Can you sell a Florida house when you live out of state?

The short answer

Yes. A Florida house can be sold by an owner who lives anywhere in the United States or abroad, and the closing does not require you to be in the state. The title company coordinates the paperwork, and the deed is signed in front of a notary wherever you are.

Howler Property Group LLC, a Tampa-based company that buys Florida houses directly, publishes this guide. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How does a closing work if you are not in Florida?

1. Remote online notarization. Florida law allows a notary to witness your signature over live video (Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes), so documents can be signed from your home.
2. Mail-away closing. The title company sends the documents, you sign in front of a local notary, and you return them by overnight mail.
3. Power of attorney. You can name someone to sign for you. For a deed, the power of attorney generally has to be signed with two witnesses and notarized, and the title company reads it before accepting it.
4. Proceeds. They are sent by wire or check after closing, and the closing statement shows every line.

What goes wrong for owners who live far away?

• Notices go to the old address. Tax bills, code enforcement letters and association statements go to the mailing address on file with the county. If it is out of date, you can miss a deadline without knowing. Check it with the property appraiser and tax collector.
• Taxes go unpaid. Unpaid property taxes lead to a tax certificate and eventually a tax deed sale. See how a Florida tax deed auction works.
• Code fines add up. Overgrowth and unsecured doors draw complaints, and unpaid fines can be recorded as a lien. See code violation liens in Florida.
• Insurance gaps. A house that is empty or rented informally can fall outside the policy. See selling a vacant house in Florida.
• Storm damage nobody sees. After a hurricane, you may be the last to know. See selling a hurricane-damaged house.

What about taxes on the sale?

Florida has no state income tax on individuals, but a sale can still create a federal capital gain, and your home state may tax it. Withholding rules for foreign sellers are different from those for U.S. residents living in another state. Talk to a CPA or tax attorney before you sign, because the answer depends on how long you owned the house, whether it was ever your residence, and your basis.

Do you need to clear the house first?

No. Many buyers purchase Florida houses as-is, furnished or empty. If belongings are inside, the contract can say they stay, or arrange for them to be removed around the closing date. See selling a house full of belongings. If the house has a tenant, see selling a tenant-occupied house in Florida.

Where does Howler Property Group fit in?

Howler Property Group buys Florida houses as-is for cash from owners who live anywhere, with no repairs, no showings and no agent. We handle the title search and the closing paperwork so you do not have to travel, and we tell you plainly if a different route would leave you better off.

Written 2026-10-27. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice, and we are not a law firm. For your own deadlines and rights, talk to a Florida attorney.

Related questions

• Can you sell a vacant house in Florida, and what does it cost you to wait?
• How does a Florida tax deed auction work, and how long do you have?
• Sell a house in any condition
• All Florida home-selling guides