5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home “As-Is”
June 6, 2022
In this ultra-competitive housing market, it’s not unheard 
of to see homes that are listed for sale “as-is” when the homeowner either doesn’t have the time or simply prefers not to negotiate the price for any repairs or improvement. And the mere fact that the home is offered that way doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be getting a bad deal if you were to accept those terms.
In fact, sometimes a home has gone through the foreclosure process and now is bank-owned, or the seller has passed away, leaving the house in a will for the heirs or a real estate agent to sell — with little idea of what the property issues are.
All the same, an extra measure of caution is in order here. So how can buyers avoid getting stuck with a terrible home with major issues … before they move in to the new digs? Here’s are five questions to help identify what to watch for and some possible red flags to avoid when you’re strongly considering a home as-is.
Question 1: Is there roof damage?
Having to shell out an extra $10,000 or more for repairing (or worse, replacing) a roof might not necessarily be something you’d really like to do right now. Try to look for any clearly visible roof damage from a good vantage point on the ground, and if possible, examine the roof interior from the attic.
Question 2: Are there cracks in the foundation?
A faulty foundation is a huge red flag, as it probably means there is a structural issue within the home. You can work with a licensed home inspector or a veteran realtor to do a walk-through of the property with you in search of any noteworthy foundation issues. From there, have a structural engineer create a report and a repair estimate to help you gauge the expense to fix the issues. Then, aim to reduce your offer by that amount to allow for repairing the foundation.
Question 3: Are there addition-al issues?
Be on the lookout for any issues with a new(er) addition to the home. If the sellers are aware one has been done, be sure to learn if it was permitted. Some agents even discourage inexperienced buyers from making an offer on these properties, since additions can be filled with expensive problems to address.
Question 4: Is the property in a local Flood Zone?
Realtor.com® also supports an online flood risk rating to learn whether your home has flooding potential, especially if it’s a waterfront home.
Question 5: Is mold an issue there?
Because it’s both costly and unhealthy to fix a mold issue, you’ll want to watch for any signs or smells in the floors, ceiling, and walls of the home. (If you believe mold is present, then hire a professional mold removal service.)
Of course, if you’re buying a home as-is with the main intention of tearing it down and re-building on the lot, then making an offer for an as-is property is less risky if you feel the property lot and neighborhood itself suits your needs.
At Beltmann, if you’re ready to buy, then we’d love to help you prepare for any upcoming moving and/or storage needs, whether that’s merely across town or a full interstate relocation. Simply contact us for a free contactless quote, and we’d be happy to help walk you through the process.
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