Lanham Maryland Home Buyers
Sell Your House Fast in Lanham, Maryland
Maryland House Pros, operated by Maryland Private Capital, works directly with homeowners in Lanham and throughout Prince George’s County who want a straightforward alternative to a traditional listing. We buy houses in many conditions, including inherited properties, houses in foreclosure, vacant homes, rental properties, and houses needing major repairs.
Tell us about the property and your timeline. No repairs. No pressure. No obligation.
Selling a House in Lanham
Lanham is a settled, mostly owner-occupied community along the Capital Beltway, between New Carrollton, Greenbelt, Glenn Dale, and Landover. Roughly three out of four homes are lived in by their owners, and many have been in the same family for a long time. That shapes the sales we see here: estates, long-time owners ready to downsize, and houses that are solid but haven’t been updated in years.
11,282
Lanham residents in 2020
76.8%
Homes that are owner-occupied
17.3%
Residents age 65 or older
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lanham CDP (owner-occupied rate and age are 2020-2024 estimates).
Next to the end of the Orange and Silver lines
New Carrollton station is the eastern end of Metro’s Orange and Silver lines (WMATA), a short trip from most Lanham neighborhoods.
The Purple Line is coming
The Maryland Transit Administration is building the 16-mile Purple Line light rail from Bethesda to New Carrollton, with its maintenance facility in nearby Glenridge. In April 2025, MTA said it was working toward passenger service in late 2027 (MTA). Plans change, so check MTA for the current schedule.
Lanham is in Prince George’s County, so county property tax bills, the county tax sale, and the Register of Wills in Upper Marlboro all apply. Our Prince George’s County seller guide covers the tax calendar and tax sale redemption periods in more detail.
A Lanham Address: County Rules or City Rules?
Most of Lanham is unincorporated, so Prince George’s County handles rental licenses, code enforcement, and permits. But a Lanham mailing address doesn’t always mean unincorporated Lanham.
Unincorporated Lanham: county rules
Lanham itself isn’t a city or town. The Census Bureau counts it as a census-designated place (QuickFacts), so Prince George’s County licenses rentals, inspects for property standards, and issues permits. There are no city taxes or city code on top.
Some 20706 addresses are in Glenarden
The City of Glenarden, incorporated in 1939, shares the 20706 ZIP code; its municipal center is at 8600 Glenarden Parkway (Maryland Manual). A house inside city limits answers to the city as well as the county, so call City Hall at (301) 773-2100 before you rely on county rules.
New Carrollton is its own city
New Carrollton, right next door, was incorporated in 1953 and had 13,715 residents in 2020 (Maryland Manual). It licenses its own rentals, so a landlord there applies with the city, not the county.
The quickest check is the state’s SDAT Real Property Search. If the record shows a town or city, that municipality’s rules apply on top of the county’s. If it doesn’t, the county rules below are the ones that matter.
Selling a Lanham Rental: The County License
A single-family house or duplex rented out in unincorporated Lanham needs a Prince George’s County rental license, which lasts two years.
Temporary license, then an inspection
Once the application is approved, the county issues a temporary license good for 30 to 90 days while an inspector schedules a visit. If there are no violations, the full license follows.
HOA, condo, and co-op homes need a letter
Rentals in an association need a letter, no more than three months old, showing the unit has “clean hands” and no liens for unpaid dues.
A new owner shows the deed
If the owner’s name differs from the SDAT record, the county asks for the deed or settlement statement, which matters right after a sale or when an heir takes over a rental.
Source: Prince George’s County Single-Family Rental Licensing. The same page lists New Carrollton among the municipalities that license their own rentals.
Before you sell, gather the license, the lease, any written notices to the tenant, and the security deposit records. The buyer generally takes the house subject to the existing lease. If the license lapsed, say so early so it can be handled in the contract.
Our tired landlord guide covers selling with tenants in place, and our Oxon Hill page explains the extra lead paint rules for rentals built before 1978.
