Table of Contents
- How It Started: A Direct Mail Lead
- The Condition of the House
- Negotiations and Offer
- Closing and Transformation
- Impact on the Neighborhood
How It Started: A Direct Mail Lead
We got this lead through one of our direct mail campaigns. If you’ve ever received one of those “We want to buy your house” letters, that’s how it began. These letters aren’t personal — we send out 10,000 to 20,000 at a time to cover entire neighborhoods where our crews are ready to work.
One of those letters reached a young woman living in New York. She owned a house in Suffolk, Virginia — her late father’s home — that had been sitting vacant for over seven years. She hadn’t visited since childhood and was overwhelmed by the responsibility of managing the property from afar.
The Condition of the House
When we arrived, the door was locked, and she had no keys. With her permission, we hired a locksmith to get inside. What we found was a time capsule — untouched for nearly a decade and filled with one shocking surprise: bats.
The house was home to an estimated 20,000 bats. There were droppings everywhere, and ceilings had collapsed under the weight of years of bat waste. It was uninhabitable and borderline hazardous, but thanks to good neighbors, it had been spared from squatters — barely.
Negotiations and Offer
We made her an honest offer based on the condition of the home. At first, she thought it was too low — until we shared photos and explained the scope of work needed, including $150,000 in repairs just to bring it up to livable standards.
She appreciated our transparency and low-pressure approach. At Academy Home Buyers, we pride ourselves on being the “no-rush team.” After reviewing the paperwork, she decided to move forward. We arranged everything with a mobile notary, and she didn’t even have to leave New York.
Closing and Transformation
The title process took a few extra weeks due to required death certificates and title clearing, but once completed, we closed the deal. She received her funds directly, and we took possession of the home.
We then began the extensive cleanup and renovation. From roof to foundation, this house needed everything. But in the end, it became a beautiful, livable space — a dream home where there had once been decay and danger.
Impact on the Neighborhood
The neighbors were beyond grateful. For years, they had worried about the vacant home becoming a target for squatters or crime. With the transformation, their property values improved, their block felt safer, and they no longer had to keep a watchful eye on a deteriorating structure next door.
In the end, this wasn’t just a win for us or the seller — it was a win for the entire street.
Summary: Turning a neglected property into a livable home took time, effort, and trust from a long-distance owner. This story shows how thoughtful investing and transparent communication can change lives — and entire blocks — for the better.
FAQs: Transforming Vacant Homes
Question: How did you find the property?
Answer: We connected with the owner through a direct mail campaign sent to the neighborhood.
Question: How bad was the house condition?
Answer: The house had been vacant for 7+ years and was infested with an estimated 20,000 bats. It needed complete environmental cleanup and major repairs.
Question: How did the seller complete the sale from New York?
Answer: We used mobile notaries and email to send documents. She never had to leave home.
Question: What kind of repairs were needed?
Answer: We had to replace the roof, walls, siding, and completely restore the interior after the bat infestation.
Question: How long did the whole process take?
Answer: From initial call to closing took about 3-4 weeks, with a bit of extra time for title clearance.