Here’s Some Local Reality:
In April, 2025, a survey was taken of all the listed homes, in every price range, within a 10 miles radius of downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Out of all of these properties well over 30% were found to be vacant. No matter where each home was in its period of vacancy, there is no reasonable scenario where at least some of these properties were not completely uninsured.
In light of these statistics, you may want to ask yourself a couple of questions:
If you’re the owner, or you’re responsible for one of these listed homes, why are you learning this from a post on social media, and not from the real estate agent you are paying to protect your interests?
If your agent missed something this critical, what else don’t they know that could be detrimental to you?
Our goal in bringing this ongoing issue to light is not to cast other real estate practitioners in a less than favorable light, but rather to emphasize how important it is to interview. See our Guide Here! Those who are tasked with taking care of what is possibly yours, or your principle’s largest asset should be able to give solid examples that demonstrate their value and give you confidence.
The fact is, not all real estate agents are created the same nor carry the same knowledge.
And, since we specialize in fiduciary managed real estate, the element of personal liability and the potential of having any actions taken reviewed by a court, makes the difference even that much greater.
Don’t leave trust, estate, or principal owned assets exposed.
☎ Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to review your risk.
📧 kmoore@expectmoore.com
📞 616-318-1322
🌐 expectmoore.com
📍ExpectMoore Realty | Estate, Trust & DPOA Real Estate | West Michigan
Prepared by Kevin Moore
Estate, Trust and DPOA Real Estate Specialist
Real Estate Broker | ExpectMoore Realty
Why A Vacant Home Can Be A Literal Time Bomb!
When life changes lead to a home becoming vacant, most people think of it as just a temporary, harmless situation.
That assumption can be dangerously wrong!
Insurance companies view vacant homes as high-risk for fire, water damage, and vandalism. As a result, most policies include clauses that automatically void coverage in as little as 30 days of vacancy. These policy exclusions often go completely unnoticed - until a loss occurs and the claim is denied.
Whether you've moved out of your own home or are managing someone else’s property, losing insurance coverage can be financially devastating. Imagine a fire destroying the home, and the insurer denying the claim because no one was aware of, or addressed the vacancy clause. That’s potentially hundreds of thousands in equity, gone. And, that’s not even counting the potential of still having to pay an underlying mortgage.
Even worse, if you’re acting as a fiduciary - as an agent under a power of attorney, a personal representative, or as a trustee - the court could hold you personally liable for the loss to the estate, trust, or principal you’re responsible for protecting.
For the record, here are just a few case law highlights where vacancy clauses were upheld in court:
• Greene v. Farmers (TX) - Vacant home destroyed, no payout
• Waterstone Bank v. American Family (WI) - Water damage denied due to vacancy
• Lynn v. USAA (TX) - Mostly empty = vacant
• Columbia Lloyds v. Mao (TX) - Renovating? Still considered vacant
A free 15-minute consultation will answer all your questions. The stakes are high. We’re here to help.