Sell Your House with Squatters

Finding out that squatters are living in your property is every homeowner’s nightmare. It’s scary, frustrating, and can make you feel powerless in your own house. Whether it’s an inherited home that got taken over, a rental where the tenant stopped paying and won’t leave, or any vacant property that strangers moved into – dealing with squatters in Louisiana or Mississippi is a major stress. Many homeowners in this situation just want to be done with the property altogether. But who would buy a house with unwanted occupants? We will.

Home Buyer Louisiana has experience purchasing homes “as-is” even when squatters are present. We understand the panic you might feel: “I can’t even step foot in my own house. They’ve changed the locks!” or “They’re damaging the place – every day this goes on, it gets worse.” You might also be facing legal hurdles to evict them. The good news is, you can sell a house with squatters in it, and we can make that happen quickly. We’ll take on the problem – and you walk away with cash in hand and peace of mind.

The Reality of Squatters – and Why Selling Might Be Your Best Option

Squatters are individuals occupying a property without the owner’s permission and without a lease. In many cases they’re trespassers that found an empty home and moved in. Unfortunately, once they’re inside and have been there a little while, removing them isn’t as simple as calling the cops (though laws are changing, which we’ll discuss). Traditionally, you’ve had to go through the civil eviction process, as if they were tenants – which can take weeks or months. All the while, they could be causing serious damage or even engaging in illegal activities on the premises.

For a homeowner, this situation is distressing on multiple levels:

• Financially, your property’s value is plummeting. Squatters rarely take care of a home; they may be trashing it. And you’re not receiving any rent. In fact, you might still be paying the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and now possibly legal fees to try to get them out. It’s a bleeding expense with no income.

• Legally, it’s a headache. Both Louisiana and Mississippi have had relatively lengthy adverse possession laws (the doctrine under which long-term squatters could attempt to claim ownership). In Louisiana, a squatter typically would need 30 years of continuous occupancy to even try an adverse possession claim (or 10 years if they have color of title and good faith) so in most cases, your squatter isn’t anywhere close to owning your property. Mississippi requires around 10 years of continuous occupation and even paying taxes to claim ownership. So legally, they likely have no valid claim on your house. But getting them out still involves legal steps. If you’ve ever tried to navigate the court eviction process, you know it can be slow and frustrating. And if squatters know how to “game” the system, they might file appeals or claim rights that drag it out.

• Safety and Stress, perhaps the worst part, is the anxiety and fear. Some squatters can be aggressive or dangerous – confronting them could risk your safety. Even if they’re non-violent, it’s incredibly stressful knowing strangers are living in your house against your will. You lose sleep worrying: What are they doing in there? Will the house even be livable after this? Your neighbors might be complaining, the police might say their hands are tied (traditionally), and you feel stuck in a nightmare.

Given all this, it’s no surprise many owners think “I just want to sell this house – squatters and all – and move on.” However, selling a house with active squatters through the normal market is extremely difficult:

• Real estate agents and regular buyers are usually unwilling to touch an occupied home (unless it’s a paying tenant under lease, which is different). Squatters make title and possession messy. Most buyers demand the property be delivered vacant at closing.

• Even if someone considers buying, they’ll significantly lowball the price because they know they’re inheriting a problem. The pool of willing buyers is tiny.

This is where Home Buyer Louisiana comes in. We aren’t afraid of squatters. We have the resources and know-how to handle the situation after we buy the home. You don’t need to evict them first – we’ll take that on. By selling to us, you effectively transfer the headache and the risk to our shoulders, and you get to rid yourself of the problem now, rather than potentially months later.

