The real cost of holding a vacant house

A vacant house is not a paused expense. It is an ongoing one.

When families ask me about holding onto an empty or distressed property, I suggest listing everything it still costs:

— Property taxes, which continue whether anyone lives there or not

— Insurance — and note that a vacant home often needs different coverage than an occupied one, so check your policy

— Utilities kept on to protect pipes, run alarms, or show the house

— Maintenance: yard care, roof and gutter issues, and small problems that grow when no one is there to notice

— Security: an empty house can attract vandalism, dumping, or squatters

— City or county code enforcement, if the property falls out of compliance

None of these is dramatic on its own. Together, month after month, they quietly reduce what the house is ultimately worth to you. Writing the list down honestly is a good first step — whether you then repair, list, or sell the house as-is.

#AlamoCA #EastBay #ContraCostaCounty #SellAsIs #RealEstateInvesting