Seeing “as is” on a home listing can make some homebuyers nervous. The first thought often is, “what’s wrong with the home”? In fact, the term “as is” should not scare you away from a home that otherwise looks like a good fit. Understanding the term, its use, and how to approach the situation can lead to a great deal and good investment.
First, “as is” does not necessarily mean “fixer-upper,” even though this is a common belief. Most often, the term “as is” is simply the seller’s way of letting prospective buyers know that they do not want to be bothered making minor repairs.
Writing an offer on an “as is” listing does not mean that you agree to take the home in any condition, nor waive your right to have inspections. It’s important to do thorough inspections and investigations of any home you consider buying. After carefully reviewing the condition of the home, you can still request repairs or credits during your inspection period, even on an “as is” home listing. The sellers may or may not agree to do some repairs for major issues to ensure the conclusion of the sale.
Finally, some homes are in such poor condition that the “as is” description is a true warning. These homes may not qualify for traditional financing and require serious consideration about the cost and effort to repair. Most of the time, if the home appears to suit your needs, you can feel confident moving forward with the process. “As is” does not need to be scary and it does not mean you can’t still make informed decisions after an inspection.
Who doesn’t love to spend time browsing through home magazines? Every season there are new looks and trends. While some are easy to achieve with a little paint, others would require extensive redecorating and design. A trip to the mall with high-end home stores is not helpful either. Unless you are prepared to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on new items, these stores are disappointments. Fortunately, there are other ways to achieve the latest look without the designer price tag.
If you own a home, you know that you probably already maintain a homeowner’s insurance policy. Over the past few years, the cost of this insurance has soared. Wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters have caused insurance companies to dramatically increase premiums. But there are ways to try and mitigate these increases. Here are a few tips to employ in an effort to lower your costs.
Regardless of whether you are a buyer or seller, using an experienced real estate agent is important to the success of your transaction. Yet, how do you know if the agent truly has the experience they claim? While there’s a case to be made that a new agent works harder, and they have the assistance of their broker, if you want a seasoned agent for a more complicated transaction, there are a few ways to verify they meet your expectations.