What Happens to an Abandoned House and Can You Buy One?
There’s nothing more tragic than an abandoned home. Laying dormant and sometimes decaying due to neglect. While sometimes these properties become the stuff of urban legends, what if you can see the potential, past the old neighborhood tales, and want to move in?
But can you buy one? Let’s first define exactly what an abandoned house is.
What is an abandoned house?
For those wondering what defines an abandoned home, it is a vacant property, which due to foreclosure, bankruptcy, or financial and legal reasons has been left uninhabited.
Also, a home can be abandoned if there is a death or divorce.
Local governments will seize properties that have been vacated and left unoccupied for a long time and tend to attract undesirable attention. There are two terms when it comes to abandoned properties:
Distressed property, this is a home in a bad condition due to financial problems, or just plain neglect.
Off-market properties are for sale but the listing is not publicly listed or advertised. This is done to ensure that the neighbors don’t know what’s going on. Or they might be looking for a specific type of buyer.
And if you were wondering how to find an abandoned property? Or how to buy an abandoned property?
Abandoned houses are usually listed on separate real estate listings and are, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), houses that are simply vacated and abandoned.
While sometimes these listings aren’t the most picturesque home that most buyers will be used to, these buildings might not require the same amount of capital to make them habitable again.
This being said, they will require some work. But abandoned homes generally are for sale on the cheap. However, no abandoned houses are for free.
So, what should you be looking out for? Or what steps should you take before putting in an offer?
Problems with abandoned homes
As mentioned there are two types of abandoned homes, Distressed and Off-Market. While it can be assumed that the latter homes will be in better condition, both will require you to hire a professional to look over the property.
Hiring a professional building inspector will save you headaches in the future.
These professionals will be looking for:
Condition of the foundation
If there is a problem with the foundation you have a major problem. Your inspector will be looking for visible cracks and signs of degradation. Also, if you require finance to purchase this property, most lenders will walk away. You will be required to generate the cash yourself or resort to a private lender.
Plumbing issues
Plumbing can cause major damage. And in an abandoned home there is the possibility that vandals will have tried to reclaim copper piping from the walls or damaged general kitchen and bathroom fittings.
Make sure that the inspector has checked that all the plumbing is in working order, as latent defects caused by bad plumbing can add up very quickly.
Electrical
As with plumbing, bad electrical power can cause massive headaches in the future. And in an abandoned home vandals might have helped themselves to some wiring, light bulbs, or entire air con units not bolted down.
Mold
Without any humans in the building mold can quickly transform rooms into dangerous areas. Certain molds can be toxic to inhale. If you and the inspector spot mold developing, exercise caution and identify the mold and treat it accordingly.
Infestations
If the home you are looking at has signs of unwanted guests it can quickly become an expensive renovation. This is especially true if there are termites on the property.
Being able to identify whether the home has an infestation problem can save you a lot of time struggling to catch them all.
Dry Rot
Just as an abandoned house might allow for mold to take hold, the same is true for dry rot. With dry rot, it can become a massive engineering headache because if the rot has affected support beams in the home, they could eventually collapse.
All these could transform your abandoned property into a condemned one, which will require you to renovate the home to make it habitable again.
So, how does one buy an abandoned property?
How to acquire an abandoned house
There are a number of methods to search for the perfect abandoned home. It’s also worth noting that the local government is always looking to offload these problem properties as they can bring down the prices of surrounding homes.
As mentioned, most counties have a list of abandoned properties on their books. These can be picked up at a local county clerk's office. But you can actually start the process by simply driving around.
There’s the old “driving for dollars” approach where you drive around the area you’re interested in and search for an abandoned home. Identifying abandoned homes firsthand will give you a better idea of the entire package you could be possibly buying into.
Look for homes with long grass, peeling paint, and general signs of being unkempt. Also, a good sign of abandonment is piles of mail laying around.
The conventional route is to simply look for local auctions. Most abandoned homes, as well as condemned ones, are sold via auction. This does open the possibility of purchasing the property way below its asking, or listed, price. But this being said, auctions don’t allow those bidding on the homes to inspect it before they’re put on the lot.
This is where those who physically drove to the property will have an advantage, as photos can be misleading.
If this is all a lot of work, you can always call a real estate agent.
Most buyers will be apprehensive to purchase their new home next door to a vacant or abandoned building. So, by showing interest they will most likely assist you to source the owner of the building and negotiate a deal.
