Last updated: January 2026
Sell Your Vacant House in Florida Fast
Empty house draining your wallet? Worried about vandalism, squatters, or code violations? We buy vacant properties as-is for cash. Stop the bleeding and close in 7-21 days.
Get My Cash Offer
The Hidden Costs of Vacant Properties in Florida
Vacant houses are money pits. Every month the property sits empty, you're paying carrying costs while the property potentially deteriorates. Florida's climate is particularly harsh on unoccupied homes—humidity, heat, and storms take their toll quickly without regular maintenance. And that's before we talk about the human risks.
Whether you inherited an empty house, moved out to relocate, or own an investment property that's been vacant, the costs add up faster than most people realize. The longer a home sits empty, the worse the situation typically becomes.
Vacant Properties Are Targets
Empty homes attract unwanted attention. Vandals, thieves, and squatters specifically look for signs of vacancy. Copper pipe theft, break-ins, and even arson are real risks that can turn a manageable situation into a nightmare.
Monthly Carrying Costs You're Still Paying
Mortgage Payment
Even if you live elsewhere, the mortgage keeps coming due. Principal, interest, and escrow payments don't stop because the house is empty.
Property Taxes
Florida property taxes are due regardless of occupancy. Fall behind, and the county can sell tax certificates that eventually lead to losing the property.
Insurance
Vacant home insurance costs 50-200% more than standard coverage—and many insurers won't cover vacant homes at all. Being uninsured is financially catastrophic if something happens.
Utilities
You need to keep AC running to prevent mold, electricity for security, and water for periodic flushing. These minimum utilities still cost hundreds monthly.
HOA Fees
If the property is in an HOA, you're paying dues whether you live there or not. Miss payments and face liens, fines, and even foreclosure.
Lawn & Maintenance
Florida lawns grow fast. You'll need regular mowing, pest control, and property checks. Budget $200-400+ monthly for basic maintenance.
Real Numbers: Monthly Cost of a Vacant Florida Home
For a typical $350,000 vacant home in South Florida:
- Mortgage (P&I): $1,800/month
- Property Taxes: $450/month
- Vacant Home Insurance: $350/month
- Utilities (minimum): $150/month
- HOA: $250/month
- Lawn/Pest/Maintenance: $300/month
Total: $3,300/month or nearly $40,000/year
Risks of Leaving Your Florida House Vacant
Beyond the monthly costs, vacant homes face unique risks that can dramatically decrease value or create major liabilities:
Property Deterioration
Unoccupied homes deteriorate faster because problems go unnoticed. A small roof leak becomes major water damage. An AC failure leads to mold throughout the house. Pest infestations can destroy interiors. The lack of daily occupancy means issues often aren't caught until they're severe.
Squatters and Trespassers
Florida has seen a significant increase in squatters—people who illegally occupy vacant properties. Once squatters move in, removing them can be a lengthy legal process. Some claim "tenant" rights, requiring formal eviction. While Florida has strengthened property owner protections recently, dealing with squatters still costs time and money.
Vandalism and Theft
Empty homes are prime targets for vandalism and theft. Copper pipes and wiring are frequently stolen—damage that's costly to repair and often not fully covered by insurance. Graffiti, broken windows, and other damage can occur, inviting further problems and reducing property value.
Code Violations
Florida municipalities actively cite vacant properties for code violations. Overgrown lawns, visible deterioration, unsecured openings, and trash accumulation all generate fines. Some cities add violations to the tax bill as liens. Repeated violations can result in the city performing work and billing you—often at inflated rates.
Hurricane and Storm Vulnerability
Florida's hurricane season runs June through November, and vacant homes are particularly vulnerable during storms. Without someone monitoring conditions, minor wind damage can allow water intrusion that goes undetected for weeks. A clogged drainage system can cause flooding. Storm shutters may not get installed. Post-storm, looters specifically target vacant properties. The 2024 and 2025 hurricane seasons demonstrated how quickly storm damage can compound when properties sit unattended.
Insurance Limitations
Most standard homeowner's policies exclude or limit coverage when a home has been vacant for 30-60 days. Claims for vandalism, water damage, or liability may be denied. Vacant home insurance exists but costs significantly more and often has higher deductibles and more exclusions.
Why Vacant Homes Are Harder to Sell Traditionally
Traditional home sales require the property to be presentable, accessible, and maintainable throughout the listing period. Vacant homes present challenges that often lead to extended time on market:
- Staging Challenges: Empty rooms photograph poorly and feel cold to buyers. Staging costs $2,000+ and requires coordination.
- Showing Logistics: Someone needs to meet agents for showings. If you're out of area, this is challenging and expensive.
- Ongoing Maintenance: The lawn needs cutting, the pool needs maintenance, AC keeps running—all while paying for it.
- Buyer Concerns: Savvy buyers wonder why the house is empty and often assume something is wrong.
- Financing Issues: Some lenders are wary of vacant properties, especially if they've been empty long. Appraisers note the condition.
