Want to know how to get a house for free? Check out this post to see how it’s actually possible.
Are you dreaming of owning a house but don’t have the money to buy one?
Believe it or not, there are ways to get a house for free or almost free. In this post, I’ll share some of the most effective ways to acquire a house legally without paying for it.
How to Get a House For Free: 6 Strategies
It may seem impossible, but here are some real ways to get a house for free.
1. Look for abandoned properties
Abandoned properties are homes that are vacant for long periods of time. While these properties often need repairs, they can sometimes be obtained for free. You may be wondering, “How?!”
Well, a friend of mine learned about a thing called “adverse possession” in law school and shared this concept with me.
Basically, adverse possession is a legal principle that allows a person to claim ownership of a property that is not their own. However, they have to meet certain conditions.
In the case of a vacant home whose owner owes taxes, adverse possession may be possible if the following conditions are met:
Adverse Possession Conditions
- Open and notorious possession: The person seeking ownership must occupy the property openly and notoriously, meaning they must act as the property owner and make it clear to anyone who sees them that they are using the property.
- Hostile possession: The person seeking ownership must possess the property without the owner’s permission or consent. In other words, they must occupy the property as if they have a legal right to do so and not simply as a guest or trespasser.
- Continuous possession: If you seek ownership, you must occupy the property continuously for a certain period, which varies by state. In some states, continuous possession may be as short as a few years, while in others, it may be as long as 20 years.
- Exclusive possession: If you seek ownership, you must possess the property exclusively, meaning you cannot share possession with anyone else.
- Actual possession: The person seeking ownership must physically occupy and use the property. They must not simply claim ownership but also use and maintain the property as if they are the owner.
It’s important to note that adverse possession laws vary by state, and not all states allow adverse possession. It also requires a lengthy and complicated legal process, including filing a lawsuit, proving the elements of adverse possession, and potentially defending against counterclaims or objections from the property owner.
If you’re interested in pursuing adverse possession, make sure you call a lawyer in your state to get their advice.
2. Buy distressed properties
If you’re willing to spend a small amount of money, another option is to buy distressed properties. Unfortunately, one of the challenging parts of buying distressed properties is finding them. However, some areas have databases that you can use to help identify distressed properties.
For example, in Detroit, there’s a program called Motor City Mapping. With their free database, you can easily find bank-owned properties and use the information they provide to make an offer on one.
Here’s how to find a property:
- First, go to the Motor City Mapping website at https://motorcitymapping.org/.
- Click on the “Detroit Open Data Portal” button in the top right corner of the homepage.
- Select “Search” from the drop-down menu.
- Enter the address or location of the area you are interested in or type in “DLBA for Sale,” a shortcode for properties for sale by the Detroit Land Bank Authority program.
- Review the results to find distressed properties that may be available at a low cost.
3. House sit full time
Another way to get a house for free is to become a house-sitter or caretaker for someone else’s property.
House sitting can be a great option if you’re retired or location-independent and willing to travel or move to a new location every few weeks or months. While you don’t own a home, you get the benefit of free housing.
The catch is that you’ll need to keep an eye on the owner’s belongings and any animals or plants they leave at home while they’re gone.
If this interests you, websites like Trusted Housesitters, HouseSitter.com, and MindMyHouse connect homeowners with potential house-sitters and caretakers worldwide.
4. Consider a homesteading opportunity for free land
Homesteading is a program that allows people to obtain land or property from the government for free or at a low cost. The most well-known program is the Homestead Act of 1862. This act allowed individuals to claim up to 160 acres of land in the western United States if they lived on and improved the land for five years. While the Homestead Act is no longer in effect, other government programs offer similar opportunities. For example, the US Department of Agriculture has the Rural Development Loan and Grant Program. This program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families who want to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. There are also programs like this one in Kansas that will give you a free lot if you agree to build a home on the lot.
It’s important to note that there’s usually something you have to do in exchange for the land or property. For example, you may need to commit to living on the property and improving it or building a home on it. It’s also important to note that homesteading opportunities are typically found in rural areas.
To find homesteading opportunities, you can visit the government’s website or contact your local government offices. Remember that these opportunities may be limited and competitive. So, it’s important to be prepared to apply early and have a plan for how you will use the land.
5. Buy a multiplex and rent it out
A creative way to get a house for free is to think like an entrepreneur and house hack.
For example, could you purchase a multi-plex rather than buying a single-family home for yourself? If you can find a multi-plex, it may be possible to charge enough from the other units to make enough to cover the mortgage for you to live in one of the units as well.
You could rent out a room in your home if buying a multi-plex isn’t an option, or build an additional dwelling unit that you can rent out in your backyard, or even rent out your entire home while you’re away on vacation.
If you’re in a high-demand area and can charge premium prices, you just may be able to make enough from renting out your home that, over time, your house would ultimately be paid for by your tenants and free to you.
6. Rent out your garage or storage space
If you live in a densely populated area, renting out your garage or parking space can be a great way to generate extra income.
Many people will pay for a convenient and secure parking spot, especially in areas where parking is limited.
Additionally, if you have copious amounts of land in a densely populated area, you can rent out space for people to store large vehicles and equipment, and the profits from doing so could ultimately offset your entire mortgage.
The Bottom Line
If you have an open mind, there are various ways to obtain a house for free or at a very low cost. Using strategies such as adverse possession, buying distressed properties, house-sitting, and homesteading, you can acquire a home without paying the high prices typically associated with real estate.
Additionally, thinking creatively and entrepreneurially can be effective ways to get a house for free. For example, you can rent out a room, garage, or storage space to generate additional income and potentially offset your entire mortgage.
While some of these methods require a bit of effort or time, they offer an opportunity to own a home without breaking the bank. So, if you’re interested in homeownership but want to avoid paying a fortune, try some of these strategies and see if you can get a house for free!
Passive Income Resources
Want to know another way to reduce the price of a house? Make passive income on the side. If this sounds interesting to you, I created a free Ultimate Passive Income Startup Checklist because I know that two of the biggest challenges people struggle with when making passive income are not knowing where to start and feeling overwhelmed. This checklist will solve both problems for you.
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