An Empty House Is Still Costing You Money
A vacant house might seem like it’s just sitting there doing nothing — but the reality is very different. Every month that house sits empty, it’s draining your bank account and accumulating risk. Mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance (which is more expensive for vacant properties), lawn maintenance, and utility minimums add up fast.
And that’s before something goes wrong. A burst pipe in January, a break-in, a squatter who moves in, a tree that falls on the roof — when a house is vacant, problems go undetected and get worse before you find out.
Why Hampton Roads Vacant Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
The Hampton Roads climate and environment create specific risks for vacant properties:
- Humidity and mold — Without climate control running, Hampton Roads humidity invades the home. Mold can establish in a vacant house within weeks during summer months.
- Hurricane and storm damage — Vacant homes suffer disproportionately during storms because no one is there to prepare, board up, or address immediate damage.
- Pipe freezes — During winter cold snaps (which do hit Hampton Roads), unheated vacant homes are prime candidates for frozen and burst pipes.
- Vandalism and break-ins — Vacant properties in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and parts of Newport News are targets for copper theft, vandalism, and squatting.
- Pest infestations — Termites, rodents, and other pests colonize vacant homes quickly, especially those with wood damage or open entry points.
- Code enforcement — Hampton Roads cities actively monitor vacant properties. Overgrown yards, unsecured structures, and deterioration trigger violation notices and fines.
The Hidden Costs of Holding a Vacant Property
Let’s add up what a typical vacant house in Hampton Roads costs per month:
- Mortgage payment: $800 – $2,500/month
- Property taxes: $150 – $400/month (Hampton Roads average)
- Insurance: $100 – $300/month (vacant home policies cost 50-100% more than occupied)
- Lawn care: $100 – $200/month (required to avoid code violations)
- Utilities (minimum): $50 – $100/month
- Security/monitoring: $30 – $50/month
That’s $1,230 to $3,550 per month walking out the door — on a house nobody is living in. Over six months, that’s $7,380 to $21,300 in carrying costs alone. Every month you hold the property, your net return decreases.
Common Reasons Homeowners Have Vacant Properties
We buy vacant houses from homeowners in all kinds of situations:
- Inherited property — You inherited a home from a parent or relative and don’t want to be a long-distance landlord. See our inherited house page.
- Job relocation — You’ve already moved for work or a PCS transfer and the house didn’t sell. See our relocation page.
- Former rental — Your last tenant moved out and the house needs too much work to re-rent. See our tired landlord page.
- Divorce — Neither spouse wants the house and it’s been sitting empty during proceedings.
- Second home — You bought a second property and can’t afford or don’t want to maintain both.
- Failed flip — You started a renovation project that stalled due to budget, time, or contractor issues.
Insurance Problems with Vacant Homes
Most homeowner’s insurance policies have a vacancy clause — if the home is unoccupied for 30-60 days, coverage is reduced or voided entirely. This means you may be paying for insurance that won’t actually cover you when something goes wrong.
Vacant home insurance policies exist but cost significantly more and provide less coverage. Many homeowners don’t realize their standard policy has already stopped covering their vacant property.
Sell It Fast — Stop the Bleeding
Solutions Home Buyers purchases vacant homes throughout Hampton Roads for cash. We can close in as little as 7 days, which means you stop paying carrying costs almost immediately. No repairs, no cleaning, no staging — we take the property exactly as it sits.
Call 757-744-3252 today for a free cash offer on your vacant property. We buy in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, and Suffolk.