- Price Deterioration: The longer a home sits on market, the more buyers assume there's a problem. Price cuts often follow.
| Factor | Traditional Sale | Cash Sale to FL Home Buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 60-120+ days | 7-21 days |
| Carrying Costs During Sale | $3,000+/month | Minimal |
| Staging Required | Yes ($2,000+) | No |
| Repairs Needed | Usually | None (as-is) |
| Agent Commissions | 5-6% | 0% |
| Certainty of Close | ~65% | ~98% |
How FL Home Buyers Purchases Vacant Properties
We specialize in buying vacant homes quickly and easily. Here's our streamlined process:
Contact Us
Share your property address and basic info. Tell us about the condition and how long it's been vacant. Out-of-state owners contact us regularly—we handle everything locally.
Property Evaluation
We'll visit the property to assess condition. If you're not local, we can often gain access with a lockbox code or meet a property manager. We've purchased many homes we evaluated without the owner present.
Cash Offer
Within 24 hours of our visit, you receive a written cash offer. We explain our valuation and there's no obligation. Compare to your carrying costs and timeline to decide.
Fast Close
Accept and we close on your schedule—as fast as 7 days. We handle everything with the title company. You can sign remotely if you're out of state. Cash in hand, vacant house gone.
Real Example: Out-of-State Owner with Vacant Inherited Property
A client in New York inherited their father's home in Fort Lauderdale. The house had been vacant for 8 months after probate completed. Between HOA fees, insurance, utilities, and a property management company to check on it, they were spending $2,400/month with nothing to show for it.
They couldn't afford to fly down repeatedly to prepare the house for a traditional sale, and the thought of managing a renovation from 1,200 miles away was overwhelming. The property needed about $35,000 in updates.
Result: We made a cash offer, handled the entire process remotely including title, and closed in 16 days. They signed documents via mobile notary in New York and received wire transfer the same day. No more monthly drain, no more stress.
Florida Vacant Property Laws and Requirements
Many Florida municipalities have enacted vacant property ordinances that create additional obligations—and potential penalties—for empty home owners. Understanding these requirements is important if you're holding a vacant property.
Vacant Property Registration
Many Florida cities require registration of vacant properties. Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and numerous smaller municipalities have registration requirements. Fees range from $100 to $500 annually, and failure to register can result in fines of $100-500 per day of non-compliance.
Maintenance and Security Standards
Florida law and local ordinances require property owners to maintain vacant properties to minimum standards. Common requirements include:
- Lawn maintenance (often specifying maximum grass height of 10-12 inches)
- Securing all openings against unauthorized entry
- Maintaining pool safety barriers and preventing stagnant water
- Removal of trash, debris, and graffiti
- Pest control if infestations are visible
- Maintaining exterior appearance (no peeling paint, broken windows, etc.)
Utility Requirements
Some municipalities require vacant properties to maintain active water and/or electrical service to prevent plumbing issues and enable inspections. Disconnected utilities can trigger additional fines and registration requirements in certain jurisdictions.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Florida municipalities have become increasingly aggressive in enforcing vacant property codes. Penalties can include:
- Daily fines ranging from $50-500 per violation per day
- Liens recorded against the property for unpaid fines
- City abatement (they do the work and bill you at premium rates)
- Criminal prosecution for severe or repeat violations
- Foreclosure for accumulated liens in extreme cases
When Selling Makes More Sense Than Holding
Given the carrying costs, risks, regulations, and penalties associated with vacant properties in Florida, many owners find selling is the smarter financial decision. Calculate your monthly costs, factor in the likelihood of deterioration and potential violations, and compare to what you'd net from a quick cash sale. Often, selling now saves more money than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Vacant Houses
How do I sell a vacant house fast in Florida?
Sell to a cash buyer like FL Home Buyers. We purchase vacant properties as-is, close in 7-21 days, and handle all the logistics. This eliminates months of carrying costs and the challenges of maintaining and showing an empty home.
What are the risks of leaving a house vacant?
Vacant houses face vandalism, squatters, code violations, insurance issues, and ongoing carrying costs. Florida's climate accelerates deterioration in unoccupied homes—mold, pest damage, and weather issues often develop without daily attention. These risks multiply the longer the home sits empty.
Do vacant homes cost more to insure?
Yes. Standard homeowner's policies often exclude or limit coverage for vacant properties (typically after 30-60 days of vacancy). Vacant home insurance costs 50-200% more than occupied home insurance and still has more exclusions and higher deductibles.
Will you buy a vacant house as-is?
Absolutely. We buy vacant houses in any condition—no repairs, no cleaning, no inspections required. We've purchased vacant homes with mold, with damage from deferred maintenance, with personal property still inside, and more. The condition doesn't scare us.
How fast can you close on a vacant property?
We can close in as little as 7 days. Since there's no occupant to worry about, vacant properties often close faster than occupied homes. Most vacant property sales close within 14-21 days—before you'd even have your first showing with a traditional listing.
I live out of state—can you still buy my vacant Florida property?
Yes. We regularly buy properties from out-of-state owners. We handle everything locally, and you can sign closing documents via mobile notary in your state. We've worked with sellers in all 50 states and several countries. Distance is not an issue.
What if there's still stuff in the house?
Leave it. We buy the house and all its contents if you don't want to deal with it. Furniture, personal items, junk in the garage—we'll handle the cleanout after closing. You just take what you want and walk away.
Get Your Cash Offer Today
Stop paying to maintain an empty house. Get a no-obligation cash offer and close whenever you're ready. As fast as 7 days.
Get Your Cash Offer
Tell us about your vacant property. We'll give you a fair cash offer within 24 hours.