Flipping, For Sale by Owner, Real Estate Investing, Sell Your House

Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Home As-Is

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SELL AS-IS?

An as-is sale means the homeowner is selling a home in its current state. A buyer should not expect the owner to make repairs or improvements before the sale, but rather accept the home in its present condition.

Some potential buyers who see “as-is” house sales consider it a warning of potential issues down the road.

But others, like investors or wholesalers, see it as an opportunity. People are attracted to as-is homes because buyers and purchasers save money. Sellers can also sell the house quickly and avoid unnecessary stress in the home selling process.

WHY SELL YOUR HOME AS-IS?

There are several reasons why sellers list their homes as-is without making improvements or updates. Perhaps they inherited a home and want to unload and liquidate it fast. Maybe there are too many repairs than the seller can afford. Or maybe they just want to move on with their lives and start looking elsewhere for a fresh start. In any case, an as-is sale typically requires a cash buyer, as certain maintenance or repair issues the house would preclude it from qualifying for a mortgage.

REPAIRS YOU OFTEN MUST MAKE

Your buyer’s financing may depend on you fixing certain serious issues. The lender may ask you to pay for electrical or plumbing issues or a new roof before the buyer gets the loan. If the buyer can’t get a mortgage, they can’t buy your house.

 Other repairs that you may be asked to do include

  • Building code violations
  • Structure defects: foundation, walls, support structures
  • Termite damage
  • Bats or squirrels in an attic
  • Leaking roof
  • Outdated or unsafe electrical wiring
  • Water supply issues, such as a well
  • Electrical systems
  • Mold and mildew
  • Broken pipes or major plumbing

WHO BUYS HOMES AS-IS?

Buyers investing in as-is properties should expect to inherit any problems that may come with a home in need of repairs. A buyer must sign a document that makes it clear that they understand they type of home deal they are getting into. However, the buyer still has legal rights to know the same information that the seller knows when moving forward with the sale. As a result, if there are any known problems, the seller is obligated to disclose them.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE SELLING YOUR HOME AS-IS

Even when selling a home as-is, sellers are still required by law to disclose any defects about the house. If a seller purposely withholds known information about the issues regarding the house, they may incur legal liability if the problems surface down the road. Disclosable flaws include lead, sewer damage, sinkholes, and flooding. However, disclosure requirements vary state-to-state, so be sure to check local state laws for necessary disclosure information.

In addition to making sure to disclose all relevant information about the property, as-is home sellers should expect to have to negotiate on the price. Even in an as-is sale, the buyer still has the ability to negotiate the final sale price with a counteroffer. As-is does not mean a buyer will never ask for repairs or compensations after an inspection. In fact, this type of negotiation is typical in all home buying processes.

If you’re considering selling your home as-is, here are some tips to help you make sure everything goes smoothly:

  • Obtain a Pre-listing Inspection

An inspection will tell the seller what they need to know about the house before they sell the house as-is. Getting a pre-listing inspection allows sellers to know what to disclose about the house’s condition and learn everything about the house before selling it. An inspection can help sellers decide what improvements and upgrades to make before putting the home on the market.

Additionally, a pre-listing inspection allows the seller to seek estimates for repairs needed so the seller can properly inform a prospective buyer about what may need to be done to the home. Some buyers will find the most expensive estimate on improvements needed as a bargaining chip for the final sale price. If a seller completes their own estimates, they will be in a better position to counter a buyer’s numbers. This will give the seller better negotiating power over the purchase price.

  • Make a Few Home Improvements Anyway

Cash home buyers are spending a significant amount of money on buying a house as-is house payment. The money that remains for repairs may be limited, particularly if they are real estate investors seeking to make a profit on re-selling the home. Making improvements to a home being sold as-is will result in a higher purchase price for the home, and are likely to cover the costs of the improvements in the first place.

Cash home buyers expect an as is home to need cosmetic fixes. With that said, it may be cost effective to do some minor renovations to improve the curb appeal of the home. Also, buyers are usually turned off from purchasing a home with major structural issues, like plumbing or roof damage. If you do consider making home improvements to an as-is home, just do the important home improvements. Common home improvements for as-is homesales include:

  • Replacing the roof,
  • Updating the electric panel,
  • Installing a new water heater,
  • Addressing any pests, mold, or water damage,
  • Repairing pipes, sewer connection, or septic system, and
  • Updating the HVAC system.

If a seller is willing to do these types of repairs, they are likely to land a higher purchase price at closing. This can help you sell a house quickly. Of course, an as-is seller always has the option to skip renovations altogether if appropriate for their budget and timeline.

  • Try Your Hand at Marketing

Marketing will help sell a house quickly. Doing some research and outreach will help you target the right kind of cash home buyer or investor. Make your listing description attractive. Tell the buyer all the great and accurate things about the home and paint them a picture that they can imagine themselves appreciating.

Rather than focusing on the as-is condition of the home, share about the positive aspects of the property. As-is sales are expected to need improvements, so be sure to discuss things like location, lot size, floor plan, and any unique features that may catch a buyer’s eye. Any of these elements can be great selling points.

And of course, make sure the sale price is reasonable. Do some research on the comparable prices are for your market and price your home accordingly. Recent sales of similar homes in similar neighborhoods will give you a good idea of what to price your home at. In an as-is sale, both the buyer and the seller know that repairs will be necessary. So do not try to up the sale price unreasonably – this will only cause your home to sit on the market unsold.

If you’re considering an as-is homesale so that you’ll sell the house quickly, consider working with 8 Day Home Sale. We’ll make a cash offer to buy your house in as-is condition, no repairs or cleanup needed. We’ll even help you move! Contact us today for a free, fair cash offer – we look forward to the opportunity to work with you Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia!

