“Why Vacant Homes Create Major Headaches“
Owning a vacant home in Washington State might seem harmless at first, but over time it can become a costly and stressful liability. Whether the property is vacant due to an inheritance, a recent relocation, or simply because you moved out and never sold, unoccupied houses are magnets for problems—both legal and financial.
If you have a vacant property in Spokane, Yakima, the Tri-Cities, or anywhere across Washington, you’re not alone. Thousands of homeowners find themselves stuck with an empty house they don’t know what to do with. Fortunately, there are solutions—and selling it for cash is one of the fastest and easiest.
This guide will walk you through the risks of holding onto a vacant home, your legal responsibilities as an owner, and the options available to help you move forward.
Why Vacant Homes Create Major Headaches
Leaving a house empty for extended periods creates more than just an eyesore. It opens the door to expensive consequences, including:
1. Break-ins, Theft, and Vandalism
Unoccupied homes are often targeted by criminals. From copper piping to appliances, anything of value inside a vacant property can be stolen or destroyed.
2. Squatters and Unauthorized Occupants
Vacant properties are at risk of being occupied by squatters. In Washington, removing a squatter isn’t as simple as asking them to leave—it can require legal action and weeks of court proceedings.
3. Property Deterioration
Homes need regular upkeep. When left vacant, issues like water leaks, mold, or pest infestations go unnoticed, quickly leading to major damage.
4. City Code Violations and Fines
Many Washington cities, including Spokane, have property maintenance codes. If your home becomes overgrown, vandalized, or attracts complaints, you could be fined or ordered to make repairs by code enforcement.
5. Higher Insurance Rates (or Cancellation)
Standard homeowner insurance doesn’t cover vacant properties for more than 30–60 days. Special vacant home insurance is more expensive—and without it, damage may not be covered at all.
Common Reasons Homes Sit Vacant in Washington
Not every vacant house is abandoned. In fact, many property owners leave homes empty for reasons like:
- Inherited Property – You’ve received the house through probate and haven’t decided what to do with it yet.
- Job Relocation – You moved out for work but haven’t sold the home.
- Divorce or Separation – The property remains untouched during legal proceedings.
- Rental Property Turnover – Tenants have moved out, and the home is sitting vacant between leases.
- Health Issues – A relative may have gone into assisted living, leaving the home unused.
No matter the reason, you’re still responsible for the property’s safety, condition, and legal status.
Legal Responsibilities for Vacant Homeowners in Washington
In Washington, owning a vacant house doesn’t exempt you from responsibility. Even if the home is unoccupied, you’re still expected to:
- Maintain the yard and exterior appearance
- Prevent safety hazards (like exposed wiring or broken windows)
- Secure the property from unauthorized access
- Keep the structure free of pests or standing water
- Pay property taxes
Failure to comply with local ordinances in cities like Spokane Valley, Kennewick, or Tacoma can lead to fines, liens, or even legal action.
Your Options for Handling a Vacant Property in Washington
If you own a vacant house in Washington, you’ve got several potential paths forward. Each option comes with pros and cons depending on your goals, resources, and timeline.
Option 1: Rent It Out
Renting the home might bring in income, but you’ll need to:
- Repair and clean the house
- Pass local safety and rental inspections
- Manage tenants or hire a property manager
- Maintain the property on an ongoing basis
This option can work for some owners, but it requires upfront cash and long-term commitment.
Option 2: Renovate and Resell
You can fix up the property and list it with a real estate agent. Keep in mind:
- You may need to invest tens of thousands of dollars in repairs
- It can take months to finish the work and sell
- You’ll owe realtor commissions, closing costs, and possibly capital gains tax
This works best if the property is in a highly desirable area and you have cash and time to invest.
Option 3: Leave It as Is (And Pay the Price)
You could do nothing—but vacant properties lose value over time, draw attention from the city, and increase your liability. This is a risky option with no financial upside.
Option 4: Sell It As-Is for Cash
This is often the fastest and simplest solution. At REI Branded Home Buyer, we buy vacant homes in any condition throughout Spokane and all of Washington. You don’t need to clean, repair, or even visit the property—we handle everything, and you walk away with cash.
How REI Branded Home Buyer Helps Vacant Property Owners
We specialize in helping Washington homeowners get out from under the burden of unwanted houses—especially vacant ones. Our process is fast, easy, and hassle-free:
Step 1: Contact Our Team
Call 509-769-3439 or visit reibrandedhomebuyer.com to request a free, no-obligation cash offer.
Step 2: Get a Fair Offer
We evaluate your property’s condition and location and present you with a fair cash offer. We can often do this without entering the home.
Step 3: Choose Your Closing Date
Need to close quickly? No problem. Want a little more time? We’ll work around your schedule.
Step 4: Close and Get Paid
We handle all paperwork and pay all closing costs. You get cash and peace of mind—no hidden fees or surprises.
Why Spokane Owners Choose Us
Homeowners in Spokane and nearby areas trust REI Branded Home Buyer because we offer:
- Fast closings—sometimes in as little as 7 days
- Fair, transparent cash offers
- No commissions or closing costs
- Flexible terms tailored to your needs
- Local expertise and professionalism
We buy properties in all conditions, including houses that have sat empty for months—or even years.
Areas We Serve Across Washington
We help vacant property owners across the state, including:
- Spokane & Spokane Valley
- Tri-Cities: Kennewick, Pasco, Richland
- Yakima
- Walla Walla
- Pullman & Eastern Washington
- Central Washington towns like Moses Lake & Wenatchee
- Western Washington cities including Tacoma & Everett
Wherever your property is located, if it’s vacant, we’re ready to make a cash offer.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Vacant Property Drag You Down
Owning a vacant house in Washington is a risk you don’t have to keep taking. Whether you inherited it, moved away, or it’s been sitting empty for too long, you have options—and selling to a local cash buyer is one of the most stress-free ways to move forward.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we specialize in easy home buyer solutions for people just like you. Skip the repairs, skip the agent, and sell your vacant home on your terms.
Ready to Sell Your Vacant House for Cash?
Call us today and get your no-obligation cash offer in just 24 hours. Let us help you turn that vacant property into financial relief.
📞 509-769-3439
📧 info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
🌐 reibrandedhomebuyer.com
We’ll take care of the property—so you can take care of what matters most.
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.