Sell Your House
Sell a Vacant House
A vacant house accumulates costs and risk the longer it sits: insurance, code enforcement attention, deferred maintenance. House Junkies buys vacant properties in any condition, no matter how long they have been sitting empty.
Quick Facts
- A vacant house is a more attractive target for vandalism and, in some cases, squatters, the longer it sits empty.
- Some California cities require vacant properties to be registered, with fees or inspections attached.
- Standard homeowners insurance policies often limit or exclude coverage once a house has been vacant past a certain number of days.
- A vacant house still accrues property taxes, insurance, and utility costs even while producing no income.
- We buy vacant properties in any condition, no matter how long they've been sitting empty.
Vacant Houses in Visalia and Tulare County
An empty house in Visalia is still the owner's responsibility. The Visalia Fire Department's rules say the property owner is responsible for keeping up the property, even when someone else lives there or uses it. Under Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.56, grass and weeds have to stay under 3 inches, junk and trash have to be hauled off, and dead trees and bushes have to be removed. A vacant house is often where those problems start piling up, because nobody is there to notice.
If an owner does not handle a Fire Department notice, the City can charge inspection and administrative fees, or clean up the property and bill the owner. Under the City's rules, all of those costs become a lien on the property. The Fire Department can usually give up to two weeks of extra time if you call (559) 713-4026 before the deadline.
Vacant houses also draw complaints to the City's Code Enforcement team, which handles buildings that are unsafe to live in and swimming pools that are not secured or kept up. A green pool behind an empty house is one of the most common reasons a neighbor calls it in. Code Enforcement takes reports through SeeClickFix or at (559) 713-4534. Outside city limits, Tulare County RMA Code Compliance handles these complaints, and for serious problems that never get fixed, the County can move to abatement or demolition.
The property taxes do not stop either. If they go unpaid long enough, the property can end up in Tulare County's tax-defaulted property auction, which the County holds online through GovEase. In 2026 that auction was held March 3, with a second sale on May 19. If back taxes or other liens are part of your situation, read our page on selling a house with liens.
House Junkies buys vacant houses all over Visalia and Tulare County, whether the house sat empty for a month or ten years. Weeds, junk, a green pool, broken windows, or belongings left behind are all fine. If the house is empty because you inherited it, see our pages on inherited houses and probate. If it has open city violations, see selling a house with code violations.
Sources: Visalia Fire Department notice FAQ, City of Visalia Code Enforcement, Tulare County RMA Code Compliance, Tulare County 2026 Tax Auction
House Junkies is vertically integrated: we buy, renovate with our own licensed crew (CA LIC#1077593), and can resell through our own brokerage (DRE #02165291), so there's no middleman shopping your deal to a stranger.
Get Your FREE Offer
Written cash offer in less than 24 hours.
The Process
How It Works
Info
Tell us about your property and situation, including anything specific to sell a vacant house.
Consult
We walk through your specific situation and what a cash offer would look like.
Process
We handle whatever paperwork or coordination the situation calls for.
Escrow & Close
We open escrow with a local title company and you get paid on your timeline.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a vacant house sit before it becomes a problem for insurance?
Do I need to winterize or secure the property before selling?
Can the City of Visalia fine me for a vacant house?
What if my vacant house has a green pool?
Can I sell a vacant house that still has belongings in it?
What if I owe back property taxes on the vacant house?
Top Cities We Buy In
Other Situations We Buy In
Cash Offer vs. Listing
Why Sell to House Junkies Instead of a Market Listing
Listing will get you top dollar with the right timing and a house that is market ready. For homes that need work, here is how the options actually stack up.
Selling to House Junkies
Sell It As-Is
No repairs, no cleaning, no property clean-out. Leave the house exactly how it is, and leave behind anything you do not want.
No Commissions or Fees
There is no agent to pay and nothing comes out of your check for us. The number on the offer is the number you get.
We Pay the Closing Costs
Escrow, title, and closing costs are on us, so there are no surprises at the closing table.
A Cash Offer That Holds
We close with our own capital, so there is no buyer's loan to fall through and no lender appraisal to blow up the deal.
You Pick the Closing Date
Most deals close in 14 days, as fast as 7 if you need to, or later if you need time to move.
Listing With an Agent
Repairs and Prep First
Buyers and their inspectors expect a house that is ready to go. Fixes, cleaning, and staging usually come out of your pocket.
Commissions Come Out of Your Sale
Agent commissions usually run 5-6% of the sale price, plus marketing and other costs.
Seller Closing Costs
Title, escrow, transfer tax, and any repair credits the buyer asks for after inspection get paid out of your proceeds.
Deals Can Fall Through
Most buyers need a loan. If their financing or the appraisal falls short, you can end up back on the market when you need to move.
Longer, Less Certain Timeline
Showings, offers, inspections, and loan approval often take 60 to 90 days or more, with open houses along the way.
Reviews
What People Say About House Junkies
“Had a great experience working with House Junkies Inc. Dominic Mclleland helped me purchase a distressed property and made the whole process way easier than I expected. He was easy to work…”
J N
★★★★★