A few weeks ago, I came across something that stopped me for a moment.
There is currently over $70 billion in unclaimed money sitting with state governments across the U.S. Not lost. Not gone. Just… waiting.
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, about 1 in 7 Americans has money or property they do not even know exists.
And here is the surprising part—it is not complicated situations. It is everyday life.
A forgotten bank account. A refund check that never got deposited. A utility deposit that was never returned. An insurance payout that never made it to the right place.
Life moves quickly. People move. Addresses change. And small details slip through the cracks.
Where This Shows Up in Real Estate
Reading this, I could not help but think… I see this pattern all the time. Not directly—but around the edges of every transaction.
Because real estate is one of the biggest life transitions people go through. And transitions are where things get missed.
Long-Term Homeowners
Many of the homeowners I work with have lived in their homes for 10, 20, even 30+ years. Think about everything that happens over that time:
- Different banks.
- Different employers.
- Refinances.
- Insurance changes.
- Utility accounts opened and closed.
It is not hard to imagine that somewhere along the way, something small—maybe even a few hundred dollars—was left behind.
Estate Situations
This is where it becomes even more meaningful.
When a family is handling the sale of a home after losing a loved one, they are managing so much at once:
- The home itself.
- Personal belongings.
- Legal timelines.
- Emotions.
What often gets overlooked are the financial loose ends tied to that person’s life. And in many cases, those funds eventually end up with the state—unclaimed and unknown to the family.
Moving Creates Gaps
Even in a standard sale, moving creates opportunity for things to fall through the cracks:
- Final utility refunds.
- Escrow adjustments.
- Insurance reimbursements.
- HOA balances.
If everything is not tracked carefully, those funds can easily disappear into the system.
A Simple Suggestion I Now Share
This is not complicated, and it is not sales-related. It is just something I have started mentioning to clients: Take a few minutes and check.
One of the easiest places to start is MissingMoney.com, which is connected to state databases and completely free.
- Search your name.
- Search past states you have lived in.
- Search family members.
You might find nothing.
Or… you might find something you did not even know was there.
Why This Matters
This is not really about the money. It is about awareness.
Real estate is never just about a house. It is about everything connected to someone’s life. And sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do for someone is not part of the transaction at all.
It is simply pointing out something they did not know to look for.
Bottom Line
If you have lived in your home for a long time—or helped a family member through a transition—it is worth a quick search.
