Do I need to repair or clear out the property before donating?

No. One of the greatest acts of relief we provide to donors is accepting properties entirely 'as-is.' Whether a residential home requires extensive structural repairs or an acreage parcel has unresolved environmental overviews, our underwriting team handles the due diligence. You do not need to spend your own money or time cleaning, repairing, or preparing the property for the market.

Can an international property or out-of-state tract be donated?

Yes. We facilitate structured real estate liquidations across all 50 states and international markets. Because our legal division operates globally, we coordinate directly with local county registries and international title authorities to ensure a seamless, legally compliant deed transfer, fully absorbing all out-of-pocket closing costs regardless of where the asset is located.

How can I ensure my donation is fully recognized by the IRS?

To confidently claim your deduction, the IRS requires a qualified independent appraisal executed no more than 60 days before the transfer, alongside a signed Form 8283. Our administrative team works directly alongside your CPA or tax professional to provide the necessary contemporaneous written acknowledgments and organizational signatures.

Why Donate Real Estate Instead of Selling It?

Selling real estate means listing, showings, repairs, a buyer’s lender, a closing and a tax bill on the gain. Donating it to Real Estate with Causes means none of those. It is not the right choice for everyone, because a donation does not put cash in your hand. But for property you no longer want and do not need to live on, it is often faster, simpler and more useful.

What a donation saves you

There is no escrow, no closing and no agent commission, because a gift is not a sale. We prepare and record the deed. You do not repair, stage or clean the property for a buyer, and the carrying costs end the day the deed records.

What it costs you

The qualified appraisal is your expense and your choice of appraiser. Back taxes and cleanout are usually yours; on some properties we absorb them.

What a donation can do for your taxes

Appreciated property given to charity generally avoids capital gains tax on the appreciation. For property held more than a year, the deduction is generally its appraised fair market value, within 30% of AGI with a five-year carryforward.

None of that is automatic. Depreciation, debt and your own income decide the numbers, and your advisor should run them against a sale.

When selling is better

We will tell you if one of these applies.

You need the cash

A donation produces no proceeds for you.

The home sale exclusion covers your gain

If most of the gain is excluded, the tax advantage of donating shrinks.

Debt exceeds value

With little or no equity, the conversation turns to your lender.

Donate or sell: questions, answered

Is donating real estate better than selling it? +

Sometimes. It is simpler and can avoid capital gains, but produces no cash. It depends on your situation.

How fast is a donation compared with a sale? +

With clear title and one owner, often a few weeks. Sales on hard-to-sell property can take months.

Do I get anything for the property? +

Not cash. You may receive a charitable deduction based on the appraised value.

Can I sell part and donate part? +

Yes, through a bargain sale to charity or a charitable gift annuity. Both have their own rules.

Will you tell me if selling is better? +

Yes. We would rather you choose the right route than a donation that does not suit you.

We do not provide tax or legal advice. See IRS Publication 526, Publication 561 and the Form 8283 instructions, and consult your own advisor.