As Is Sale

· 2 min read
An as-is sale means the seller is selling the home in its current condition — they won’t make any repairs, no matter what the inspection…

An as-is sale means the seller is selling the home in its current condition — they won’t make any repairs, no matter what the inspection turns up.

When a listing says “sold as-is,” it doesn’t mean you can’t get an inspection. You absolutely should. It means the seller won’t fix anything or give you a credit for repairs. If the roof leaks, the HVAC is dying, or the foundation is cracking — that’s your problem after closing.

As-is sales are common with foreclosures, estate sales, and investor flips.

Why Sellers List As-Is

  • They can’t afford repairs
  • They’re an estate and no one wants to manage renovations
  • It’s a bank-owned property (the bank just wants it off their books)
  • The property has known issues and the price already reflects that

On a $350K as-is listing, the price might be $20K–$40K below comparable homes in better condition. The discount is your repair budget.

Should You Buy As-Is?

It depends on what the inspection reveals and whether the numbers work. An as-is home needing $15,000 in repairs that’s priced $30,000 below market? That’s a good deal. An as-is home needing $60,000 in structural work? Run the numbers carefully.

Your lender may have opinions too. FHA and VA loans have minimum property standards. If the home doesn’t meet them, those loans won’t fund — even in an as-is sale.

Watch out for: Skipping the inspection because the home is “as-is anyway.” The inspection isn’t about negotiating repairs — it’s about knowing what you’re getting into. A $400 inspection that reveals a $50,000 foundation problem saves you from a disaster. Always inspect, even on as-is sales. Our buying guide explains what inspectors look for.

Can I still negotiate on an as-is sale?

Technically, you can try. The seller might refuse repairs but accept a lower price. If the inspection reveals $25,000 in needed work, asking for a $15,000 price reduction is reasonable — the seller can always say no. Some as-is sellers will also offer closing cost credits instead of price reductions. Use our closing cost calculator to see how credits affect your bottom line, and check our glossary for related terms.