The last party that will know about the location of abandoned buildings would be banks. Owners of properties who are facing foreclosures or bankruptcy will automatically leave them as they are left with little or no option.
Banks will be eager to have someone take over these properties as they’re losing money every day they’re not cashing in on the previous owner’s mortgage payments.
If none of these routes have worked, you can track down the owner yourself. Log onto your country’s tax assessor website and look up who owns the property. You might be required to pay a small fee. But if the billing address is the same as the abandoned property your search will have come to an end.
But in the case you discover their new mailing address, you can send them an offer on their property.
If you do reach a dead end, you can always reach out to House Buyers of America. We buy homes for cash, and from time-to-time require someone to purchase them.
But what if you’re stuck with an abandoned home and struggling to move it along? Well, House Buyers of America will buy your property for cash, “as-is”.
With a million and one other iBuying services around, why should you choose us?
Why trust House Buyers of America to buy your home?
Since 2001, we buy houses in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. During this time we’ve innovated the real estate game, as well as impressed thousands of customers. It’s this longevity and success that sets us apart.
Currently, we have over 100 reviews with 5 stars, with testimonies from a select few! Most of these reviews highlight that House Buyers of America will:
Sell houses fast
Pay cash for homes
Treat you with the utmost respect
House Buyers of America has also earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which is an organization that helps United States consumers find businesses they can trust.
But it’s our positive rating on Facebook and Google we’re most proud of, with hundreds of positive reviews.
When you’re selling your home, you want to be 100% sure that you can trust the company you’ve contracted to help you. And nothing will put your mind at ease more than reading our clients’ reviews of our services.
But how does House Buyers of America work?
How House Buyers of America works
We’ve ensured that every step is simple, quick, and efficient. That’s why our first step is you approaching us.
Simply give us a call at 855-659-3289 or use our online form to get started!
Within 10 minutes, if the call is made during office hours, we will have a fair cash offer for your property.
Once we’ve gathered your information, we will arrange a time for us to come by the house to finalize that important paperwork.
And once you’ve signed on the dotted line, the money will be in your bank account in a matter of days.
It’s never been easier to sell your house fast.
Get an offer with a click of a button
Sell your home directly to House Buyers of America and can skip all the hassle and months of uncertainty. Simply enter your address – and get our offer with a few simple steps.
Get an OfferRecent Posts
Ways to Sell Your House Fast For countless homeowners, the thought of selling a house as is can be a daunting challenge. One often imagines the leisure to smoothly navigate through the home-selling journey. However, as elaborated below, life throws curveballs like: Job transfers Growing families A sudden demise in the family Financial tight spots Divorce upheavals Relocating for fresh job prospects Mounting maintenance costs Such pivotal moments demand rapid action. That's where homeowners prioritize locking in the sale of their houses swiftly. Trusted partners like House Buyers of America have an upper hand with their comprehensive resources, ensuring homeowners receive competitive, fair cash offers and fast house sales in their tight schedules. Why "Sell My House Fast For Cash" Could Be Your Answer Ever stood in your living room pondering, "Can I sell my home for cash?" Many find the start of the selling journey mystifying. Perhaps, your residence has adorned the market for ages, making you wonder, "How do I expedite the sale?" Such queries aren't solitary. For those in haste, House Buyers of America extends a lifeline. Remember, opting for a cash sale is a lifesaver when the clock's ticking. Collaborating with an iBuyer ("we buy houses" company), like House Buyers of America, shuns realtor commissions with its sleek procedures. Their proposition: an "as is" offer. And if it resonates, your cash materializes in mere days. Related: The Average Time to Sell a House Scenarios Perfect for Our Services: 1. The Inherited Abode: Inheriting a house might sound dreamy, but sometimes it's more of a responsibility, especially if co-inherited or needing extensive repairs. Instead of plunging into rentals, the swifter sale is often preferred. House Buyers of America often collaborate with such families, turning potential fixer-uppers into quick cash. 2. Downsizing for Simplicity: Life stages shift, and a desire to minimize arises. If you're resonating with the "I need to sell my house fast for simplicity's sake" sentiment, know that the condition of your home isn't a deterrent. House Buyers of America promises a quote in just ten minutes. If you've found your next nest, it's wise to seal the deal on your current residence and avoid financial strains. House Buyers of America is your ally in such ventures. Related: Selling An Inherited House What to Consider Before Selling Your House for Cash Any house sale mandates due diligence. To optimize your outcome, being informed is key. At House Buyers of America, we always advise our clientele to weigh these factors before settling for a