Vacant Houses in Florida: the timeline, your options, and how to sell for cash
Yes. A vacant house still costs you taxes, insurance, utilities and lawn care, and it's a target for break-ins and code complaints. We buy vacant houses as-is, without you visiting, and close in as little as 7 days.
How vacant house works in Florida, step by step
The stages below follow the Florida Statutes. Each county's Circuit Court, Clerk and Tax Collector handle the local steps — pick your area below for those details.
Insurance gap
Many homeowner policies limit coverage once a home has been empty for a set period (often 30–60 days). Check your policy's vacancy clause.
Code exposure
Overgrown yards, pools and boarded windows draw code complaints, and fines can become liens in the county public records.
Unwanted occupants
Since July 2024 Florida lets owners ask the sheriff to remove unauthorized occupants with a sworn complaint (s. 82.036).
Ongoing costs
Taxes, HOA dues, utilities and storm prep continue every month the house sits.
Exit
Sell, rent, or renovate — each has a different cost and timeline.
Every option, honestly compared
Renovate and list
Highest price, but you fund repairs and carry costs for months.
Rent it out
Monthly income after repairs, plus landlord work.
List as-is
Retail buyers often can't finance homes that need major work.
Sell for cash
No trips, no repairs, no showings. We close by mail or with a mobile notary if you're out of state.
Vacant Houses help by county and city
Local pages include the court, Clerk and neighborhoods for each area.
Bay County · 14th Circuit
Brevard County · 18th Circuit
Broward County · 17th Circuit
Charlotte County · 20th Circuit
Citrus County · 5th Circuit
Collier County · 20th Circuit
Duval County · 4th Circuit
Escambia County · 1st Circuit
Flagler County · 7th Circuit
Highlands County · 10th Circuit
Hillsborough County · 13th Circuit
Lake County · 5th Circuit
Lee County · 20th Circuit
Leon County · 2nd Circuit
Manatee County · 12th Circuit
Marion County · 5th Circuit
Miami-Dade County · 11th Circuit
Osceola County · 9th Circuit
Polk County · 10th Circuit
Sarasota County · 12th Circuit
Volusia County · 7th Circuit
Three steps. Your schedule.
No listing, no staging, and no strangers walking through your Florida house. Here's the whole process.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
Cash sale vs. listing with an agent
If time, repairs or certainty matter more than squeezing out top dollar, this is the trade-off.
| Traditional sale | QuikCashOffers | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs before selling | Usually expected | None — sold as-is |
| Agent commissions | Often 5–6% | $0 |
| Showings and open houses | Weeks or months | None |
| Time to close | 30–60+ days after a contract | As little as 7 days |
| Financing risk | Buyer's loan can fall through | Cash — no loan needed |
| Closing costs | Often split or paid by seller | Normal costs covered by us |
Florida vacant house questions
Can I sell a vacant house if I live out of state?
Yes. We can do everything remotely and close with a mobile notary or by mail.
Does my insurance cover a vacant house?
Many standard homeowner policies restrict coverage after the house has been empty for a set period. Read your vacancy clause or ask your agent.
What if someone is living in the house without permission?
Florida's s. 82.036 lets property owners ask the sheriff to remove unauthorized occupants when certain conditions are met. We also buy houses with occupants still in place.
Do you buy vacant lots too?
Yes. Tell us the parcel number and we'll review it.
Do you buy in every Florida county?
We focus on the counties and cities listed on this page and review other Florida addresses case by case. Submit the address and we'll tell you within a day.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide summarizes Florida law in plain English. For advice about your case, talk to a Florida attorney.
Get a cash offer on a vacant house anywhere in Florida.
Two minutes to submit and a written offer within 24 hours.