What Does Selling a Home “As Is” Mean? And Should You Do It?

Introduction to selling a home “as is”

Most home sellers have a fairly short and inexpensive list of fixes they must make to their property before marketing it. But others have a long and expensive one. And they may lack the time, money, or inclination to make those fixes. This second group might find selling a home “as is” attractive.

Because that means you sell the property in its current condition. By highlighting the “as is” in your listing, you’re signaling to potential buyers that you won’t be reducing the list price to cover any necessary repairs and renovation costs.

Of course, you won’t get many — probably any — buyers if you ask the sale price of a perfect home for your patently imperfect one. So, you need to ask for a realistic sum that reflects the work needed. That should attract flippers and bargain hunters while repelling those who want only perfection.

So, selling a home “as is” might or might not make you more money. But it should save you the hassle and expense of bringing the property up to scratch.

In this article (Skip to...)

• What does selling “as is” mean?
• Is selling “as is” good for sellers?
• Is selling “as is” good for buyers?
• Pros and cons of selling “as is”
• Selling “as is” implications
• FAQ

What does selling a home “as is” mean?

This is one of those rare legal terms that say what they mean. You’re selling the home as it is: in its current condition. And any repairs and renovations will be down to the buyer.

However, do not think that “as is” relieves you of your legal obligations to disclose defects to buyers on the seller’s disclosure. Only a few states now treat home sales as caveat emptor transactions, which is Latin for “let the buyer beware.”

And nearly all of them require you to complete some form of Residential Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) for inclusion in the pile of documents you’ll need to present before closing. You can check your state’s requirements using this lookup tool on the legal website NOLO. We like NOLO but we cannot vouch for its accuracy. To be sure, consult a lawyer.

Home inspection?

Some experts advise those who are home selling “as is” to first commission a home inspection. This involves an independent professional inspector checking out the home from top to bottom, reporting all the known defects he or she uncovers.

And HomeAdvisor reckoned in 2022 that one typically costs between $300 and $415, or $350 as a national average. But get a quote before you commit.

An inspection can actually help you. Not only does it help cover your legal exposure over disclosures, but it also reassures potential buyers about what’s actually wrong with the home. Without it, their imaginations could run riot, making them fear you’re offering a money pit.

You could even get quotes from contractors and specialists so that buyers can easily know the maximum costs of repairs and renovations. And that could also help you price the home competitively.

Is selling a home “as is” a good thing for sellers?

“As is” can be good for sellers. But that very much depends on your circumstances.

For example, suppose you inherit a dilapidated home thousands of miles from where you live. Chances are, you won’t know a trustworthy contractor in the strange place and won’t wish to relocate for months while works are carried out. “As is” could suit you perfectly.

Or perhaps you don’t have the funds to finance the improvements. Dave Ramsey’s website warns, “Remember, going into debt to fix your home is never worth the risk.”

And it has a point. Very few home improvements pay for themselves immediately. And some take many years of rising property prices to finally show a return on your investment. So, expensive projects are typically a no-no immediately before selling.

Benefits of “as is” for sellers

Let’s summarize the benefits of an “as is” listing for sellers:

1. Faster closing — You get your hands on the money faster because you don’t have to wait for your contractor (or spouse) to finish repairs and renovations. You’re also more likely to get offers from cash buyers, such as professional flippers and property investors, who won’t suffer delays while their mortgage is being processed
2. Cost saving — You’re not paying for improvements. You’ve transferred responsibility onto the buyer
3. Stress savings — You’re not having to manage contractors or deal with as many demanding prospective buyers
4. Greater transparency — You’re being upfront about the property’s condition, which some buyers should appreciate. If you commission a home inspection you might be seen as wholly transparent
5. Defining your market — You’ll immediately put off those who want to buy a perfect home, avoiding their time wasting. And you’ll attract the prospective buyers who are most likely to purchase a home like yours: bargain hunters, property investors and flippers

Is selling a home “as is” a good thing for buyers?

Just like for sellers, “as is” can be good for buyers. But it depends on their circumstances.

“As is” homes can provide amazing opportunities for bargain hunters, especially amateurs and professionals who are skilled in home renovation.

And they can be very tempting to property professionals, such as house flippers and real estate investors, who can often improve homes more economically than other home buyers due to their long-term relationships with contractors and suppliers.

Of course, they’re much less attractive to typical home buyers, who usually need to move out of one home straight into another. They may also lack the skills and relationships to carry out the required work economically.

Blank canvas

But “as is” homes offer another plus to their buyers. They’re usually a blank canvas, allowing the purchaser to create a home that precisely meets their needs.

If they’re buying it for themselves, that might mean tailoring it to their family’s requirements and tastes. If they’re professionals, they can create the sort of home that will appeal to their target market of home buyers or renters.

Pros and cons of selling a home “as is”

Before considering the decision to sell your house “as is”, it’s crucial to weigh the potential advantages and drawbacks.