How We Handle Buying a Home with Squatters

You might be wondering, “How would this work? Do I have to do anything with the squatters during the sale?” The process is simpler than you think on your end:

1. We assess the home’s value as if it were vacant – We’ll evaluate the property condition (sometimes we may have to do a drive-by or even peek through windows if squatters won’t let us in). We also factor in the neighborhood and the fixed features of the house (size, layout, etc.). From there, we come up with a cash offer that accounts for the extra hassle we’ll undertake (the eviction, repairs, etc.). Yes, our offer will likely be less than what you’d get in an ideal scenario of a perfect house with no issues – but remember, that ideal scenario isn’t on the table right now. Given the circumstances, our offer will be fair and likely much higher than what any other avenue could provide (since most buyers won’t offer at all). We’ll be transparent about how we arrive at the number.

2. We agree and sign a purchase contract – Just like any home sale, we sign an agreement. In it, we acknowledge we’re buying the property occupied by squatters and will take responsibility for that. We typically set a closing date quickly (often within days or a couple of weeks, depending on how fast you want to close and if any legal preparations are needed).

3. Closing and Getting Paid – At closing, you’ll sign the deed over to us, and you get your payment in full. This is typically done through a title company or closing attorney for safety and legality. Once it’s closed, you receive your funds (via wire or check), and the property is officially ours – along with the squatters. It’s important to highlight: once you’ve been paid and the sale is done, the squatters are no longer your problem. If they damage something the next day or if eviction takes another two months, that’s on us. You’ve gotten your money and are free of this burden.

4. Post-Sale: We Handle the Squatter Removal – After closing, we step in as the new owner to remove the squatters. We’ll use every legal tool available. Thankfully, recent changes in law are on our side (and would have been on yours too, but again, we’re taking that off your plate). For example:

   • In Louisiana, a new law was passed that allows police to treat squatting as a criminal offense (burglary) in many cases. This means, whereas before owners were told “It’s a civil matter, go to eviction court,” now if someone is clearly in your property illegally with no lease, police can intervene and arrest them on the spot. As the new owners, we’ll coordinate with law enforcement using this law to expedite removal. (This law reflects how serious the squatting issue got in LA – up to 12 years in prison penalties for squatters now.) We stay up-to-date on these legal shifts, so we can act swiftly.

   • In Mississippi, lawmakers have been pushing similar protections. In early 2025, the Mississippi House passed a bill to create a faster squatter removal process. This “Real Property Owners Protection Act” would allow law enforcement to give squatters a 3-day notice, then remove them if they can’t prove a right to be there – essentially streamlining the eviction of squatters. By the time you’re reading this, that may already be law (expected effective July 1, 2025). What this means is in MS we can likely get squatters out within a couple of weeks through the police and courts, rather than the old drawn-out eviction.

   • Regardless of state, we’re prepared to also offer “cash for keys” if it makes sense – sometimes the simplest way is to pay the squatters a small sum to leave immediately. It might seem irritating to pay the intruders, but it can be cheaper and faster than legal battles. We’ve done this before: basically, we approach the squatters after we own the house and say, “Look, we’re the new owners. We need you out. We’re willing to give you $X if you vacate in the next 48 hours without destroying anything.” Often, they’ll take the deal. We handle that negotiation – you don’t have to be involved or condone it; it’s just one of many tools we use to protect our investment.

   • If legal eviction is necessary, we have attorneys who will file the needed papers right away. Since we’re familiar with the process, there’s no learning curve – it gets handled efficiently.

5. Rehabilitation – After the squatters are gone, we will secure the property, clean it out, and eventually renovate or repair as needed. We fully expect there could be damage: broken doors, trash, maybe worse. We’re not naive to it. But that’s our business – we’re equipped to restore houses. You, thankfully, won’t have to see or deal with any of that mess.

Why Sell Instead of Fighting It Out?

You might be wrestling with the decision: Should I try to evict the squatters then sell, or just sell it as-is now? Here are some points to consider, which often lead homeowners to just sell now:

• Time and Stress Savings: Every week you wait for an eviction to finalize is another week of stress and potential property damage. If you sell to us today, the stress ends today – for you, at least. The mental relief of saying “It’s not my problem anymore” cannot be overstated. Life is short; you shouldn’t spend it dealing with squatter drama and courts if you don’t have to.

