The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Vacant Property in DC
SUMMARY (TL;DR)
If you’ve moved out of state and need to sell a home in Washington, DC, you can complete the entire process remotely. The key is properly preparing a vacant home, keeping utilities and insurance in place, pricing it correctly, and working with a local DC real estate agent who can manage showings, repairs, inspections, and closing on your behalf.
Can You Sell a Home in Washington, DC If You Have Already Moved?
Selling a home in Washington, DC after you’ve already moved is more common than many sellers realize. Job relocations, family changes, and lifestyle moves often require homeowners to leave the area before selling, but a vacant home brings unique challenges that require the right strategy.
The good news? With proper preparation and a knowledgeable local real estate agent, you can sell your DC home smoothly without needing to return for every step of the process. Most sellers complete the entire transaction remotely with the help of a local agent, electronic signatures, and remote closing options. Below is a complete guide for out-of-state sellers navigating the Washington, DC real estate market.
The Challenges of Selling a Vacant Home in Washington, DC
Vacant homes often require more attention than owner-occupied properties. Common challenges include:
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Maintenance issues going unnoticed
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Completing repairs and updates and managing the process before selling
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Buyer concerns about deferred upkeep
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Buyer perception that a vacant home may have hidden issues
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Making repair decisions from a distance
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Sellers feeling unsure about how communication will work so you stay in the know
We take care of the challenges that come with selling a home from afar, so you can feel confident, even when you’re no longer local.
How to Prepare a Vacant Home for Sale
The right preparation can significantly impact the final sale price and how quickly your home sells. Our team will walk through your home and provide a list of the recommended repairs and upgrades, that will get you the biggest return on your investment. We will help you think through these options by ranking them from most to least important, also noting the things that buyers will expect to see at the price point you want to sell at.
Essential Steps for Out-of-State Sellers
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Secure the property, and provide keys to our team, as well as a trusted friend or neighbor
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Keep utilities on while you own the home. These only get turned off once the buyer has purchased your home.
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Deep clean the home and address cosmetic repairs. This helps buyers see your home instead of focusing on the minor and inexpensive fixes, which may lead them to wonder if there are any other larger issues lurking.
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Complete necessary repairs before listing. Our team will manage these repairs to ensure they are completed correctly, and in a timely way. We will provide a list of recommended contractors to use, or alternatively can work with your contractors.
Should You Stage a Vacant Home?
Yes. Professionally staged vacant homes often:
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Sell faster
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Attract more interested buyers
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Attract stronger offers
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Help buyers visualize room size and layout
Staging is especially effective in competitive DC neighborhoods where buyers compare multiple properties. Staging has become something that buyers have come to expect, so when a home is not staged, it can signal that the Sellers have a tighter budget, or really need to sell quickly, which can produce a lower offer.
Our team will recommend local staging companies, secure a quote and furniture plan for your home, and will manage the install as well as the removal of the furniture once your home sells.
How Showings Work When You’re Out of State
Our team will schedule and manage all showings of your home. We will provide access to your home with private showings, or will put a lockbox on your home so that buyers can view your home with their agent at their convenience. We schedule all of the showings, and then monitor property access to confirm when your home was toured. Following the showings, we strategically reach out to the realtors that have shown your home to gather feedback. Following the tour we request feedback with key questions, and then we call, email and text over the next week to ensure that we can gather key information for you. This feedback will help to inform our strategy when selling your home.
Managing Offers, Inspections, and Appraisals Remotely
Once we receive offers on your home, we will schedule a call to review the terms with you, and will send you a breakdown of all offers via email. We will help highlight the proceeds of your sale, as well as the timeline to sell, and the potential risks in each offer, so you can decide which has the most value for you. Once your home is under contract, nearly every step can be handled digitally.
In most cases, you do not need to return to DC for:
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Reviewing and signing offers
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Inspection negotiations
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Appraisal coordination
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Final settlement
Most Washington, DC sellers complete closing using electronic signatures or mail-away settlement services so that they do not have to make a trip back just for the signing. Alternatively, if you plan to be back in town we can schedule at a time and location that is most convenient for you. Sellers are able to sign ahead of the settlement date, so there is a great deal of flexibility here.
Why Our Local Expertise is Critical for You
When selling remotely, local expertise is essential, when considering:
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Knowledge of DC-specific contracts and contingencies
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Accurate pricing strategies by neighborhood and the time of year you are selling
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Access to trusted contractors, inspectors, and stagers that will complete projects correctly and in a timely way
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On-the-ground oversight of your vacant home
Timeline for Selling a Vacant Home in Washington, DC
While timelines vary based on market conditions and location, a typical preparation timeline to sell your home requires:
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Preparation and repairs: 1–3 weeks
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Listing and marketing: 1 week
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Contract to closing: 30–45 days
Homes that are priced correctly and well-presented often sell faster. For a more specific overview of how long homes in your neighborhood are taking to sell, we will provide you with a detailed report of what you can expect, based on the most recent sales, the level of preparation you intend to complete before selling, and the time of year you want to sell.
Common Mistakes Out-of-State Sellers Make
We recommend avoiding these common pitfalls when you sell:
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Overpricing a vacant home
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Skipping staging to save money
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Delaying small but important repairs
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Hiring an agent without DC-specific experience
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Leaving a vacant property without regular oversight
Final Thoughts: Selling a DC Home After You’ve Moved
Selling a home in Washington, DC after moving out of state doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation and partnering with our team, you can complete the process smoothly, often without ever returning to the city.
If you’re planning to sell a vacant DC property, schedule a call to create a proactive strategy to protect your home and maximize your sale price.
Thinking about your next move? We’d love to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to Leah Fernandez at 202.217.1652 or [email protected].
FAQs
1. Can I sell my Washington, DC home after I’ve already moved out of state?
Yes, you can sell a home in Washington, DC after moving out of state. Most sellers complete the entire process remotely by working with a local DC real estate agent who manages showings, inspections, and closing logistics on their behalf.
2. Is it harder to sell a vacant home in Washington, DC?
Selling a vacant home in Washington, DC can be more challenging if the property is not properly maintained or staged. However, vacant homes that are well-prepared, priced correctly, and professionally marketed often sell just as quickly as occupied homes.
3. Do I need to return to DC to sell my house if I live out of state?
In most cases, sellers do not need to return to Washington, DC to sell their home. Offers, inspections, and closing documents can typically be handled electronically or through mail-away settlement services.
4. What should I do with utilities and insurance when selling a vacant DC home?
When selling a vacant home in Washington, DC, utilities should remain on to allow for showings, inspections, and appraisals. Sellers should also confirm they have vacant home insurance coverage, as standard homeowner policies may not apply once the property is unoccupied.
5. How does a real estate agent help when selling a DC home from out of state?
A local Washington, DC real estate agent helps out-of-state sellers by overseeing property access, coordinating repairs, managing showings, negotiating offers, and guiding the transaction through closing, ensuring the home is professionally represented even when the seller is not local.