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For Sale by Owner, Foreclosure, Investing, Mortgages, Real Estate Investing, Sell Your House

5 Reasons Why Selling to a Cash Home Buyer Makes Sense

Is there anything better than cash in-hand? When it comes to selling your house, perhaps not. Selling your home to a cash home buyer or considering cash offers for homes can help you walk away from the closing table quite a bit richer than you were when you sat down. But what is a cash offer, and when is it smart to sell a home for cash?

What is a Cash Offer?

Cash offers for homes occur when a buyer offers a seller cash for the entire cost of the house instead of getting financing from a mortgage lender or other institutions.
Most home buyers must obtain some type of financing to afford purchasing the house, usually in the form of a mortgage. However, a cash home buyer will be able to purchase a home without a mortgage loan or other financial assistance. Cash offers are typically lower than the full market value of the house, but there is a good reason for this. First, cash offers are low risk, as sellers don’t have to worry about buyer financing falling through. Second, most of the reduction in the offer price is offset by the fact that the seller does not have to spend time, money, and resources on selling, upgrading, and negotiating the property.

How Common Is It to Sell a Home for Cash?

Cash offers are quite common. The most common scenarios where cash offers occur are from an investor or investment company interested in a property. In these cases, a homeowner can typically sell their house as-is. However, there are many reasons why a cash home buyer may be interested in your property.
Some home buyers have cash on hand, such as from the proceeds of selling their previous home. Cash buyers are also common in competitive seller markets where financing delays may cause the seller to accept a more enticing offer. This occurs because buyer who can pay cash have an advantage on buying a property over mortgage buyers.
Also, the property is a fixer-upper, a cash sale can help the homeowner sell their house as-is. Cash buyers are also commonly courted if the property is facing a foreclosure, since in these cases homeowners typically must close quickly.

Is Working With a Cash Home Buyer a Good Choice for Me?

There are several advantages to accepting cash offers for homes. First, the average mortgage buyer takes 30-45 days to close, whereas a cash offer may take a week or two. Overall, in a competitive market, sellers will benefit from taking a cash home buyer offer over a mortgage buyer. Buyers with the fewest obstacles are the easiest and most profitable to deal with.
For years now, 8 Day Home Sale has been helping homeowners across Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Baltimore . We’ve helped every single one of our customers sell their home on their timeline, for cash. If this is something that appeals to you, read on for the five top reasons that selling to a cash homebuyer makes sense.

1. More Flexible and Faster Sale Process

Cash offers for homes are more attractive to sellers because there is no fall-through risk with the purchase and there is a faster closing time. A cash house buyer does not need to obtain a mortgage, as it is implied, they already have the cash for the purchase. Therefore, the mortgage application and approval process can be skipped.
Not having to secure a mortgage also means there is less of a chance that the financing falls through. A mortgage buyer can face financial difficulties, like an employment change or identify theft, which can ultimately derail a sale. Also, the underwriting process for a mortgage takes a month or more, and there is always the possibility that the deal will fall through due to the buyer’s inability to secure a loan during that time. Therefore, mortgage buyers are less reliable and certain.
When you sell a home for cash, there is no mortgage application, documentation, underwriting, or appraisal. There is need for the buyer to sort out the title policy and insurance, provide proof of funds, and sign closing documents, but that may only take a week, maybe two. A buyer with a cash offer will have to supply a seller with proof of funds, which automatically shows the buyer is ready and able to close quickly.
When you sell home for cash, you do not need to enlist a real estate agent. Therefore, you do not have to wait for them to take photos, list your home, or host open houses. A faster closing can put money into a seller’s pocket sooner.
And a closing in a cash offer only involves a settlement statement, title, deed, and a cashier’s check. There is reduced paperwork and lower overall closing costs since there are no lender fees or transactions needed.

2. No Improvements or Updates Needed

In a cash sale, you can typically sell the house as is. When your home is offered in an “as-is” condition, the buyer can take it or leave it. You do not need to agree to making repairs or upgrades to the home before a buyer agrees to sell it. As a result, there are usually only a few, if any, contingencies with cash offers for homes.

3. No Real Estate Fees

Cash offers for homes means not having to pay for a real estate agent’s commission. Typically, commission fees are around 6 percent, which can turn out to be a large sum of your selling price. Although a seller may be accepting less money from a cash home buyer than they would a mortgage buyer, a seller will be saving on improvements, bank fees, agent fees, and interest fees.

4. Avoid Most of the Nitty Gritty

During the home selling process, there are several steps that could go wrong. However, with a cash home buyer, a lot of those make or break steps can be avoided. The deal favors the seller, rather than the buyer, because the buyer knows they are getting a home as-is.

A buyer also does not need an appraisal, as would be required by a mortgage buyer’s lender. Home appraisals are needed by the mortgage lender and are considered part of the cost of buying a home. Therefore, a cash home buyer will usually skip this process. As such, a cash offer can help people sell homes quickly and eliminates the cost and time requires to get an appraisal.

Cash home buyers will end up paying some of the same fees. For example, in either case, a buyer needs to pay an earnest money deposit and pay transfer taxes, escrow fees, and closing cost. This is in addition to the homeowner’s responsibility of purchasing homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees (if applicable), and property taxes.

5. Helps to Avoid Foreclosure

If your home is going to be foreclosed due to an unpaid mortgage, selling your home for cash will help you pay your mortgage and start over sooner. 8 Day Home Sale has helped countless home sellers in this situation, as well as people looking to downsize, sell a property they recently inherited, seniors looking to transition to new housing, and people in countless other circumstances that merit a fast and easy home sale. If you’re interested in working with a cash home buyer, contact us today – we’ll work with you on your timeline, and you’ll walk away from the closing with cash in hand.

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