County Property Rules for Lanham Homes
With no city code in unincorporated Lanham, the county’s housing standards apply, and county Code Compliance inspectors enforce them.
Grass and weeds: 12 inches
Grass can’t grow over 12 inches, and plants can’t block walkways, sidewalks, streets, or a neighbor’s driveway.
One problem vehicle, in a garage
No more than one wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, or unlicensed vehicle is allowed, and it has to be inside a closed garage.
Paint and exterior walls
Peeling or chipped paint has to be removed and repainted, and exterior walls kept free of holes and rotting materials.
Ten days, then the county may cut
After a weed notice, the owner has 10 calendar days to fix it. If not, the county can cut the lot and bill the owner, who then has 30 days to pay (Sec. 13-264 and following).
Source: Prince George’s County Single-Family Housing Code Compliance. Complaints go to PGC311 at 3-1-1.
If a Lanham house sits empty while you sell, keep the grass under 12 inches and any old car off the driveway until closing. The county’s Clean Lot Code covers vacant properties too.
Selling a Lanham House You’ve Owned for Decades
Many Lanham sellers have owned their homes for a long time. That usually means more equity, but also more to sort out: old paperwork, older systems, and a lifetime of belongings.
Find the deed and any old loans
A refinance from years ago, a home equity line that was paid off but never released, or a spouse who has since died can all show up in the title search. Gathering the deed and payoff letters early saves time.
Check past work against permits
A finished basement, an addition, or a deck built decades ago may or may not have had a permit. You can look up a property’s permit history by address (county permit search) and disclose what you know.
Decide what to take, then stop
You don’t have to empty the house for a direct sale. Take what matters to you and the family, and let the contract say what stays.
If you’re moving closer to family or into a smaller place, the closing date can often be coordinated with your move.
We Buy Houses Throughout Lanham and Nearby Areas
Along with Lanham itself, we buy houses in New Carrollton, Riverdale, Hyattsville, and College Park to the west, Greenbelt to the north, Glenn Dale and Bowie to the east, and Landover to the south.
- Lanham
- New Carrollton
- Glenn Dale
- Greenbelt
- Bowie
- Landover
- Hyattsville
- Riverdale
- College Park
Selling elsewhere in Prince George’s County? See every area we cover on our Prince George’s County cash buyer page.
Common Reasons Lanham Homeowners Sell Directly
In Lanham, a lot of conversations start with a house a family has owned for decades and now has to settle as part of an estate, or an owner who is ready for something smaller. The linked guides below cover the most common ones in depth.
Inherited property
A parent’s Lanham house that the family doesn’t plan to keep, often after decades in the same home.
Inherited property guide →Probate
An estate that has to be opened with the Register of Wills in Upper Marlboro before anyone can sign a contract.
Probate sale guide →Foreclosure
Mortgage payments that fell behind after a job change, an illness, a reverse mortgage default, or a rate adjustment.
Foreclosure options →Major repairs
An original roof, an aging furnace, or a wet basement that would cost more than you want to put into the house.
Major repairs guide →Code violations
A county notice about tall grass, an old car in the driveway, or the condition of the outside of the house.
Code violation help →Vacant property
An empty house after a move to assisted living or a family member’s home, still subject to the county’s clean lot rules.
Delinquent taxes
Property taxes that went unpaid, with Prince George’s County’s annual tax sale ahead.
Liens or title issues
A judgment, an old home equity line, or a deed still in the name of a parent who has died.
Title problem help →Problem tenants
A rental with late rent, damage, or a county rental license that lapsed.
Tired landlord guide →Divorce
A home bought together that now has to be sold or bought out so each person can move on.
Relocation
A new job or a transfer out of the area that leaves no time to get a house ready for showings.
Downsizing
Long-time owners ready to trade a house and yard for something smaller and easier to keep up.
How Selling Directly Works
Tell Us About the Property
Send us the address and a few details about the condition and your situation.
