Often a client will ask if the fact that a home is being sold "as-is" should be a red flag. Is the seller trying to hide something?

That may be the case, although I tend to doubt it. A more likely scenario is simply that the Seller doesn't want a prospective buyer nickel and diming them down off an agreed upon sales price for minor issues. They don't want to have to worry about handling these repairs, if found. Very often, there is nothing wrong with the home at all.

Buyers should see the "as-is" clause as an advantage for them. As a matter of fact, even when a home isn't listed "as-is", I recommend to my buyers that we write the contract that way. The reason is this - by writing the contract as-is with right to inspect, we reserve the right to inspect the home and back out of the contract if any issue is found. We retain our deposit and walk away clean; or we can use the findings as a negotiating tool. Not for nickel and dime items, but for any substantial repairs. Regardless, we don't have to purchase a home with a defect.

Please know that not all "as-is" purchase contracts protect you to this extent, so please make sure your buyer agent knows how to write the contract to your benefit. 

Ultimately , as-is deals are good for both parties - the Sellers do not have to worry about giving up more money for repairs, and the Buyer is protected if anything is found wrong.

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