There is no single deadline that tells every Glen Burnie owner when to sell an empty house. How long you can hold it depends on your insurance terms, the condition of the property and the bills you can carry. Check those now, before deciding to leave the house empty for another few months.
Will my homeowners insurance cover an empty house?
A Glen Burnie house can lose some or all of its insurance coverage while vacant or unoccupied, even if the owner keeps paying the premium. The Maryland Insurance Administration warns homeowners to ask their insurer which coverage may be suspended and how to obtain the coverage they need. Your policy decides the terms; a general deadline found online is not enough.
Tell the insurer when the last occupant moved out, whether furniture remains and what you plan to do with the property. Ask how the policy defines vacant and unoccupied, when coverage changes and whether you need a different policy or an endorsement.
Get the answer in writing and add any change in premium to your monthly budget. Before choosing to wait another few months, make sure you know which losses your insurer would cover at the empty house.
What does Anne Arundel County require while the house sits?
Anne Arundel County requires vacant structures and land to stay clean, safe, secure and sanitary. A house open to casual entry must be secured, closed or boarded up. An empty house still needs someone to notice a broken window or an unsecured door.
Arrange regular checks and keep up with exterior maintenance. If you have moved away, decide who can visit and respond when something changes. Share any county notice with the person looking after the house. The upkeep continues until you sell.
How do I decide whether waiting is costing too much?
Write down the monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep you still pay. If your mortgage payment includes taxes and insurance through escrow, count those costs once. Add the cost of someone checking the property if you cannot do it yourself. Use your actual bills rather than an average for Glen Burnie.
Multiply that total by the months you expect to hold the house. Add any work needed to rent it again, repair it for a listing or sell it as is. Compare what you expect to keep after those costs. A higher sale price later may leave you with less if getting there takes more time and money.
Can I sell the house while it is still empty and needs work?
Yes. Memorable Home Buyers buys vacant Glen Burnie houses as is. You do not have to move back in or fix up the rooms before contacting us. Tell us how long the property has been empty, what you know about its condition and how access can be arranged.
We look at the property and discuss a cash offer. If the number works for you, we agree on a closing date and use a settlement company to complete the sale. You can compare that offer with the cost of holding the house longer before choosing what to do.
Call or text 443-363-0949 to discuss your vacant Glen Burnie property.
Related reading
These guides help you compare sale expenses and the work a property may need.