Can I Sell a House As Is?

Selling a house as is may seem like a straightforward, low-stress path to the market. However, it’s a little more complicated than you may think.

Choosing to list as is comes with a long list of special considerations, including legal implications. There are also all kinds of financial drawbacks that come with foregoing pre-listing preparation.

If you’re thinking about selling your home as is, this blog is for you. We’ll look at what it means to sell a house as is, the risks involved, and how sellers can best protect their returns.

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What Does it Mean to Sell a House As Is?

On paper, selling a house as is simply means listing a property without making any changes to it. However, the application of this term isn’t usually as open-ended as the technical definition.

In the context of a real estate transaction, selling a house as is comes with specific implications. Because these implications will influence how a buyer sees and analyzes the property, sellers need to understand the correct usage of this term in order to protect their legal and financial interests.

What is As Is in Real Estate?

When a house is listed as is, the seller is essentially presenting the home for sale with the caveat that no alterations, repairs, or upgrades will be made to it. While technically any seller can choose to do this, there’s usually a reason.

If a property is being sold as is, there’s a good chance that there are significant problems with the home. When buyers see this, there’s a general understanding that the home will need some work. This will impact what they’re willing to pay and how eager they are to make an offer.

Disclosing Known Issues

When it comes to an as is home sale, buyers will generally have a rough understanding of a property’s substandard condition. However, this doesn’t excuse sellers from disclosing the specifics.

Legally speaking, sellers are still required to share information regarding any and all issues with the home. On top of that, buyers are still entitled to request a home inspection and renegotiate their offer based on its results.

Should I Sell My House As Is?

Can you sell your home as is? Sure, but should you? That’s a different question altogether.

When a homeowner wants to sell as is, it’s often for one of two reasons. Either they don’t think that preparing and upgrading the home will be worth the effort. Or, they just want to get their home on the market as fast as possible in hopes that it will sell quickly.

These ideas may sound logical on paper, but they don’t usually pan out in reality.

Looking for more advice on how to sell your house in Colorado? Explore these related blog posts.

What’s the Risk of Selling a House As Is?

There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t sell your house as is, but the main one is money. Put simply, if you choose to sell your home without putting the proper work in, you won’t get the best possible return for it. Even in a red-hot seller’s market, making a few key upgrades can add tens of thousands of dollars to your home’s value.

Plus, when you list your home as is, there’s a good chance it will take longer to sell. As a seller, it’s your job to make your home stand out from other listings in your area. That’s a lot harder to do when you list your home as is – especially if other homeowners are going the extra mile to make their listings shine.

Should I Get a Home Inspection Before Selling?

If you think your house has seen better days to the extent that it’s not worth fixing up before you list it, there’s a chance that it could be hiding even costly issues that you don’t know about. In that case, you may want to get an independent home inspection done before you start the selling process.

First and foremost, getting a pre-listing home inspection also reduces the risk of uncovering major issues after a buyer has already placed their offer, which can hurt your bottom line or even jeopardize your sale altogether.

It also gives you a full picture of the health of your property, which will help you make informed choices on how to maximize your ROI.

Getting the Most Money for Your Home

No matter what condition your home is in, properly preparing it for the market is incredibly important. Even if houses in your area are in high demand, presenting your home at its best is the best way to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table. Here are a few tips to do exactly that.

Choose Your Real Estate Agent Wisely

If you want to sell your house smoothly and for the most money possible, you’ll want to be selective in who you hire. An experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent will know how to best present your home based on what buyers in your area are looking for. They can also connect you to local contractors and other tradespeople to help you get the place market-ready.

Create a Blank Canvas

At the end of the day, buyers are looking for a place that feels like home – their home. Part of getting your house market-ready will be creating a welcoming “blank canvas” atmosphere – one where buyers can imagine themselves living their best life.

Start by doing a deep clean of your home, getting rid of any bulky or unnecessary items or furniture. Next, take some time to depersonalize your decor. Removing family photographs and other overly personal items you have hanging around will do the trick.

Searching for more home seller resources? Read these blogs next!

Fix What You Can

Now it’s time to address any issues with your home. This includes small stuff like burnt-out light fixtures and larger fixes like plumbing issues. On paper, making major repairs or renovations may seem inconvenient or time-consuming, but the payoff will be worth it.

Your real estate agent can offer professional recommendations on which upgrades should be prioritized and which may not be completely necessary.

Set the Right Price

Once your home is in great shape, you’ll need to decide on the right asking price. This requires a lot more strategy than many sellers realize. Once your house hits the market, nothing is guaranteed.

If you price too low, you could leave potential returns on the table. If you price too high, you run the risk of alienating buyers. Once again, this is where your agent’s expertise comes in. They’ll help you pick a number that maximizes your odds of success.

Sell Your Home With Alana Hankins

Searching for a great real estate agent in Denver, Colorado? Look no further! With more than 20 years of experience selling homes in Denver, my innate understanding of local buyers and their expectations is your ticket to a great home sale. On top of managing a smooth and efficient selling process, I’ll also help you get the most money possible.

Looking to make the most of your Denver home sale? Email alana.hankins@compass.com or call 303.907.1500 to get in touch!

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Whether buying or selling a home in the Denver Metro area, my experience, local expertise, and market savvy can help you get the most from your next move. Book a meeting with me to see how.

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