Sell your California City, CA lot for cash
You can sell a vacant California City lot for cash from anywhere, with a title company handling the closing. Start this week by pulling your Kern County tax bill and parcel number. The city was planned for 400,000 people but had 14,973 in 2020, so many platted lots still sit empty.
Request an offerWhat can a California City lot owner check this week?
A California City lot owner can check five things this week before talking to any buyer.
- Taxes owed. Your Kern County property tax bill shows the amount due and the parcel number (APN). Look for special assessment lines as well as the base tax.
- Parcel number. A parcel number matters more than a street name here, because much of the street grid has no houses.
- Flood zone. Enter the address or coordinates in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov.
- Ownership. Confirm whose names are on the deed. If an owner died, see probate land and inherited land.
- Sold prices. Ask a local title company or agent for recent sales of vacant lots near yours, and compare lot size and road access.
Why are California City lots hard to sell?
California City lots are hard to sell because the city has far more vacant lots than buyers. Developers bought about 82,000 acres of Mojave Desert in 1958 and laid out a grid for a large city that never filled in.
- Many lots, few buyers. The city grew far slower than planned.
- Owners far away. Original buyers are often gone, and heirs may live in another state or country. See absentee owner situations.
- Back taxes. A lot that earns nothing still gets a tax bill. See tax-delinquent land.
- Unclear title or unknown heirs. See land without clear title.
What does a buyer need from you to make an offer?
A buyer needs the county and the parcel number to make an offer on a California City lot. Tell the buyer if taxes are behind, if there is a loan or lien, or if an owner has died.
You do not need to clear the lot or order a survey. If several relatives own it, all owners usually must sign. The title company lists who signs and which papers it needs.
Can you sell from another state or country?
You can sell a California City lot without visiting. The title company sends the papers for you to sign and pays you by wire or check.
A seller who is not a US person faces federal withholding under FIRPTA. The IRS says the rate generally is 15 percent of the amount realized, and the buyer is usually the withholding agent. A seller can file Form 8288-B to request a certificate for reduced or no withholding. The IRS generally acts on these within 90 days of a complete application.
Should you sell for cash or list the lot?
A listing may reach a buyer who wants a desert lot, but you pay a commission and wait. A cash sale avoids both. Read cash sale vs listing land and try the net proceeds calculator.
Liberty Acres is a family-owned land company. We buy land anywhere in the US, in any condition, and close through a title company. We pay back taxes and all closing costs, with no agents and no commissions. We can close in as little as 14 days. Most sales close within a few weeks to a few months, once the title work is done.
Common questions
Who buys vacant lots in California City?
Cash land buyers such as Liberty Acres, private buyers and investors. A cash buyer skips the listing wait.
Can I sell a California City lot with unpaid taxes?
Yes. Liberty Acres pays back taxes and all closing costs.
I live outside the US. Can I still sell?
Usually yes. A foreign seller generally has 15 percent of the gross sale price withheld by the buyer and sent to the IRS under FIRPTA. You can apply on Form 8288-B for a withholding certificate to reduce it. Talk to a tax adviser before you sign.
How long does a cash sale take?
Liberty Acres can close in as little as 14 days through a title company. Most sales close within a few weeks to a few months, once the title work is done. Title work and your signatures set the final date.