When a property sits vacant, it can feel like it’s simply “waiting” — waiting for the right buyer, waiting for repairs, or waiting for life to slow down enough to make decisions about it. But a vacant home isn’t neutral. It’s an expense. And for many homeowners, those expenses quietly add up month after month.

The first and most obvious cost is property taxes. These don’t stop just because a home isn’t being lived in. Depending on the area, taxes alone can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a year. If the property has an HOA, those fees continue as well.

Then there are utilities. Even if someone turns everything off, most cities require minimum utility servicing. Gas and electric companies often require “active meters,” especially in colder climates where heat must remain on at a low level to prevent frozen pipes. Water services may also require a base fee even when usage is zero.

Insurance is another major factor. Vacant property insurance is significantly more expensive than standard homeowner’s insurance because vacant homes are considered a higher risk. Why? Because problems go unnoticed. A small leak in an occupied home is fixed quickly. In a vacant home, a leak can spread for weeks before anyone discovers it — leading to mold, structural damage, and thousands of dollars in repairs. Many homeowners don’t realize their standard insurance may not even cover damage if the property was unoccupied beyond a certain time.

There’s also maintenance. Lawns still grow. Snow still falls. Gutters still clog. Trees still drop branches. Municipalities can fine homeowners for overgrown yards or poor exterior maintenance. And beyond fines, neglect signals to others that the property is empty.

This creates an entirely different problem: vacant properties attract attention — the wrong kind.

• Break-ins
• Theft (especially copper plumbing and wiring)
• Squatting
• Vandalism
• Animals and pests

Once damage occurs, the costs multiply fast.

Even if the property is paid off, the ongoing expenses of taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep, and risk add up. And if repairs become necessary, those costs can quickly outweigh the property’s value.

For families who don’t have the time, money, or desire to manage a property they’re not living in, selling sooner rather than later protects equity and reduces stress.

Stratton Oak Investments works with homeowners in exactly these situations — inherited homes, outgrown homes, second properties, or houses that simply aren’t being used. We make fair, local cash offers and handle things as they are — no repairs, no showings, no waiting on agents or banks.

A property shouldn’t drain you. It should serve you.

If a vacant home is weighing on you — financially or mentally — we’re here to discuss options that are simple and pressure-free.