Cass County, ND Leads North Dakota with 545 Vacant Properties in July 2026
With 545 vacant properties, Cass County holds the largest share of North Dakota's vacant inventory, presenting significant opportunities for real estate investors.
County Overview
Cass County, North Dakota, emerges as a focal point for real estate investors seeking value-add opportunities, with 545 vacant properties recorded in July 2026. This figure positions Cass County as the leading county in North Dakota for vacant inventory, ranking #1 out of 53 counties and accounting for a substantial 15.1% of the state's total vacant properties. According to BatchData's Vacancy Rates & Investment Opportunities Report, this concentration of vacant properties, relative to the state's total of 3,602 vacant properties, highlights Cass County as a key area for targeted investment strategies. The county's total parcel count stands at 699, underscoring the significant proportion of its land inventory that is currently vacant.
A closer look at the composition of these vacant properties reveals a clear dominance of residential assets. Residential properties constitute the largest segment, with 399 units, representing 73.2% of all vacant properties in Cass County. This strong residential presence suggests potential for investors focused on renovating and reselling single-family homes or converting properties for rental income. Beyond residential, miscellaneous properties account for 55 units (10.1%), followed by commercial properties with 36 units (6.6%), and industrial properties at 33 units (6.1%). Other categories, such as exempt properties with 7 units (1.3%), office properties with 6 units (1.1%), and unknown and agricultural properties each with 4 units (0.7%), make up smaller but still notable portions of the vacant inventory. This diverse mix, heavily skewed towards residential, offers varied entry points for different types of real estate investing strategies.
The vast majority of vacant properties in Cass County are not actively listed on the market, indicating a significant pool of potential off-market deals. Out of the 545 vacant properties, 535 (98.2%) are flagged as off-market, while only 10 properties (1.8%) are currently on-market. This low on-market share is a critical insight for investors, as off-market properties often present less competition and better negotiation leverage compared to those listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The prevalence of off-market inventory underscores the importance of advanced lead generation techniques, such as skip tracing and direct outreach, for investors looking to acquire these properties.
Local Market Context
The breakdown of vacant properties by MLS status further illuminates the market dynamics in Cass County. A substantial 310 vacant properties (56.9%) are explicitly designated as "Off Market," reinforcing the prevalence of unlisted inventory. Another 160 properties (29.4%) have an "Unknown" MLS status, which can often represent properties that are not actively marketed but may still be available for acquisition through direct owner contact or other investigative methods. This category, combined with the explicitly off-market properties, signifies a robust environment for investors skilled in identifying and pursuing non-traditional acquisition channels.
For properties that have transitioned through the market, 62 vacant units (11.4%) were recorded as "Sold," indicating past transactions that might still offer insights into market values or distressed sales. Currently, only 7 vacant properties (1.3%) are "Active" on the MLS, with 3 (0.6%) listed as "Pending" sale. A small number of properties were also noted as "Canceled" (2 units, 0.4%) or "Expired" (1 unit, 0.2%), which often represent properties that failed to sell through traditional listing channels and could now be ripe for direct investor approaches. This detailed property data on MLS status provides a nuanced view of where vacant properties stand in their market lifecycle.
The significant volume of off-market vacant properties in Cass County, especially when compared to the national total of 2,199,634 vacant properties, suggests a localized opportunity that diverges from broader market trends where on-market inventory might be more common. While North Dakota's overall vacant property count is 3,602, Cass County's leadership with 545 units and a 15.1% share demonstrates its outsized importance within the state. This concentration is not merely due to overall size, but reflects a specific market dynamic where vacant properties, particularly residential ones, are abundant and largely unlisted. This scenario is ideal for institutional and mom-and-pop landlords alike who utilize property search tools and bulk data delivery to identify potential investments.
Investors targeting Cass County can leverage this information to refine their strategies. The high proportion of vacant residential properties suggests strong potential for fix-and-flip projects or converting properties into rental units. Given the low on-market share, success in this market will largely depend on proactive outreach and the ability to source deals directly from owners. Services like contact enrichment and utilizing assessor data can be crucial for uncovering owner contact information and property specifics, enabling investors to engage directly with motivated sellers. The data provided in BatchData's market reports offers a clear roadmap for identifying and capitalizing on these unique investment prospects in Cass County.