How to Sell an Abandoned Property in 5 Steps

Pezon Properties • January 13, 2023

There are a variety of reasons why you might end up owning one and wanting to sell an abandoned property. You can find yourself inheriting a property in which you have no interest. You may own many homes but lack the motivation or financial means to keep them up to date. You may have held a rental property, but your renters left it in a state of disorder that you are unable to repair.

Perhaps the damage to the property has become so significant that you no longer have the capacity or want to preserve it. If this is the case, then it could be the right time to consider selling that vacant property. Here are five useful steps to follow when selling an abandoned home.

How to Sell an Abandoned Property

Send notices

If you’re a landlord, send out notices of intent to sell items and notices of collection requirements with a fair notice period (commonly 28 days). The notification must be published or advertised if the renter cannot be reached.

Find and assemble proof of abandonment

Look for proof that the property has actually been abandoned. This implies that if it’s feasible, the renter must provide written proof. If a renter leaves personal items behind, this may be viewed as proof that the tenant has not genuinely abandoned the property and instead wants to return.


Assemble proof that demonstrates it is reasonable to dispose of the property. For instance, the items may have been low in value or perishable. An inventory and photos are recommended. Additionally, landlords must demonstrate that they tried to reach the renter and waited a reasonable amount of time before disposing of any items.

Examine the property’s condition

Take the time to explore the reasons why particular houses in your region failed to sell. Make a comparison between the initial price and what the abandoned property actually sold for to obtain a fair sense of how values evolve over time. If your abandoned house isn’t drawing buyers or is getting bad comments, think about lowering the asking price.

Decide on an asking price

When it comes to selling an abandoned house, establishing the asking price can be the most crucial issue. If you overprice your home, you will scare away market purchasers who are unwilling to spend too much. If you underprice your home, purchasers will believe it is not worth the investment. In order to obtain the best pricing, consider contacting local real estate specialists familiar with the local market. Be realistic, as the market isn’t friendly when it comes to a high price on an abandoned property.


A real estate specialist may be able to advise you on a reasonable asking price. Keep in mind that abandoned properties come with a slew of issues. The buyer may need to remove the squatters or perform critical repairs, so don’t expect the highest price. The advantage of selling your abandoned property to a cash buyer is that you will receive a no-obligation offer. There is no need for you to establish a price or be concerned about adjusting it. You simply accept the offer and receive cash for your home.

Sell to cash buyers

If you have chosen to sell your abandoned house, sell it to a house-buying firm. This type of firm may provide you with cash for your house regardless of its condition. People prefer this approach to selling abandoned properties since it is quick, requires no maintenance, and has no closing expenses.


If you’re having trouble finding purchasers on the open market, try selling your abandoned property as-is to a Cash Buyer like Pezon Properties, we buy houses in Pennsylvania. You will be able to market the abandoned house as-is, without needing repairs or cleaning. You won’t have to pay real estate commissions or worry about the buyer’s financing approval. In addition, you will be compensated in cash for your home. You’ll also be able to finish the deal whenever you choose, usually within a few weeks.

Reasons for Selling an Abandoned House

Property condition depletion

Houses that are not properly maintained suffer from property flaws on a weekly basis. This is especially true in the situation of abandoned residences when no one is monitoring the property. Even if you continue to postpone a sale without addressing the vacancy issue, you will lose money in the long term.

Diminishing neighborhood value

A vacant house reduces the total tax base since it represents uncollected potential government revenue that might be used to strengthen the school system, roads, and police department. This devalues the neighborhood and the services that the government can provide.

Health consequences

A variety of variables influence public health. This encompasses neighborhood safety as well as living conditions. Substandard housing, as well as abandoned houses, all contribute to a variety of health issues. One study found a link between living near abandoned structures, vacant lots, or buildings and public health issues like mental health, increased incidence of chronic illness, and homicide.

Ongoing expenses

Any property comes with ongoing expenses. There is a significant probability of city citations being issued for abandoned property due to hazardous structures, unauthorized usage, overgrown grass, and a variety of other concerns. If these penalties and taxes are not paid, they accumulate. Maintaining the abandoned house raises your monthly costs, and if the violations or taxes are not paid, the government will repossess the property.

Squatters’ issue

Squatters can lawfully occupy an abandoned property provided they establish themselves and take care of it. This is known as acquiring property rights lawfully through adverse possession. As the homeowner, you may lose the property entirely.

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Mathew Pezon, co-owner of Pezon Properties

About the author

Mathew Pezon

Mathew Pezon is the founder and CEO of Pezon Properties, a cash home buying company located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. With several years of experience in the real estate industry, Mathew has become a specialist in helping homeowners sell their properties quickly and efficiently. He takes pride in providing a hassle-free, transparent, and fair home buying experience to his clients. Mathew is also an active member of his local community and is passionate about giving back. Through his company, he has contributed to various charities and causes.

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