10 Pros and Cons of Selling a House As-Is

Every house has its issues. Something that doesn’t work, something damaged or in need of an upgrade, or something that makes the property look less appealing to the average buyer. That’s okay. You don’t necessarily need to invest in the renovation or repair.

When you sell house as-is for cash, you are open and honest about what needs to be done on the home. At the same time, you encourage a fast, easy sale. There are some disadvantages to selling a house as-is, though, and it’s not always as successful an approach as a homeowner hopes. Here are the pros and cons of selling a house as-is.

Pro: You Are Not Responsible For The Repairs

If necessary repairs have to be done, such as those found in a home inspection, selling a house as-is means the buyer is responsible for those and not you. They accept they’re buying a property in its current condition.

Con: You Still Must Disclose Legally-Required Known Issues

This isn’t so much a con as it is a rule. Selling a home as-is does not mean you can not disclose faults and problems. You are legally required to disclose known issues with a property, and failing to do can make you liable and interfere with the sale.

Pro: You Save On The Cost Of The Repairs

Home repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. You save not only the time on those repairs but also the cost. This has to be factored into a home’s selling price. The con is that a potential buyer may try to negotiate the price down based on everything that needs to be renovated.

Con: You’re Going To Receive Lower Than Expected Offers

The perception of a house as-is is that it’s cheap. For that reason, you’re likely to get lowball offers left and right under the assumption that you’re desperate to sell. You can always negotiate upwards.

However, many investors or would-be homeowners will try to nab the property with a bid below market value. If you’re determined to get a certain price for a house, you may not be happy with many of the offers you receive.

Pro: You Can Sell Your Home In Financial Difficulty

If you’re going through financial trouble and need to sell your home for the money it would return to you, advertising a home as-is can get you a quick sale. Sometimes, an investor may be willing to pay cash for the right deal though that depends on what you’re selling, where, and what’s being offered.

Regardless, selling a house as-is can attract real estate investors, real estate flippers, and homebuyers looking for a fixer-upper, helping your financial status sometimes in a major way.

Con: You May Not Know How To Price A House As-Is

Finding the sweet spot for how much to list real estate as-is can be tricky. Too high will mean buyers don’t submit bids. Too low can turn people off in the same way or get people wondering what’s wrong with the home and unwilling to take the risk.

Pro: It Lessens The Stress Of Selling A Home

When selling real estate as-is, a lot fewer questions are involved from a buyer’s standpoint. It diminishes the stress of selling, and many report the process being a lot easier for them. As it’s as-is, you can even give a trusted friend or family member the responsibility to handle the selling process for you.

Con: You May Get A Better Price Post-Renovation

When you sell as-is, you narrow your buyer pool because many buyers want a home they buy, and everything’s already done for them. They aren’t the type to renovate. More buyers mean better offers and higher revenue generated from the sale.

Pro: Negotiations To Buy Are A Lot Faster & Simpler

A buyer probably isn’t going to submit a list of required repairs or conditions to be met before the sale of a house as-is. A home inspection may find you do not necessarily need to address any of them, instead putting that on the buyer to resolve post-sale. This reduces friction that may be involved in the negotiation process. In many cases, you can also speed through the mortgage approval and closing process.

Pro: A Faster Sale Means You Can Move On

The likelihood of a fast sale means you can more quickly exit and eliminate the responsibilities involved, such as property taxes, maintenance, and costly monthly expenses attached to the property.

It provides an influx of cash from your investment that can be used towards debt or your next home purchase. All in all, selling a house as-is means you get to move on with your life faster in most cases.

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