Pros

Here are the main pros. You:

1. Often get your hands on the money faster
2. Don’t have to find the funding for repairs and renovations
3. Don’t have to stress out supervising those repairs and renovations
4. Are more likely to deal with property professionals who can be less hassle and more decisive than mainstream home buyers
5. Are offering a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) deal. That doesn’t leave much room for pointless questions and negotiations
6. May make more money than if you were to make the fixes before marketing the home

Cons

You:

1. May not make more money than if you were to make the fixes before marketing the home. You’ll probably be dealing with professionals who negotiate similar deals every day
2. Will only save time if you price the home realistically from the start. Get a good real estate agent or research your local real estate market home values carefully
3. Might consider investing in a home inspection. You wouldn’t have to do that if the home were in good condition

Implications of selling a house “as is”

Setting the initial asking price for the “as is” home is probably your biggest challenge. Professionals may smell blood in the water if you have to reduce it later.

“As is” isn’t a magic wand to make you more money. If you get contractors’ estimates for the work needed, you’ll be in a stronger position to set your price roughly correctly. Deduct those from the price of similar homes in good condition nearby. And share those quotes with prospective buyers.

Professionals can probably get the work done cheaper than you could, which might be enough to give them the profit they need. But they and amateurs might expect a discount because of all the hassle and time you’ve unloaded onto their shoulders.

It’s often a good idea to hire an experienced, trustworthy, local real estate agent. His or her expertise should help you to pitch your price where it should be. Read How to Choose a Real Estate Agent.

Negotiations

“As is” signals that you won’t do or pay for remedial work yourself. Your price already allows for the costs and inconvenience of those.

However, that doesn’t bar prospective buyers from making offers. So, expect some negotiations.

If you have a good Realtor, he or she should come into their own now. These people know the current state of the local housing market intimately. And they should be able to go toe to toe with anyone.

If you’re negotiating yourself, try to arm yourself with as many “comps” as possible. These are comparables: examples of similar homes that have sold recently in your area. And their prices can be great tools when countering offers. Allow for restoration costs if the comps are in good condition.

Have a minimum price in mind when negotiating and try to get as far above that as you can. But, bottom line, you’ll be constantly recalculating based on how badly you need to sell balanced against how much money you want or need.

The bottom line: Selling a home “as is”

In the right circumstances, selling a home “as is” can be a great idea. If you lack the time, inclination, or money to get your dilapidated home into marketable shape, “as is” can be your trump card.

That’s because you take the costs and hassle of major repairs and renovations off your own shoulders and put them on the buyer’s. Of course, you must ask a realistic price for the home.

That’s probably the fair market value of the home if it were in good condition, less the likely costs of labor and materials to restore it, and then something extra for the buyer’s trouble.

Whether selling “as is” is a good idea for you is something only you can decide. For many, it’s a no-brainer. They have no choice.

But others face a less obvious decision. If you have excellent home-improvement skills, lots of time on your hands, and access to inexpensive materials, you might make more by fixing up your fixer-upper yourself. But do you want to take such a project on? And how much are you prepared to lose to avoid it?

FAQ

What does it mean to sell a home “as is?”

You’re signaling to buyers that you won’t be making improvements or cutting the asking price to put the home in good condition. You’re saying you’ve already discounted the price to take account of that.

Can I disclose issues with the property when selling it “as is?”

Not only can you disclose issues with the home, you must. “As is” doesn’t change your legal obligation (applicable in all but a few states) to disclose all materials issues. “Material” means issues that could affect the value of the home.

Is it necessary to mention “as is” in the listing description?

You’re not obliged to. But why wouldn’t you? It should put off those who are expecting a good home for unrealistically little money, and attract serious amateur and professional bargain hunters.

Are buyers more likely to negotiate a lower price when purchasing an “as is” home?

Anyone can make an offer on any home that’s on the market. And “as is” sellers should expect some to try to negotiate. But “as is” is more likely to reduce low-ball offers than increase them.

Can I still commission a home inspection when selling “as is?”

You don’t have to get a home inspection but some experts recommend you do. It helps with your disclosures and provides welcome transparency for prospective buyers. Without an inspection, they may dream up all sorts of money-pit horrors. With one, they know exactly what they’re buying.

Should I provide a property condition report when selling “as is?”

Why not? Show your home inspection report and Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) to potential buyers for reassurance.

Can I refuse repairs or credits requested by the buyer after an inspection?

Yes. You’re selling “as is,” which means you’ve already said you’re not going to carry out or pay for repair and renovation work. However, if the offer after deductions makes good financial sense for you, you might choose to make concessions. You can do what you like in these circumstances.

How do I determine the right selling price for an “as-is” home?

This may be the hardest part of the whole home selling process. Getting a good real estate agent can make all the difference. But, if you don’t want one of those, you should research the local housing market yourself, finding as many comps as possible. Read more on this, above.