• Financial Certainty: There’s no guarantee how long an eviction could take or what it might cost. Legal fees can mount, especially if squatters contest or exploit legal delays. They might also leave the house in terrible condition, which then you’d have to pay to clean or fix to sell. By selling to us now, you get a certain payout upfront. Yes, we factor in that we’ll handle the costs later, but that means you avoid unpredictable expenses. You get a clean break financially – cash in hand, no more property tax or utility bills on that house, no more what-ifs about repair costs.

• Avoiding Confrontation: If you’re at your wits’ end, you might be tempted to take matters into your own hands with the squatters. Please be cautious – self-help evictions (like changing locks or shutting off water) can actually be illegal, and confronting squatters can be dangerous. Selling the house is a legal, safe way to resolve the situation. Once we’re the owner, we’ll handle the hard conversations or enforcement. You can remove yourself from what could potentially become an unsafe confrontation.

• We Buy Problem Houses Regularly: This isn’t new for us. From homes with title issues, hoarder houses, fire-damaged homes, to yes, houses full of squatters, we’ve seen it all. We actually have a bit of a soft spot for helping owners out of these nightmare scenarios – it’s incredibly satisfying for us to turn a problem into a win-win solution. So, you can trust that when we say we’ll buy your squatter-occupied house, we mean it and have the track record to back it up.

Psychological and Emotional Relief

Let’s talk about the toll this situation takes on you. If you’re reading this, you’re likely very distressed. Maybe this property was something you inherited from a loved one, and it breaks your heart that strangers are defiling it. Or maybe it’s a rental that was supposed to be your retirement nest egg, and now it’s become a source of nightmares. You might feel anger – why is this happening to me? You might feel embarrassment or shame – like you “failed” to protect your property (though in truth, squatters can happen to anyone, and it’s not your fault). There’s often a sense of violation – your space, your investment, has been taken over.

We want you to know we empathize. It’s a horrible situation, and you deserve to get out of it and move on to something better. When you call us, you’ll find a listening ear. We won’t blame you or judge you. Our focus is on solutions and reassurance. Many of our clients in similar shoes have told us that the day they sold the house was the first time they slept soundly in months. That kind of relief – that’s why we do what we do.

There’s also the matter of your reputation or responsibilities. If neighbors or the city know about the squatters, you might be getting pressure or citations (for code violations, etc.). It can feel like you’re looked at as a “bad” property owner, even though you’re the victim here. By resolving the situation through a sale, you can address those external pressures. The eyesore or nuisance in the neighborhood gets dealt with when we eventually rehab the house. The city or HOA stops sending you notices. That cloud of guilt or embarrassment lifts.

Our Promise of Professionalism and Integrity

It might sound too good – a company willing to buy a squatter-occupied house. You might wonder if we’re legitimate or if there’s a catch. Here’s our promise: we operate with full transparency and integrity. We will show you any documentation you need, we’ll use reputable local closing attorneys or title companies to ensure everything is above board, and we’ll make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

Home Buyer Louisiana is a well-established buyer in the region. We have a reputation to uphold. If at any point you have questions or doubts, ask us – we’ll gladly provide answers, references, or whatever you need to feel secure. Selling your house is a big decision, and even though you’re in a tough spot, you should never feel pressured or deceived. We want you to feel 100% confident when you choose us.

Imagine Tomorrow Without This Problem

Close your eyes for a moment and picture your life without the squatter issue. What would that mean for you? Perhaps financial freedom – you could use the cash from the sale to pay off a loan or invest elsewhere. Perhaps emotional freedom – no more dread when the phone rings (wondering if it’s a neighbor or the police about the house), no more knot in your stomach every time you think about the property. Perhaps it’s simply the ability to drive by that street and not feel anger because it’s not your concern anymore. That’s what we’re offering: a chance to take this weight off your shoulders now, not months from now.

The house with squatters might feel like a lost cause to you, but to us it’s an opportunity to do what we do best – fix problems, revitalize properties, and create value. Let us turn your problem into our project, while you walk away into a brighter situation.

