Many home sellers sell their properties “as is,” especially when not working with an agent. Some make this choice because they cannot afford to repair the house or pay for any fixes. They cannot afford to make changes with their home and want to sell it in its current condition.
That said, there really is nothing wrong with buying a home “as is,” especially if you can get it at an excellent price. However, you have to remember to be careful, and one of the best ways to do that is to hire a professional home inspector. Here is why.
1. You need to define “as is”
What does “as is” really mean when you are purchasing a particular house? That will depend solely on the home’s current condition. For instance, you can either end up with a home that is well-maintained with minimal repairs needed or a home that is riddled with issues that need immediate fixing.
When you let a professional inspect the house thoroughly before going through with the transaction, you get to define what “as is” means. They will help you know precisely what you are getting yourself into when purchasing the home, which can put you in a better position to negotiate a much better deal.
2. Protects your purchase
If you buy the home without having it inspected and eventually encounter an issue, you will be left in a difficult position that will likely end up with you dealing with the problem by yourself. With a professional’s help, however, the chances of this happening are reduced.
An inspector can review the information the seller discloses about the home and identify any evidence of misrepresentation, allowing you to hold the seller accountable. In other words, any issues you find would not be your responsibility, but that of the seller’s.
3. Provides you with unbiased information
As mentioned earlier, a seller has to disclose information about the home they are selling. This is a requirement in many states and applies to houses sold “as is.” However, the problem is that this information can be quite biased, meaning that issues may be played down and even hidden away. There are also some cases where this information may even be false.
With a professional inspector to help you with the transaction, you can get full unbiased accounting of the home’s condition. In other words, you get the whole truth behind the property, allowing you to make the best decision as to whether you should purchase it.
Conclusion
When purchasing a home “as is,” you will want to make sure that you get the house at a fair price. You will also want to lower the chances of any nasty surprises that can pose problems in the future. For these reasons and more, we highly recommend that you work with a professional inspector. That way, you can get the information you need to know exactly what you are about to buy. It will also help protect you in the case of any problems you discover, allowing you to negotiate for much better deals.
Residential Inspections Edmonton is a Canadian residential inspector that helps buyers and sellers maximize their investments. If you are looking for the best home inspection in St. Albert, schedule an inspection with us today!