Can you sell an uninsurable house?

Asked by: Jesse Boyle  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (55 votes)

And yet, such homes can still sell. According to Axios, “uninsurable homes still change hands on the housing market.” You can't take a mortgage out on them, but you can pay all-cash, and probably receive a steep discount, the publication reported.

Can you sell a house that is uninsured?

Any sort of damage could ruin a potential sale. If you don't have a home insurance policy, you'll be on the hook for all the repairs yourself. Anything from a major natural disaster like a hurricane or a tornado, to something small-scale like a water leak, could jeopardize your home sale.

What happens if a house is uninsurable?

If serious issues exist with the home or property, the FHA will consider the home uninsurable. Borrowers would need to contact private insurers to cover the property, or a 203K loan could be used to make the necessary repairs. U.S. Housing and Urban Development.

What makes a house not sellable?

  • Priced too high (seller wants too much money).
  • Appraised too low (seller believes house is higher value then lender believe).
  • Condition of the property (needs repairs?).
  • Curb appeal (house just looks bad compared to other house on the same street)
  • Updating (the house has old style and/or old fixtures)

What would happen if a homeowner had no homeowners insurance?

If you have a mortgage or other home loan, keeping an insurance policy in place is likely a requirement of your loan agreement. Your lender will be notified of policy renewals and cancellations. If you fail to purchase coverage or let it lapse, your company may send your mortgage into default.

This is Why You Need a Property Survey When Buying Real Estate

41 related questions found

How to sell an uninsurable house?

If you sell your home as-is, it's best to sell it directly to a cash buyer who doesn't plan on living in the home or reselling it without fixing it up first. Cash buyers know what they are getting into and don't mind if there's work that needs to be done.

What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

What makes a property unsellable?

Before trying to sell an unsellable home, you need to identify the problem. There are several reasons why a property may be difficult to sell, including an unfavorable location, structural issues, outdated fixtures, or a high asking price. Once you identify the problem, you can work on developing a plan to address it.

What is the most common reason a property fails to sell?

The most common reason a property fails to sell is an unreasonable asking price by the seller. An asking price that's too high is the surest way to increase your days on market and have a "non-starter" listing that buyers simply ignore.

How to sell a house that won't sell?

Things to Do When Your House Doesn't Sell
  1. Evaluate Your Application of the Agent's Advice. ...
  2. Switch Real Estate Agents. ...
  3. Get People In The Door. ...
  4. Get Buyer Feedback. ...
  5. Consider Offering Buyer Agent Compensation. ...
  6. Offer Incentives. ...
  7. Explore Alternative Selling Routes.

What do you do if you are uninsurable?

If one or two insurers turn you down, don't despair. You do have other options. If you are buying a new home, ask the real estate agent, mortgage lender or builder for names of companies that write in your area. If it's an existing home, ask the previous owners who insured the house.

Can you get a mortgage on an uninsurable property?

According to Axios, “uninsurable homes still change hands on the housing market.” You can't take a mortgage out on them, but you can pay all-cash, and probably receive a steep discount, the publication reported. I don't have to tell you how much of a risk it is to have an uninsured property.

Can you lose your mortgage without homeowners insurance?

If you breach your mortgage contract by not having homeowners' insurance, you might face added costs and, eventually, foreclosure. Defaulting on a mortgage loan means failing to keep the promises you made when you signed the promissory note and mortgage contract.

How long can you go without homeowners insurance?

While a brief lapse in coverage might not seem like a huge deal, going without homeowners insurance for even a day or two puts you at financial risk. Additionally, many insurance companies won't accept late premium payments. So if you continually miss payments, your policy could be canceled automatically.

Can you sell a property without title insurance?

Selling a house without title insurance carries critical risks that can affect the validity of the deal. It is not wise to embrace such a critical risk just to avoid a small one-time fee (title insurance).

Do I need insurance if my house is paid off?

But now that your loan is paid off, you are responsible for making your homeowners insurance payments. Although you are not legally required to have homeowners insurance, you should think twice before you cancel your insurance.

When to worry about a house not selling?

You should start getting worried about your home not selling if it remains on the market significantly longer than comparable properties in your area. If there's minimal buyer interest, few showings, or no offers after several weeks or months, it's a sign that something is probably wrong.

Why is no one viewing my house?

Check the Price

The first and most important factor to consider is price. Buyers tend to avoid properties that they think are overpriced. It might not necessarily be that your home is overpriced in general, but it may be priced too high for the current market conditions or area.

What oftentimes people confuse market value with?

Cost; Market value and cost often may be confused with one another. The current market value for a home may be two or three times higher than the cost to build.

What ruins property value?

Ignoring necessary repairs like a leaky roof, faulty plumbing, or damaged windows can lead to more extensive damage over time. Homes that have fallen into disrepair are difficult for homebuyers to secure lending for. In addition, they appear to be expensive red flags from the buyers' point of view.

Can you sue someone for bringing down your property value?

Suing your neighbor for lowering your property value can be extremely challenging and often requires you to prove several incidents of their misdeeds.

What makes property unmarketable?

Title to real property with an encumbrance or a cloud on the property that is sufficient enough to justify a potential: Purchaser not purchasing the property. Lender not funding a loan secured by the property.

How much is homeowners insurance on a $500,000 house?

How much is homeowners insurance on a $500,000 house? A $500,000 home costs an average of $2,891 per year to insure. State Farm has the cheapest rates for $500,000 homes, at around $1,976 per year.

What percentage of your home's value should be insured?

Note that insuring your home for 80% of its replacement value is a general guideline. Some insurance companies may require higher percentages and/or have built-in features to account for increased replacement costs due to inflation.

What happens if I under-insure my home?

But what happens if your home is under-insured? Outside structure To put it simply, if you are under-insured and you suffer damages for which you have to make a claim, the amount of money you receive will not be sufficient to cover the damages.