How to Sell a House As Is

Some sellers opt to sell their houses "as is," which typically means the seller will not be making any repairs on the property and the buyer is accepting these terms. Simply writing in an "as is" stipulation does not necessarily remove the seller from all liability. Some standard contracts spell out warranties, and if those lines aren't specifically countered out of the contract, the seller can find himself liable for repairs.

Instructions

1. Inform your real estate agent that you want to sell the property "as is" when you list the property for sale. If you are not using a real estate agent, include in your advertisements that the property is being sold "as is."

2. State in the purchase contract that the property is being sold "as is." There may be stated warranties included in a standard contract that you will need to delete. In some states, such as Arizona, an "As Is Addendum" is added to the sales contract, which clarifies the "as is" status.

3. Disclose any known defects with the property. Even if the house is being sold "as is," always disclose in writing any known defects or problems with the property. Have the buyer sign the disclosure, to verify the buyer was aware of any problems prior to the purchase.

4. Allow the buyer to perform inspections on the property. Even if the house is being sold "as is," allow the buyer to hire inspectors to check out the property. The contract should allow the buyer an opportunity to withdraw from the purchase, during a limited timeframe, should she discover something in the inspection that she is unwilling to accept.

Tips & Warnings

• Refusing to allow inspections, or failing to disclose known defects, can result in damages against the seller.