cash buyer: Time Constraints: Situations like job relocations, unexpected inheritances, or pending divorces vary in urgency. Depending on market dynamics and the state of your home, the sale might be instant or prolonged. For those seeking an assured quick sale, a cash offer might be the golden ticket. How Much Work is Needed to Sell There’s a lot of preparation that goes into selling a home the traditional way with a real estate agent. There’s packing, renovating, fixing up the house, listing photoshoots, home staging, and open houses—the list goes on. The only way to avoid these obligations is to opt for a “sell house for cash” program. These programs, like the one we offer at House Buyers of America, provide you with a fair cash offer based on the current condition of your home—no cleaning or prep work required. We work with you every step of the way based on your unique selling situation. Who Cash Home Buyer Programs Are Right For If you want a simple and hassle-free home sale, selling a house to a cash buyer might be your best available option. House Buyers of America is here to help sellers in those situations. We offer a competitive sales price for your house AS IS, no matter its condition, saving you the time and stress that would have gone into trying to sell on the market. So, what’s the benefit? A qualified company that buys houses for cash, like House Buyers of America, has the funds to make the purchase. You also get a guarantee that the sale will go through. That's never the case with selling a house to a high-tech real estate cash buyer like House Buyers of America. Also, when you sell your home fast to a cash buyer, you know they can process the payment much more quickly because they aren’t relying on lenders or third parties. This means that your house is sold fast, and you're free to move on to your next place. Of course, while working with an iBuyer is usually the best way to sell your home quickly (for cash or otherwise), there are still several other options that might be worth exploring: Related: The Top 6 Reasons You Should Sell Your House “As Is” For Sale by Owner (FSBO) Listing This method allows homeowners to bypass real estate agents. However, the onus of managing paperwork and attracting buyers falls squarely on the homeowner. This route can often be more time-consuming than anticipated, especially if the market is slow. Real Estate Listing This method has its merits, but the time and effort involved in maintaining the house for viewings, alongside agent commission fees, can make it less appealing for those wanting to Sell Your House Fast. Doing “Whatever It Takes” Selling a house requires effort, whether you're working with an agent, promoting it on social media, or hosting open houses. But remember, more effort doesn't guarantee a faster sale. The below statistics demonstrate why this is the case: The entire length of time it takes to sell a home is more than just the number of days your house is on the market. Before your house can be listed for sale, you must do your research to ensure selling your house is the right decision and also find contractors. That takes time. 86% of home buyers finance their homes, meaning they must wait for their mortgage loan to be approved before finalizing a purchase. That adds additional time to the closing process. It takes 30 days, on average, for a mortgage to be approved, and 50 days for the sale of a house to be completed (from initial offer to closing). On top of that, if the house needs a lot of work and the buyer is getting a construction loan—like an FHA 203K loan—you can expect another 90 to 120 days for that to be approved. Why The Traditional Route Might Not Be Fast Enough Traditional house selling methods often require time, sometimes stretching from 6 months to a year. This can be problematic for those seeking a rapid solution, making a "sell my house fast" approach a more appealing alternative. Our team at House Buyers of America is passionate about providing homeowners with a convenient and rapid-fast alternative that puts cash in their pockets sooner rather than later. House Buyers of America's Sell Your House Fast Process Have you ever thought, "I need to sell my house for cash now"? House Buyers of America's process is efficient and designed for speed. This approach is particularly beneficial for those eager to progress to their next life phase without the added stress of a prolonged selling process. The Experience of Selling Your House to House Buyers of America When you work with House Buyers of America, you're working with a seasoned, reputable company. With their history of buying thousands of homes since 2001, their process is streamlined, efficient, and trustworthy. Unlike traditional real estate agencies, we do not require you to: Clean or prepare your home for sale Be present for viewings or open houses Wait until a potential buyer receives loan approval Complete costly repairs Pay a commission fee Instead, we make the house selling process easy by: Providing you with a fair cash offer in just a few minutes Buying your property AS IS, no matter the size or condition Paying you cash upon settlement of your house Providing outstanding customer experience with our real estate team Offering cutting-edge technology to simplify the home selling process How We Make A Quick House Sale Possible If you are hoping to “sell house for cash quickly” or “sell house for cash fast”, we’re here to help. We make it possible for you to: Move forward with your life in a matter of days (not months or a year) Sell your home without cleaning or renovating Save money by avoiding commission fees and closing costs Walk away with cash in