Benefits of Selling Your Squatter House to Home Buyer Louisiana:

• Fast Relief: We move quickly. From first contact to closing can be a matter of days if needed. Speed is crucial when dealing with squatters – the sooner it’s sold, the sooner you’re free. We don’t need to wait for bank approvals or lengthy inspections. It’s a cash transaction on a timeline that works for you.

• No Cleanup or Prep: Don’t worry for one second about trying to go clean up the property or remove junk the squatters left. You don’t have to set foot in that house. Leave it exactly as it is. We’ll take care of everything post-sale, from clearing out debris to changing locks. You are explicitly not responsible for any of that once you decide to sell to us.

• Fair Cash Price: We will offer a fair price considering the condition and situation. Yes, it will reflect the reality of the squatter discount, but it will be a real, spendable cash amount that you can count on. No worrying about a buyer backing out last-minute because they’re scared of the squatters. We will close and you will get that money.

• We Handle Legal Complexities: If you have already started legal proceedings (like you filed for eviction), we can step into your shoes on those or coordinate with your attorney to transfer the case to our name after closing. If you haven’t begun anything, that’s fine too. We have our own legal resources ready. In short, you won’t be stuck navigating any legal details post-sale – that all becomes our responsibility.

• Peace of Mind Guarantee: Until that closing, you might worry “What if the squatters cause some irreparable damage or the deal falls through?” Know that when we say we’re buying it, barring something truly catastrophic like the house burns down completely (heaven forbid), we intend to see it through. We’re not scared off by a hole in the wall or a mess. We expect those. So you can have peace of mind that once we shake hands (figuratively) on the deal, it’s as good as done.

• Community Impact: This may not be your top concern right now, but it’s nice to know – by selling to us, you’re indirectly helping improve the community. That house with squatters likely drags down neighborhood morale and value. Our plan will be to lawfully remove them and eventually renovate the home, turning it into a safe, livable property again for someone new. It’s a positive outcome from a negative situation. And it starts with your decision to sell. Many neighbors are actually grateful when a company like ours steps in to resolve a squatter situation – it means a blight will be cleaned up. So you can feel good about that outcome too.

Take Control and Get Your Life Back

You’ve been living in reaction to the squatter problem – putting out fires, feeling anxious, unsure what to do. Now is the time to take control. By opting to sell your house to Home Buyer Louisiana, you make the decisive move that ends the chaos. It’s empowering to reclaim that control.

We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible. Even if you’re just exploring options, we’re happy to talk you through what a sale would look like. There’s no obligation and absolutely no cost to inquire. We will treat your call with priority because we understand the urgency. And don’t worry – contacting us doesn’t alert the squatters or anything. We maintain discretion; all our communication will be with you privately.

When you contact us, we’ll likely ask for the property address, a rundown of the situation (how many squatters, known entry points, any police reports filed, etc. – basic info to help us gauge things), and then we’ll schedule a time to evaluate the house. If you have any documentation like photos or notes from neighbors, you can share, but if not, that’s okay. We know sometimes owners haven’t been inside the home in a while due to the squatters. We have ways to assess and we might do a quick exterior check initially.

After our evaluation, we’ll present you with a written cash offer. You can review it, perhaps discuss it with any family or advisors. We strive to keep the offer valid for a reasonable time (several days at least) so you’re not rushed – although many people in this situation are eager to proceed quickly. Once you accept, we’ll move to closing and in a short time, you’ll have the funds and the nightmare will be behind you.

👉 Ready for freedom from your squatter problem? Give Home Buyer Louisiana a call at (504) 332-7676 or fill out our simple online form. We’ll act fast to evaluate your squatter-occupied property and make you a fair cash offer. No eviction or cleanup required on your part. You can sell your Louisiana or Mississippi house with squatters still in it directly to us and finally move on with your life. Let us turn your burden into our project – you deserve relief and a fresh start. Contact us today, and in a very short time, you could be saying good riddance to that squatter house and hello to a brighter, squatter-free future!