Review Your Options
We evaluate the property and, if it fits our buying criteria, provide a no-obligation offer.
Choose Your Closing Timeline
If you accept, we coordinate with a professional title company and work toward a closing date that fits the transaction and your needs.
Cash Sale vs. Traditional Listing in Lanham
An updated Lanham house close to New Carrollton station can sell well on the open market, and listing may leave you with more. A house that hasn’t been updated in decades, a rental with a tenant in place, or an estate that wants a firm closing date is often a better fit for a direct sale.
| Direct Cash Sale | Traditional Listing | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs | Direct cash saleNone required from you. The offer reflects the house as it is. | Traditional listingUpdated homes usually draw stronger offers, and a buyer’s lender may require some repairs before closing. |
| Showings | Direct cash saleOne walkthrough, set for a time that works for you or your tenant. | Traditional listingShowings and open houses for as long as the house is on the market, with notice to any tenant each time. |
| Agent commission | Direct cash saleNo traditional agent commission paid to us as the buyer. You can still have your own agent or attorney review the offer. | Traditional listingA listing commission you negotiate, and in some sales a contribution toward the buyer’s agent too. |
| Buyer financing | Direct cash saleNo mortgage approval or lender appraisal on our side. | Traditional listingMost buyers use a loan, so the sale depends on their approval and an appraisal at the contract price. |
| Inspection negotiations | Direct cash saleCondition is priced in up front, so there’s usually less to renegotiate after the walkthrough. | Traditional listingThe buyer’s inspection can lead to repair requests, credits, or a price reduction. |
| Closing timeline | Direct cash saleAgreed with you at the start. It can move quickly once title and payoffs are confirmed. | Traditional listingTime on the market to find a buyer, then a loan process that often takes several weeks after a contract. |
| Seller preparation | Direct cash saleLittle to none. The contract says what you can leave behind. | Traditional listingCleaning, repairs, staging, and photos, plus clearing out decades of belongings before the first showing. |
A cash sale doesn’t always produce the highest net. A direct offer is often below an open-market price, so compare what you would keep after repairs, commissions, closing costs, and the carrying costs of months on the market.
Opens our cash offer calculator, which estimates a direct offer next to a traditional listing.
Can You Sell a House As-Is in Lanham?
In many situations, yes. A homeowner may sell a house as-is when the buyer agrees to accept the property in its current condition, although title, legal, code, or disclosure issues may still need to be handled.
As-is covers the physical condition, not the paperwork. For a Lanham house, that usually means checking for open county code cases, looking at permits for past work, and, for a rental, the status of the county rental license. If the house is inside Glenarden or another city, check that city’s records too. You still owe the buyer Maryland’s disclosure or disclaimer statement.
For more detail, see selling a Maryland house that needs major repairs and our code violation and problem property guide.
Selling an Inherited House in Lanham
An inherited Lanham home can involve any of these:
- Probate
- Multiple heirs
- Mortgages
- Liens
- Repairs
- Personal property
- Title issues
For an owner who lived in Lanham, the estate is usually opened with the Register of Wills for Prince George’s County in Upper Marlboro. Once the court appoints a personal representative, that person generally has authority to sell, and heirs who live out of state can usually sign remotely through the title company.
While the estate is open, someone has to keep the house insured and the grass under the county’s 12-inch limit. Furniture and belongings don’t have to be cleared before a direct sale, but heirs should agree on what stays.
Our guide to Maryland probate property sales explains the process from opening the estate to closing.
Facing Foreclosure in Lanham?
Timing matters. The earlier you look at your options, the more of them are usually still open. Depending on your situation, they may include a repayment plan or loan modification, Maryland’s foreclosure mediation program, a refinance, a traditional listing, or a direct sale. A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk through them with you at little or no cost, and an attorney can explain your rights.
A direct sale is one option among several. It only works if it can close before the foreclosure sale and the proceeds cover what’s owed. We can’t promise to stop a foreclosure. If the loan is a reverse mortgage on a parent’s house, the estate or heirs should contact the loan servicer early, because the loan generally comes due once the last borrower dies or permanently moves out.
