Holding Costs Add Up: 5 Common Fees You Can Stop Paying After a Cash Sale

How Georgia Property Owners Are Saving Thousands by Choosing Cash Over Carrying Costs

When Zoe inherited 10 acres in rural Walker County, Georgia, she thought she'd received a blessing. Two years later, after paying $3,200 in property taxes, $1,800 in insurance, and countless hours managing the land from her Atlanta home, she realized the "gift" had become a $5,000-per-year burden.

Zoe's story isn't unique. Across Georgia, property owners are discovering that holding onto unwanted land or houses often costs more than they ever imagined. Between rising property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance expenses, what seemed like a valuable asset can quickly become a financial drain.

The good news? These ongoing costs stop for you as of closing; taxes and utilities are prorated to the closing date. (That’s the accurate, contract-friendly way to say it.)

The Real Cost of Property Ownership in Georgia

Georgia’s median real estate tax payment is about $2,048 per year, which is lower than the national median. The commonly cited statewide effective rate is around ~0.83% (methodologies vary by publisher). For official medians, lean on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS); for a widely referenced synthesis including the 0.83% figure, SmartAsset is a standard summary. Census.gov+1.

However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Millage rates are set locally every year by county commissions and school boards, and bills change with reassessments and exemptions, which is why owners see such variation by county. Department of Revenue

Consider the dramatic differences across the state: county median tax bills range from the mid-hundreds to well over $3,000 per year, depending on local millage and assessed values (official mechanics via Georgia DOR; county medians shown in ACS-based summaries).

But property taxes are just the beginning. Let's examine the five major costs that are quietly draining your bank account – and how selling your property eliminates them all. If you’re a first-time seller and not sure where to start, read VacantLand 101: An Easy Guide For First-Time Sellers

Cost #1: Property Taxes That Keep Rising

Annual Impact: (Illustrative range) hundreds to several thousand dollars in Georgia

Georgia property taxes are set through a local process, and year-to-year changes come from millage decisions and reassessments. For a current, real-world example, Fulton County announced a 2025 increase 12.49% over the rollback rate during its public hearing process. For a property owner with a higher county median bill, that’s a meaningful additional hit. fultoncountyga.gov

To put this in perspective with a planning example: if you own a $150,000 property in a county near Georgia’s commonly cited average effective rate (~0.83%), you’re paying about $1,245 annually in property taxes (illustrative math; actual bills depend on exemptions, assessment, and millage). You’re funding services you may not use if the property sits vacant or far from where you live. For official rules and definitions (assessed vs market value, mills, exemptions), see Georgia DOR. Department of Revenue.

The Land Avion Solution: The day you close with Land Avion, your tax responsibility ends as of the closing date (with standard proration). No more quarterly bills, no more late fees, no more wondering how much next year’s assessment will increase.

Cost #2: Property Insurance Premiums

Annual Impact: $1,200–$2,400+ for houses; separate liability coverage for vacant land varies

In Georgia, typical homeowners premiums run roughly $1,950–$2,300 per year depending on coverage and carrier. Regulator-backed research shows double-digit increases into 2024, driven by claims inflation and severe weather—pressure that has affected affordability nationwide. III+1

For vacant land, many owners don’t realize they may want separate liability coverage. There’s no single government “average” for this; industry ranges often start low (depending on acreage, use, and limits). The safest guidance is: ask your carrier/agent for a quote tailored to your parcel and risk profile. (We’re intentionally avoiding hard numbers here since there’s no official statewide average.) Visit

Hidden Insurance Costs:

• Liability coverage if there’s recreational use (hunting, hiking, ATV).
• Additional coverage if any structures exist.
• Umbrella policies for higher liability protection.

The Land Avion Solution: Sell your property and you stop paying future premiums after closing. No more annual renewals, rate hikes, or liability worries for a property you don’t use.

Cost #3: Property Maintenance and Management

Annual Impact: $1,000–$5,000+ depending on property type and condition

Even “vacant” land needs attention: downed trees, fence repairs, access road grading, overgrowth control. For houses, the maintenance burden is often heavier.

Industry planning rules commonly budget ~1%–4% of property value per year for maintenance (rules of thumb, not government rates), and practical line items add up fast. Mynd

If you’re far away, costs multiply, you’ll hire local contractors at premium rates for emergency repairs and routine tasks you can’t handle yourself.

The Land Avion Solution: When you sell to Land Avion, all maintenance responsibility transfers to us. No more emergency calls, contractor wrangling, or weekend trips.

