How to sell a house when you live out of state

Owning a house far from where you live turns every task into a project. Here’s how to sell one without making the trip more often than you need to.

Line up local help

You’ll need someone who can open the door, check on the house and handle small problems. That might be a neighbor, a property manager, a listing agent or your buyer.

Protect the house while it’s empty

• Keep insurance active, and ask whether coverage changes when nobody lives there
• Keep utilities on so the house can be inspected and doesn’t freeze or flood
• Have someone check on it regularly, and forward the mail

Decide how much work to do from afar

Managing contractors remotely is hard. You’ll rely on photos and phone calls, and small jobs can drag on. Be honest about how much you want to take on. Selling as-is can save a lot of long-distance coordination.

Sign without traveling

Many closings can be done remotely. Common options include:

• Mail-away closings, where documents are sent to you to sign in front of a notary
• Mobile notaries who come to you
• Remote online notarization, where allowed
• Power of attorney, so someone you trust can sign for you

Ask the title company early which options work for your sale, so nothing waits on paperwork.

Clearing out belongings

If the house still has furniture or personal items, you can hire an estate-sale company or a hauler, or sell to a buyer who takes the house with belongings inside.

How it works with us

You don’t need to be there to sell to us. We take photos of the outside and only go inside with your permission, and we can arrange access. Leave what’s in the house; we handle the cleanout. Signing can often be done by mail or with a mobile notary near you.

Read more about selling from out of state, or tell us about the house.