Are you using QuickBooks payroll? If so, then you need to set up a payroll item with the property address set up as wages and point that to your WIP account (an asset), You will have to make a journal entry to include the employer taxes. Debit WIP and Credit what every expense account they are currently pointed to.
Once the house sells, you zero out the WIP account and add your selling costs (realtor commissions, legal fees, etc.) to record the sale.