Should you sell a vacant house or hold onto it?

Vacant houses are surprisingly common across Baton Rouge, especially in older neighborhoods where families have moved away or owners are waiting for the market to rise. On the surface, holding a vacant property can seem like a smart long-term play. But the reality on the ground in Baton Rouge is that time can work against a house that is sitting empty. Weather, termites, moisture, break ins, and general neglect can quietly chew away at the structure while insurance, taxes, and liability keep piling up.

That was the situation our founder walked into when he visited this vacant Baton Rouge house. It had been sitting for years, untouched and unmonitored. The out of town owner hoped it would appreciate, but the house itself had slipped into serious disrepair. Anyone who manages property in Baton Rouge knows how fast termites can take over and how quickly vacant homes attract problems. This walkthrough made those risks very clear.

The owner was simply trying to decide whether holding the house made sense anymore. It is a common dilemma here. Baton Rouge has strong land values, but the structures can lose value quickly if they sit empty without repairs. This video breaks down what happens when a vacant house crosses that tipping point.

You can watch the video to see the property and hear more about the situation, or read the video transcript below.

Video Transcript

Hey guys, Aussie Steve here from Home Buyer Louisiana. We Buy Houses in any condition in Louisiana. I’m here at a property we’re looking to purchase in Baton Rouge. This property was referred to us by a friend of an out of town investor who’s looking to sell.

It’s our first time walking through it, and it’s in pretty rough shape. While we do buy properties in rough condition, this one is exceptionally rough. It’s one of those “as is” properties for sure. I’ll show you around. It’s actually been vacant for a couple of years, but you’ll notice signs that a squatter has been staying in it.

This is one of the problems with leaving houses vacant. People tend to move in, even if they shouldn’t. In this case, there’s no water, no electricity, and the house has a severe termite infestation. It’s so bad that I can’t even step into certain areas of the house. The supporting beams are compromised, and there’s mold as well.

When you leave properties vacant, you’re often losing money. We believe in keeping and utilizing properties; we’re property people. If you can hold onto your property, we always encourage you to do so. However, if you’re just going to leave it vacant and do nothing with it, you’re better off selling it.

While land values may appreciate over time, the property itself depreciates, especially when it’s been vacant for years. The termites and other issues make the house worth less. Additionally, there’s a liability concern with people staying in such a condition. What if they get hurt or sue the owner?

We’re all for keeping properties, whether you fix them up, rent them out, or live in them. But if you’re going to leave them vacant, it’s better to sell the house as is. This property could be a rental or a home for someone. We might fix it up and sell it to a homeowner, or we could turn it into a rental. Leaving it vacant doesn’t help anyone.

If you have a house like this that you want to sell, reach out to us at homebuylouisiana.com. We’re happy to discuss your situation. We are cash house buyers, which is crucial because a bank won’t lend on a house in this condition. We make the decision to buy it with cash, invest in fixing it, and either sell it to another homeowner or turn it into a rental.

Thanks, guys, and have a great day. We appreciate your time. Thank you.

Selling a House in Baton Rouge or Nearby?

If you need to sell a house fast in Baton Rouge or anywhere in East Baton Rouge Parish, our team can make the process simple. Vacant homes, termite damage, storm issues, inherited properties, and rental problems are all common situations in this part of Louisiana, and we help owners navigate them without stress.

We work with homeowners across Zachary, Central, Shenandoah, Baker, and other nearby communities. We also buy properties throughout Greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, the Northshore, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Call (504) 332 7676 or fill out the quick form at HomeBuyerLouisiana.com for a free, no obligation cash offer today.