Cost #4: Utilities and Carrying Costs

Annual Impact: $600–$2,400+ depending on property type

Owners sometimes keep basic utilities active even on vacant properties to prevent issues like frozen pipes or to power security systems. Those $30–$150 monthly charges stack up over a year. Even with land, carrying costs can include:

• Road or access association dues
• HOA fees (if applicable)
• Special district assessments
• Easement or private road maintenance shares

The Hidden Surprise: Rural parcels often sit inside special districts or associations with recurring fees owners didn’t anticipate when they purchased.

The Land Avion Solution: All utility and carrying-cost obligations end for you at closing (with standard proration). No more monthly bills for a property you’re not using.

Cost #5: Time, Stress, and Opportunity Costs

Annual Impact: Immeasurable, but significant

Every hour you spend managing unwanted property is time not spent on work, family, or priorities that matter. Consider the hidden to-do list:

• Researching and coordinating maintenance
• Managing tax bills and insurance renewals
• Monitoring the property for security issues
• Deciding on improvements or repairs
• Handling legal or regulatory questions

Professional Management Alternative: Full-service residential property management commonly runs ~8%–10% of collected rent, plus leasing and renewal fees (industry survey ranges; not a government-published average). iPropertyManagement.com

The Stress Factor: Distant or unused property creates constant low-level anxiety about what’s happening—and what surprise bill lands next.

The Land Avion Solution: Selling to Land Avion eliminates the time and stress. You get your time back.

The Total Annual Cost Reality

Example: 5-acre vacant land in Henry County (illustrative)

• Property taxes: $1,400 annually
• Liability insurance: $450 annually
• Basic maintenance: $800 annually
• Access road upkeep: $300 annually
• Total: $2,950 per year

Example: Vacant house in rural Georgia (valued at $120,000) (illustrative)

• Property taxes: $1,200 annually
• Insurance: $1,800 annually
• Basic utilities: $1,200 annually
• Maintenance and repairs: $2,500 annually
• Total: $6,700 per year

(Both examples are illustrative budgets, not official averages. Actual costs vary by county millage/assessment, exemptions, insurance limits, and property condition. For county tax mechanics and annual millage setting, see Georgia DOR.) Department of Revenue.

Why These Costs Keep Rising

• Assessments & Millage: Annual local decisions and digest changes drive bills (see Georgia DOR for definitions and annual digests).
• Insurance Market: Regulator-backed research documents double-digit homeowners premium increases into 2024, tied to claims inflation and severe weather.
• General Inflation: Materials, labor, and contractor rates remain elevated, pushing maintenance and repair costs higher.

The Land Avion Fast Cash Solution

At Land Avion, we understand that sometimes the smartest financial decision is knowing when to let go. We’ve helped hundreds of Georgia property owners eliminate holding costs and convert unused property into immediate cash.
Our Simple 3-Step Process:
Step 1: Free Property Evaluation — Submit your property details online or call us. We’ll research your property and provide a fair cash offer within 24–48 hours.
Step 2: Review Your Offer — We present a clear, no-obligation cash offer. Take your time — there’s no pressure.
Step 3: Quick Closing — If you accept, we handle all paperwork and closing costs. Most closings complete within 2–3 weeks (typically).

What Makes Land Avion Different:

• We pay all closing costs — you receive the full agreed amount
• No realtor commissions — no 6% fee
• Buy as-is — no repairs or improvements needed
• Fast closing — typically 2–4 weeks from acceptance
• No hidden fees — the amount we agree on is what you receive

Real Georgia Success Stories

The Veteran’s Relief: Tom, a veteran from Columbus, inherited 20 acres in Troup County. After three years of paying $2,400 annually in taxes and insurance while living on disability benefits, he sold to Land Avion. “Getting that $31,000 check eliminated my financial stress and gave me peace of mind.”

The Atlanta Professional’s Solution: Maria, an accountant in Atlanta, inherited her grandmother’s house in Thomasville. Managing the property from 250 miles away was costing her $4,200 yearly plus countless hours of stress. “Selling to Land Avion freed up money I can now put toward my own home.”

Make the Smart Financial Decision Today

Every month you hold onto unwanted property, you’re choosing to pay hundreds or thousands in carrying costs instead of having that money in your bank account. If you’re spending $3,000 annually, that’s $30,000 over 10 years — money you could invest, use to pay down debt, or simply improve your quality of life.

Your Next Step

Stop paying to hold a property that’s draining your resources. Get your free, no-obligation Fast Cash Offer from Land Avion today:

📱 Call/Text: 979-269-7323 

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Visit: landavion.com

Remember: Every day you wait to make a decision about unwanted property, is another day you're choosing to pay these ongoing costs. Land Avion is here to help you make the smart financial choice and put cash in your pocket instead of continuing to pay bills for property you don't want or need.