undetected maintenance issues (burst pipes, roof leaks), liability if someone is injured on the property, difficulty getting homeowners insurance (vacant home policies cost more), and property deterioration from lack of regular maintenance. Every month vacant increases these risks.
Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover vacant properties, or provides limited coverage. You need a vacant home insurance policy, which costs significantly more than regular coverage. Some policies require the property be checked regularly. This is an ongoing expense until you decide what to do with the property.
Renting is an option, but consider: you become a landlord with all the responsibilities involved, the property likely needs updates to attract tenants, you need to manage tenants from potentially far away, and rental income is taxed. For many heirs, especially out-of-state ones, selling is simpler than becoming a landlord.
Vacant houses can actually sell faster than occupied ones because there is no need to coordinate around occupants for showings or move-out timing. With a cash buyer like us, you can close in as little as 7-14 days from accepting an offer, getting the vacant property off your hands quickly.
Yes. As personal representative, you have a duty to preserve estate assets, including real property. This means maintaining insurance, paying property taxes, winterizing if needed, and preventing deterioration. Selling quickly reduces the duration of these obligations.
Ready to Sell Your Vacant Inherited House?
Stop the expenses and liability. Get your no-obligation cash offer today.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a fair offer.