Buying
Buying Abandoned Property at Auction: Risks and Tips
Buying abandoned property at auction? Learn the auction types, due diligence steps, hidden risks, payment rules, and what happens after you win.
Buying & Restoring Guides
General, practical guidance for anyone thinking about buying or restoring an abandoned house. Rules vary by state and county – always check locally.
Permits & Insurance
Insurance and Permits for a Fixer-Upper: A Buyer's Guide
How insurance and building permits work when you renovate a vacant house – vacancy exclusions, builder's risk, liability, permits and inspections.
Preservation
Historic Tax Credits Explained for Old House Owners
How historic preservation tax credits work in the US – the federal 20% credit, who qualifies, state programs for homeowners, and how to apply.
Community
How to Report an Abandoned House to Your City
How to report an abandoned house in the US – who to contact (311, code enforcement, police), what details to include, what happens next, and safety tips.
Restoration
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate an Abandoned House?
How much does it cost to renovate an abandoned house? Learn the biggest cost drivers, how to estimate your budget, financing options, and ways to save.
Decisions
Renovate or Demolish? A Decision Guide for Abandoned Houses
Should you renovate or demolish an abandoned house? Weigh structure, costs, value, history and permits with practical questions and a simple checklist.
Buying
$1 Homes in the USA: How Land Bank Programs Really Work
Are $1 homes real in the US? How land bank and city programs sell vacant houses cheaply, typical requirements, the true costs, and how to find programs.
Safety
Mold, Asbestos and Lead Paint Safety in Old Houses
How to recognize and safely handle the three big hazards in old houses – mold, asbestos and lead-based paint – and when you need certified professionals.
Legal
Adverse Possession Explained: How It Works in the US
What is adverse possession? A plain-English guide to the legal elements, how long it takes, why rules vary by state, and how owners protect property.
Legal
How to Claim an Abandoned House Legally in the US
Can you claim an abandoned house? The legal ways to get one in the US – owner purchase, tax sales, land banks, foreclosures – and why moving in isn't one.
Restoration
Restoring an Abandoned House: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to restore an abandoned house in the right order – securing and assessing, planning, structure and roof, systems, hazards and finishing work.
Buying
Risks and Hidden Costs of Buying an Abandoned Home
The risks of buying an abandoned house – title problems, structural damage, hazardous materials, back taxes, financing and insurance – and how to prepare.
Buying
Abandoned Houses for Sale: Where to Find Them in the US
Where to find abandoned houses for sale in the US – land banks, tax sales, bank-owned listings, auctions and owners – plus the key risks to check first.
Research
How to Find the Owner of an Abandoned Property
How to find who owns a vacant house in the US – county assessor and recorder records, tax records, probate files, and how to reach out respectfully.
Buying
How to Buy an Abandoned House: Tax Sales, Foreclosures and Land Banks
How to buy an abandoned house in the US – tax lien and tax deed sales, foreclosures, land banks and buying directly from owners, plus what to watch for.