An empty house in Minnesota might seem like it’s just sitting there. But in reality, it’s draining money from your pocket every month. From utilities to insurance, every day you hold a vacant property, you’re paying more than you think.

Whether you’re dealing with an inherited property, a rental that didn’t work out, or a house you’re not ready to list, understanding Minnesota vacant property costs can make it easier to decide your next move.

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Vacant Properties in Minnesota by the Numbers

Minnesota has roughly 2,470,483 housing units total, and about 9.8% of them are vacant. These include seasonal, recreational, and other units not occupied year‑round.

Also, according to Bankrate’s Hidden Costs of Homeownership Study, the average annual cost of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S. is $21,400. These are not just mortgage payments. They include often overlooked expenses like:

Property taxes
Utilities
Insurance
Maintenance
And other recurring costs

And when a home is sitting vacant, you’re not getting any return on that investment.

For many homeowners, this creates not only a financial strain but also a burden of responsibility they didn’t plan for. And once the expenses start piling up, it becomes even harder to sell the home in traditional ways.

What Our Customers Are Saying

See why many people recommend us to be your local Minneapolis homebuyers.

Julie York

“Matt was awesome and responsive.”

Matt was awesome I was helping my sister through her divorce and selling the house before the mortgage broker took it and he was right on it. Very responsive to all emails sent to him. If you need to sell your house quick call Matt.

Matthew Coller

“Easy to work with, clear communication.”

Would highly suggest working with Matt. He was very easy to work with, took care of things quickly, communicated exactly what we needed to do clearly and was extra helpful with everything when it came to selling our home.

Adam Holland

“Responsive, would work with again.”

Very easy to work with. Responsive with communications and around the home buying process. I would work with them again.

What Are “Holding Costs” for a Vacant Home?

Holding costs are the ongoing expenses you pay while you still own a property. These costs continue even if no one lives there and there’s no rental income. Tired of Bad Tenants? Transition Your Minnesota Rental into a Cash Sale.

Holding costs add up too. See how in our blog on vacant property problems in Minnesota.

Typical holding costs in MN include:

Mortgage payments (if any)
Property taxes
Homeowners insurance (vacant policy premiums are higher)
Utilities like gas, electric, and water
Lawn maintenance and snow removal
Security monitoring or boarding up windows

You might also need to pay for pest control, inspections, and regular visits to keep the property from looking abandoned.

If your home is in a cold climate like Minnesota, you also need to factor in winterization to avoid frozen pipes and damage. In extreme weather, repairs can run into thousands of dollars.

Even if the house is paid off, you’re still spending hundreds every month just to keep it from deteriorating. All of this adds up month after month, and there’s no return on that investment unless you sell.

Fortunately, Sota Home Buyers works with sellers across Minnesota who are stuck paying these kinds of costs and need a faster way out. When you’re ready to stop the monthly drain, we’re ready to step in.

Vacant Homes in Minnesota Can Become Financial Traps

A property you’re not using can turn into a money pit, especially in Minnesota’s climate. Heating a vacant house in winter, maintaining landscaping in summer, and keeping the home secure year-round cost more than most people expect.

Also, because there’s no one actively living in or checking on the house daily, small problems become big ones before you even notice.

In particular, Minnesota’s harsh winters are especially unforgiving on vacant homes. Pipes can freeze and burst. Ice dams can form on roofs and cause hidden leaks. In the summer, overgrown lawns invite pests and even city violations.

You’re not just paying to hold the house, you’re managing risk from all sides. Learn how to avoid these issues in our blog on selling your vacant house for cash in Minnesota.

Why Cities Penalize Vacant Homes in Minnesota

Local governments across Minnesota are tightening regulations on vacant properties.

Neighborhoods want homes occupied, maintained, and contributing to property values. An empty house can bring down the look and feel of a whole block, even if you’re doing your best to keep it clean.

Cities may impose fines or even place liens for:

Overgrown yards
Unshoveled sidewalks
Broken windows or structural hazards
Pest infestations

Some cities even require homeowners to register vacant properties with the local municipality. These registries come with additional fees, mandatory inspections, and strict maintenance requirements.

If the property fails to meet the city’s standards, you could face daily fines until the issue is resolved. That means you’re not just losing money, you’re actively spending more to stay in compliance.

For many sellers, it becomes clear that the fastest and simplest solution is to sell the property off-market and move on. That’s where Sota Home Buyers comes in. We buy properties in Minnesota in any condition and handle the red tape so you don’t have to.

How to Avoid Holding Costs in Minnesota

You don’t have to wait for a perfect buyer or make expensive repairs. Local home buyers like Sota Home Buyers offer a way to sell fast, as-is, and avoid these mounting expenses.

We specialize in buying properties just like yours, and we make the home-buying process simple from start to finish. Here’s how it works:

Share a few details about your property.

Get a fair all-cash offer within 24 hours.

Close in 7 to 14 days or on your timeline.

We handle everything. You won’t have to clean, stage, or repair anything. Whether your Minnesota property has been vacant for a month or a year, we’ll take it off your hands quickly.

Selling this way gives you financial clarity and peace of mind. Instead of watching the bills pile up, you can walk away with cash and confidence.

Need to Sell Before the Bills Get Worse?

If you’re holding a vacant home in Minnesota, you have a choice:

Keep paying rising costs month after month, or sell directly to a local buyer and move forward with cash in hand. There’s no reason to let an empty property control your budget or stress you out.

You deserve a way out that’s fast, reliable, and doesn’t require jumping through hoops. But Sota Home Buyers makes it easy to get an offer, understand your options, and close on your terms.

Contact us today by filling out the short form.