“Work With Pros Who Care”
If someone’s living in your house and refuses to leave — and they’re not a tenant — you’ve got a squatter. And if you’re wondering whether you can still sell the property, the answer is: yes, but it’s tricky.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we’ve purchased properties across Washington with squatters still inside. You don’t have to deal with the confrontation, the courts, or the cleanup — we’ll handle it all.
What Is a Squatter?
A squatter is someone living in a property without permission — and usually without a lease or rental agreement. Squatters can be:
- Strangers who broke in
- Former tenants who overstayed
- Friends or relatives who refused to leave
- “Professional squatters” exploiting landlord laws
Washington state requires a legal process to remove them — even if they moved in without your consent.
What Are Your Rights as a Property Owner?
Washington law protects squatters under certain conditions, especially if they’ve been there for an extended time. You cannot just lock them out or remove their belongings.
Instead, you must:
- Issue a Notice to Vacate
- File an unlawful detainer (eviction) if they don’t leave
- Go through the court process
- Get a sheriff to enforce removal if needed
This process takes weeks to months, depending on the county. And that’s where most sellers throw in the towel.
How REI Branded Home Buyer Can Help
We buy houses as-is — squatters, junk, and legal headaches included.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we’ve dealt with:
- Homes where the owner hadn’t seen the inside in years
- Squatters threatening violence or damaging the property
- Families trying to evict distant relatives
- Properties with legal gray areas or abandoned occupants
We’ll give you a fair cash offer and handle the situation ourselves after closing.
Real Story: Squatter Situation in Spokane County
One seller in Spokane County had a rental property taken over by a former tenant’s friend. No lease, no payments — just threats and trash. The seller had already spent months in court. We bought the house with the squatter still inside, and our team handled the legal process and cleanup.
Fast Facts: Squatters in Washington
- Legal eviction is required — no “self-help” actions allowed
- Some counties have longer wait times (like King or Thurston)
- Selling to a cash buyer lets you avoid court and confrontation
- Squatter-occupied homes can still be sold and closed
Don’t Fight This Battle Alone
Let us deal with the mess — you just get paid.
📞 Call or text 509-769-3439
📧 Email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
💻 Or contact us here
We buy squatter-occupied homes in Skamania, Spokane, Centralia, and all over Washington — so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a landlord-tenant attorney before taking action against a squatter.
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.