Read our guide to pre-foreclosure options in Maryland.
What If the Property Has Liens or Title Problems?
Title issues that can slow a sale include:
- Old mortgages
- Judgment liens
- Tax liens
- Deceased owners
- Multiple owners
- Probate issues
Deeds, mortgages, and releases for Lanham houses are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. The title company works out what must be paid, released, or signed, and pays most items from the proceeds at closing.
See our guide to clearing liens and title issues before closing.
Lanham Seller FAQs
How fast can I sell my house in Lanham?
Do I have to make repairs first?
Do you buy inherited houses?
Can you buy a property in foreclosure?
Do you buy houses with tenants?
Can I sell with code violations?
Can I sell if I owe back taxes?
Can you buy a house with title problems?
Do I have to clean the house out first?
How do I know whether a direct sale or traditional listing is better?
Lanham & Prince George’s County Property Resources
Official county and state sources. Links open the government site in a new tab.
Prince George’s County property and taxes
- Property Taxes
Bills, due dates, and ways to pay.
- Tax Sale
The county’s annual tax sale and redemption.
- Permits & Inspections History
Past and open permits on a property, by address.
Prince George’s County code and rentals
- Code Compliance
Property standards enforcement, part of the Office of Homeland Security.
- Single-Family Housing Compliance
Grass, vehicles, paint, and exterior rules.
- Single-Family Rental Licensing
County license for 1-2 unit rentals.
Estates and courts
- Register of Wills
Estates for owners who lived in Prince George’s County.
- Maryland Courts
The Maryland Judiciary, including case search and land records help.
Statewide
- SDAT Real Property Search
Shows the county, and the town if the property is in one.
- Maryland Seller Disclosure Law
Real Property §10-702.
Checked October 2026. Government pages, fees, and programs change, so confirm details with the office listed.
Why Work With Maryland House Pros?
We’re a Maryland company with our office at 9664 Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro, and we focus on Prince George’s County. Founder Kerry Woods is a military veteran with 25 years of real estate experience. Learn more about our team.
- Maryland-based company
- Local Prince George’s County focus
- 25 years of real estate experience
- Veteran owned
- Sell as-is
- No traditional agent commission paid to us as buyer
- Flexible closing when possible
- Professional title company closing
- No obligation to accept an offer
Ready to See What Your Lanham Property Could Sell For?
Tell us about the property and we’ll review your situation.
Get My No-Obligation OfferWhat Will You Walk Away With?
We pay off your mortgage at closing. See your real net cash.
Your Property Details
Compare Your Selling Options
Compare speed, repairs, fees, and your estimated walk-away cash.
Cash Offer
Best for sellers who value speed, certainty, and an as-is sale.
Final offer subject to property condition, title review, and property details.
Traditional Sale Estimate
Traditional-sale costs and timing vary. Agent compensation is negotiable.
Based on your answers, a cash sale could provide approximately $88,000 at closing without making repairs or waiting months for a traditional buyer. Because you selected ASAP, a direct cash sale may fit your timeline better than a traditional listing.
A traditional sale may potentially produce about $49,000 more, while a direct cash sale may provide a faster closing without repairs, showings, agent commissions, or buyer-financing uncertainty.
No repairs. No commissions. No obligation to accept. Your calculator answers carry over to the form.
Calculator results are estimates for comparison purposes only and are not an offer to purchase, appraisal, settlement statement, or guarantee of proceeds. Actual property value, repair costs, mortgage payoff, closing costs, selling expenses, offer amount, and closing timeline may vary.
- Maryland-Based
- Veteran Owned
- 25 Years Real Estate Experience
- No-Obligation Offers
Maryland House Pros / Maryland Private Capital is a real estate buyer and is not affiliated with Prince George’s County or any local government agency. We are not a law firm, tax adviser, financial adviser, housing counselor, or government agency.