What to Know About Buying a Home in As-Is Condition
What are the pros and cons of buying a house as is? Many buyers will not have heard of the "buying house as is" concept. In brief, it means that you take a chance on buying a property as it can be seen. When you enter the home, you will often notice that it needs fixing. That is what you are going to be taking on. More often than not, there will be many projects to complete.
Do you need to have experience when buying a house as is? Having your own personal experience or knowing someone who can help you is a good idea. Many builders and home contractors often buy a home in this way. They have all of the required expertise to fix the property and know what they are looking at regarding repairs.
Many laymen, however, do not possess such strengths. Quite often, homes sold in as-is condition are the types of properties that a real estate investor will acquire. Real Estate investors specifically look for homes in tough shape so they can fix them up and flip them. House flipping has become a lucrative business in many areas of the country.
What About Finance?
You will find that financing the project is going to be difficult. Banks are not keen to lend on properties with significant work, especially if they are safety hazards. Even a favorable home inspection result may not mean a lot to them.
It should be noted that not all properties sold as "buying a house as is" are in bad shape. Some of them are in good condition, and it is up to you to assess what you think about the property. However, financing will be more complicated if the property doesn't meet specific lending standards.
For example, VA mortgages have condition requirements to be met to grant a loan. So does a VA mortgage. If you are using one of these financial vehicles, it will be essential to understand if the property can be financed.
You'll want to know upfront who will be doing any repairs. Don't automatically assume that the seller will take care of any deficiencies.
What Matters: Due Diligence and Budgeting
Of course, you should try to avoid buying a money pit. When buying an as-is home, due diligence is critical. You need to know precisely what you are getting yourself into.
The most important thing you can do is set a budget. Be honest with yourself and make sure that you have enough money available.
Take whatever capital you have and split it in two ways. Set a budget for the initial home purchase, and then set a budget for how you can afford to spend to fix it up. Be prepared that you may come across a few surprises along the way. It is better to have some flexibility in your budget.
What to Look Out For When Viewing the Property
There are many things that you need to look out for when you view the property, Before you even enter the house, make sure that you have a pen and paper ready. It is always a good idea to note what is wrong with the property.
Start at the top and work your way down. Check the roof to ensure no daylight is coming through, and look at any insulation. If you can, access the roof also to check the condition externally. Replacing the roof can potentially cost you a lot of money.
Also, check all of the walls on the upper floor when the property consists of more than one story. If they are damaged, it could mean the property has a problem with dampness or leaks. This can also be costly. Always look for signs of water when purchasing a home. While water intrusion can be corrected, mold behind walls and ceilings can be expensive to amend.
Plumbing, heating, and electrical systems should all be checked thoroughly. These are the areas of the home where expenses can add up quickly. Your idea of a new bathroom suite may be excellent, but replacing a plumbing or sewage system is a costly undertaking nobody wants to deal with.
Lastly, check out the foundation, supports, and sills. These are the most critical structural components in the home. Having issues with these areas of the house can cost ten's of thousands of dollars to fix.
Ask Questions
Why is the property being sold as is? That is one of the questions you must ask yourself and anyone living there. It could just be that the person can't afford to fix up the property and would like to move on as quickly as possible. In that case, it is likely that he will be honest with you and tell you what is wrong with the property.
Many sellers try to sell their property as is because they don't know the downsides of doing so. Many real estate agents will tell you that homes marketed "as is" automatically have a negative connotation. Quite often, marketing a house "as-is" isn't necessary.
However, if you find that the home is in an area prone to natural disasters like flooding and earthquakes, you may want to think twice before spending your money. In that case, you will likely buy so much more than just a money pit.
Sellers Think They Don't Have to Disclose Problems
Sometimes, a seller will market the home as is because they think it relieves them of the obligation to be truthful. This is not the case! Many states have disclosure laws protecting buyers from sellers who do not disclose problems.
Even in Caveat Emptor states, a seller must be completely honest when a buyer asks a specific question about the home. For example, if you ask a seller if the basement takes on water, they cannot lie. Selling as is does not mean you are free to be deceitful.
Final Thoughts
Buying a house as is can be a smart move, or it can be a bad one. Each property needs to be assessed to ensure that you will either be able to live there or resell the house. If you feel uncertain, it is always best to walk away.
After all, you would be risking your hard-earned cash on most occasions.
Other Helpful Real Estate Resources
- How to increase your home value - see some great ways you can bump up the value of your home before selling. These improvements will make your home sell quicker and for more money.
- What to know about buying a home with solar panels - are you considering purchasing a home with solar power? See what you need to know in this article found at Green and Save.
Use the above resources to make better decisions when you are going to be buying or selling a home.
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