your pocket Why Sell Your House to House Buyers of America? In business since 2001, thousands of homes purchased We close on time You never pay any commissions (yep, none!) We work with your schedule If you sell your house to us, you have no worries, no commissions, and no delays. Why deal with the headache of staging a home, scheduling open houses and maintaining listings? Contact us now to sell your house fast and save time and money. We have bought thousands of homes since 2001. When you sell your house to us, you are dealing with a local, established company. You can visit our office and talk with us any time if you have questions or concerns. We even provide you with a real estate consultant to help you through every step of the process. Making the Right Choice for Your Needs While traditional methods might work for some, many find the efficiency and ease of a "sell house for cash" approach preferable. If a hassle-free, swift sale is what you're after, House Buyers of America might be your ideal choice. FAQ Why might someone want to sell their house swiftly? Reasons vary, from job relocations to financial challenges or even unexpected property inheritances. Is selling my house for cash a reliable option? Yes, especially when you want to sell your house fast without the regular market uncertainties. What advantages do iBuyers like House Buyers of America offer? They provide a streamlined process, no realtor commissions, and swift cash offers, among other benefits. Does the condition of my home affect the cash sale? Not with entities like House Buyers of America, as they offer to buy homes "as is." How long does it take to get a cash offer for my house? With House Buyers of America, you can get an offer in as quick as 10 minutes. Is it wise to downsize my home? It's a personal decision, often influenced by lifestyle changes, desires for simplicity, or financial considerations. What should I consider before selling my house for cash? You should assess your time constraints, the current market, your home's condition, and the reliability of your chosen cash buyer. Can I sell an inherited house for cash? Absolutely. Many opt for this to avoid the responsibilities and potential repairs of an inherited property Get Started Today There is simply no other method of selling a home that is this stress-free. We look forward to helping you sell your house as fast as possible. There’s a reason why we have so many five-star reviews—our process simply works. If you’re ready to get started on the process of selling your house fast, the quickest way to do so will be by filling out our online form or calling us at 855-336-7167. After you answer just a few questions, you’ll have the option to accept a fair cash offer, sign a sales agreement, and close the deal. We know it’s hard to believe, but really, that’s it! Sell Home Fast and Fast House Buying House Buyers of America is one of the leading services for people looking for companies promising a cash offer for their homes in Maryland. Are you looking to sell your home? Do you want your home bought now? Rely on House Buyers of America to buy your house fast, AS IS for cash without the hassle of commissions or a lengthy sales process. If you need more convincing, check out these customer sold homes stories. Call us now at 855-336-7167 or fill out our online form to get a cash offer in 10 minutes! Cities and Counties in Maryland Where We Buy Houses Aberdeen Adelphi Annapolis Baltimore Bel-Air Beltsville Bowie Burtonsville Bushwood Catonsville Chesapeake Beach Chevy Chase Chillum Clinton Colesville College Park Columbia Crofton Darnestown Edgewater Eldersburg Elkton Essex Fells Point Fort Washington Frederick Gaithersburg Glen Burnie Greenbelt Gwynn Oak Halethorpe Havre De Grace Hyattsville Indian Head Lanham Leonardtown Lexington Park Lochearn Marlow Heights Mechanicsville Milford Mill Monkton Monrovia Montgomery County Mount Rainier Nanjemoy Olney Oxon Hill Pikesville Potomac Prince George's County Randallstown Rockville Rosedale Walkersville West River White Plains And more! We’ve worked hard to establish the best platform for quickly selling your home in Maryland. With our “We Buy Maryland Houses” program, you can quickly get your home off your hands, all for a very fair price. We’d love to chat more about finding ways to sell your Maryland property and help you achieve your long-term financial goals. Why You Should Use House Buyers of America Selling a house is stressful enough, even if you live in a very competitive state for housing like Maryland. When you add in the trials of trying to sell your house during a personal financial emergency or the emotions of an estate sale, it can be overwhelming. Let House Buyers of America buy your house; as suggested, we buy houses in Maryland and we put a lot of pride into our work. Here are just a few ways House Buyers of America can make a real difference: No Commission Yes, you read that right. House Buyers of America takes no commission when buying your home. This frees up at least 6% in the value of your home, significant savings that you can apply to your next home. With Maryland’s high real estate values, that means you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars. With no commissions, you can be assured that you get a fair price for your home. Related: Three Tips to Sell Your House Fast for Cash Fast House Buying House Buyers of America promises to get you an offer within 10 minutes over the phone. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to sell a home in Maryland, Virginia, D.C., or any of our other markets. That means no more waiting on real estate agents to list your home and then receiving an offer from a potential buyer in weeks or months. Close in as Little as 7 Days Some companies will tell you “We buy Maryland houses in 7 days,” but they don’t have adequate capital or a fully staffed office to accomplish this. House Buyers of America’s goal is to buy houses in Maryland in as little as 7 days because we try hard to ensure we buy it as quickly as possible. We have plenty of capital—enough to buy many more houses than we’re buying now. Plus, we have a fully staffed office ready to handle any new deals. Our commitment to a speedy sale is a hallmark of House Buyers of America. Any Condition, AS IS This is not a gimmick. We buy houses AS IS in Maryland, in any condition—from a tear-down to relatively new houses. Whether it needs tons of repairs or no repairs at all, our purchases are not made based on the condition of the home. Our offers are made in cash for any condition and on an AS IS basis. When Should You Use House Buyers of America? Clients of House Buyers of America range across demographics, ages, and financial situations. We help make it possible for Maryland homeowners to achieve their financial dreams. As a result, there are certain reasons why our customers tell us why they sell their houses to us. Job Transfer Did you just get a promotion that requires you to relocate? Or maybe your local office is closing down and you have to relocate to another city quickly in order to keep your job. Whatever your job transfer needs are, we offer cash for your home and we can close quickly. Buying a New House Perhaps the thought of juggling the sale of your current home and purchasing a new one at the same time in the same local market might be creating a lot of stress. Have you considered having to have your home staged and then factor in coordinating where to live after you sell? What should you do? Put a home sale contingency in an offer to purchase a new house and risk making your offer much less competitive. Or should you buy a house first and then risk not being able to sell your current house, leaving you stuck with two mortgages? This is the age-old real estate dilemma. If you’re in this situation, you’ve come to the right place! With House Buyers of America, you get a guaranteed sale of your house and we’re flexible on the closing date (and no closing costs). After the purchase agreement is signed, your home sale is covered and you can start looking for a new home without worrying about selling your existing home. Divorce Divorce can be a huge disruptor, emotionally and financially. In most cases, the divorced couple needs to sell their house fast so they can divvy up the assets and make a clean break. Many in a divorce situation look for a “sell my house fast Maryland” company so they can sell their house without having to go through the arduous process of a traditional sale. Finding a real estate agent, renovating, cleaning, and staging the house, agreeing on a list price, negotiating the terms of the contract, etc. This is normally a stressful enough task, but if you add divorce into the mix, it feels impossible. Why not pick up the phone and get an offer in 10 minutes? Or simply fill out our online form and get an offer quickly. No need to renovate, stage, select a Realtor, and deal with people traipsing through your house and losing all of your privacy for 6-12 months. Real solutions are well within reach. There is an alternative: House Buyers of America! Financial Distress Are you in a financial bind with thousands of dollars locked away in your home? Most people do not realize they can directly access the accumulated equity of their home in their hands in as little as 7 days until they contact House Buyers of America. We offer fair prices for when you need an immediate cash infusion to stave off foreclosure, bankruptcy, or whatever life throws at you. Medical Emergency, Retired, Downsizing Some of our clients are elderly and have stayed in their homes for years, but have stumbled into a medical emergency and need the equity in their homes to pay for hospital bills. When this is the case, whether you are a homeowner or a care provider, you might need to sell your Maryland home quite quickly. Others simply want a hassle-free solution for downsizing into a smaller home and want equity in their legacy home. Estate Sales House Buyers of America have also helped thousands of people who have suddenly inherited an unwanted or unneeded property. When dealing with an estate, many heirs can’t decide or agree on when to sell the house or who will take care of the paperwork, so the house is left sitting vacant and deteriorating for months or years. Estate sales can bring out the worst in people and families often get torn apart in the process. The traditional real estate process can be complicated and often doesn’t work well for estate sales. The unique estate laws that apply in Maryland can also create some additional complications. So why not try a simple, fast, and hassle-free solution that all of your family members can agree on? Get an all-cash offer in as little as 10 minutes by contacting House Buyers of America. A Fresh Start We’ve talked about several reasons you might want to sell your Maryland house to a cash buyer. Then there are those unfortunate circumstances in life that require a complete and total liquidation of your assets when you need a speedy exit from your current home and town. By getting an all-cash, guaranteed offer from House Buyers of America and getting your house sold in as little as 7 days, you get that fresh start without waiting. That’s why we continue to be the choice of people looking to “sell house fast in Maryland,” as well as other nearby states.