“How REI Branded Home Buyer Can Help”
Discovering that someone has taken up residence in your property without permission is a stressful and often infuriating situation. For homeowners in Washington State, dealing with squatters can quickly become a legal and financial nightmare—especially if you’re trying to sell the home.
Whether the property has been vacant for a while, you inherited it, or you’re an out-of-state owner, it’s not uncommon for squatters to move in and complicate everything. The good news is: you still have options. And if you’re looking for a way to sell the house without dragging yourself through lengthy eviction court battles, this blog will show you how.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we help homeowners throughout Washington—including Spokane, Tacoma, Yakima, and beyond—navigate difficult sales, including those involving squatters.
What Is a Squatter?
A squatter is someone who occupies a property they don’t own or rent—without the permission of the legal owner. This can happen in:
- Vacant homes
- Abandoned properties
- Inherited homes
- Rental properties left empty after tenant turnover
Some squatters may be strangers. Others might be former tenants, ex-partners, or even relatives who never left.
In Washington, squatters are not easily removed because of squatters rights. The longer they stay, the more complicated the situation becomes.
The Legal Landscape: Squatter Rights in Washington
Washington State has tenant-friendly laws, and squatters often take advantage of legal loopholes to stay in a home longer than you’d expect.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Squatters may claim tenant rights under Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. If they’ve lived in the property for more than a few days, you may have to go through the formal eviction process to remove them.
- Self-help evictions are illegal. That means you can’t change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove their belongings. Doing so could result in legal penalties against you.
- Adverse possession laws allow squatters to claim ownership after several years (usually 10), but this only applies if they’ve been occupying the home openly and continuously and paying property taxes.
The takeaway? Don’t wait. If you discover a squatter, the sooner you act, the better your chances of a clean resolution.
Can You Sell a House With a Squatter in It?
Yes—but it depends on who you’re selling to.
Most traditional buyers won’t touch a property that’s occupied illegally. They don’t want the risk, legal trouble, or delay of having to evict someone after closing. And even if they were interested, their lender likely wouldn’t approve a mortgage on an occupied home with unresolved title or possession issues.
That leaves two real paths:
Option 1: Go Through the Legal Eviction Process
You can serve the squatter with a notice to vacate, and if they refuse to leave, you must file for a formal unlawful detainer action in your local Superior Court.
Pros:
- Restores your full legal control over the property
- May increase the sale value once cleared
Cons:
- Takes time (weeks or even months)
- Can cost thousands in legal and court fees
- You may still be responsible for repairs and cleanup afterward
Option 2: Sell As-Is to a Cash Buyer Who Can Handle the Problem
This is where REI Branded Home Buyer comes in.
We regularly purchase homes with squatters or other occupancy issues. We understand Washington law and work with local attorneys and title companies to assume the burden of removing unauthorized occupants—so you don’t have to.
Why Homeowners Choose to Sell With a Squatter Still in the House
Here are some real-world situations we’ve seen in Washington:
- A Spokane landlord had a former tenant refuse to leave after lease expiration. Eviction was delayed due to court backlogs, and the property was losing value.
- A Tri-Cities homeowner inherited a vacant home and found squatters had moved in while the estate was being settled.
- A Yakima property sat empty for months, only to be taken over by strangers who claimed to have a verbal agreement with the deceased owner.
- A homeowner in Walla Walla moved out of state and couldn’t deal with the process of removing long-term family members living there rent-free.
In all of these cases, the owners chose to sell the house as-is rather than spend time, money, and energy fighting the problem.
How REI Branded Home Buyer Can Help
When you sell to us, you get:
✅ A Fair Cash Offer
We provide no-obligation offers within 24–48 hours—even if your house has legal occupants you can’t remove yourself.
✅ No Repairs, Cleaning, or Court Filings
We purchase the home in as-is condition. That means you don’t have to fix anything, file eviction paperwork, or even visit the property.
✅ Fast Closing
We close in as little as 7–14 days. You can walk away from the problem entirely.
✅ We Handle the Legal Side
We work with local eviction attorneys and city offices to handle the legal removal of squatters after closing. You get your money, and we take care of everything else.
Our Process for Squatter-Occupied Sales
- You Contact Us
Tell us the address and what you know about the squatter situation. - We Evaluate the Property
We do our research and may do a drive-by inspection. No need to access the inside. - You Receive an Offer
We make a fair cash offer based on market value, condition, and legal complexity. - We Close On Your Timeline
We’ll coordinate with title companies experienced in distressed and complicated transfers. - You Move On—We Take It From There
No court dates, no cleanup, no dealing with squatters again.
What About Title and Insurance?
If the home has been vacant, you may be dealing with insurance complications or title issues. In many cases, squatters damage the home, remove fixtures, or trigger city code violations.
We handle all of that too. Our team resolves:
- Open liens
- Past-due property taxes
- Code enforcement fines
- Title clouds due to probate, foreclosure, or legal disputes
You won’t pay out of pocket—we absorb those costs in our offer so you can move on with no surprises.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Stuck
A squatter can make it feel like you’ve lost control of your own property—but you haven’t. With the right buyer and a clear plan, you can regain your peace of mind and move on without dragging yourself through a long legal fight.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we provide easy buying solutions for property owners facing difficult situations—including squatters, legal disputes, damage, and more.
📞 Call us today at 509-769-3439
📧 Email us at info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
🌐 Visit reibrandedhomebuyer.com
Let’s take this burden off your hands and help you turn the page. We’re here for you, Washington—no matter what condition your property is in or who’s inside.
Sell Your Washington House Fast Today
About REI Branded Home Buyer
Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.