Ask questions. Even with an as-is home sale, you can ask questions, including why the house is being sold as-is: It’s an estate sale, the owners need funds fast to buy another home, they just don’t want the work of making a place move-in ready, etc. Perhaps your real estate agent could get the skinny from the seller’s agent. “This could provide some insight into the home’s condition and whether or not the repairs needed are significant,” says Patel.

Don’t disregard disclosures.  In most states, “the seller must disclose anything they know is wrong with the home, unless the property is a rental or an inheritance,” says Jimmy Hughes, a broker with JMR Realty in Oklahoma. Selling a home as-is doesn’t relieve the homeowner of this legal obligation, especially in regard to certain serious issues. According to Tomas Satas, founder and CEO of Windy City HomeBuyer, “Disclosure laws usually cover all major systems of the home, [including] infestations of any kind, the roof, the foundation and the presence of toxic substances such as lead paint, asbestos or radon.”

Verify with a local real estate agent which code, health and safety disclosures are a requirement in the state the property is located in. If you do discover problems with the home, you could ask  the seller to address them, the as-is status notwithstanding (or walk away from the deal).

Know what to put in the contract. “A home purchase contract should clearly state which items are included in the sale of the property as-is,” including furnishings, fixtures and appliances, says Body Rudy, associate broker at DwellingsMI. “Including a complete and accurate list of items in the contract also helps to protect both parties in the event that something is damaged or goes missing after the sale is final.”

Get a home inspection and/or contractor evaluation. Even if your lender isn’t requiring it, a home inspection is something all our expert sources agree is a necessity when buying a home as-is. “Home inspections are typically done before an offer is made on a property, while contractor evaluations are usually done afterward,” says Rudy. A home inspection is more thorough, but costs more, while a contractor’s evaluation is cheaper but might not be as comprehensive.

Although as-is sellers aren’t crazy about contingencies, insist on making a home inspection part of a non-negotiable contingency clause. This way, you can back out of the contract if the inspector reveals major problems, like a cracked foundation. Although you’ll be out the cost of the inspection — which usually averages between $300 and $800 —  it’s “worth it if it means not ending up with hundreds of thousands of dollars of unexpected renovations,” advises Mack.

Ask for a home warranty. There’s some debate if a home warranty is worth it, or even a possibility in an as-is home sale. “Buyers can ask for a home warranty, but on as-is homes it’s typically assumed this will not be included,” says Hughes. Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask the seller to purchase one for you, or at least for themselves up through the closing. Besides a home warranty, there are other ways to get coverage for appliances, like using a credit card with warranty perks.

For all your real estate needs, feel free to cantact me.

SHAHEED CHOUDRY 647 721 1155