Are you thinking about selling your home “as-is” in Southern California? You’ve probably heard the term tossed around, especially when time, repairs or cash are in short supply. But what does it really mean and what should you expect?
Let’s break it down in plain language and walk through the step-by-step process so you can confidently decide if selling your home as-is is the right move for you.
What “As-Is” Really Means
Selling your home as-is means you’re selling the property in its current condition–flaws, quirks and all. You’re telling buyers, “What you see is what you get.” You won’t be making repairs, improvements or upgrades before closing.
This can be a great option if:
- Your home needs work you can’t afford to do
- You're facing foreclosure or other financial hardship
- You inherited a property and want to sell quickly
- You need to relocate fast
- You just want a fast, hassle-free sale
However, keep in mind that “as-is” doesn’t mean “no rules.” In California, sellers still have legal obligations to disclose known material defects—even if you’re not fixing them.
Step-by-Step: Selling a Home As-Is in California
Step 1: Decide if Selling As-Is Is Right for You
Evaluate your goals, timeline and the condition of your property. If the home needs repairs you can't or don’t want to do and you value speed over top dollar, as-is might be the perfect solution.
Step 2: Gather Important Documents
Even with an as-is sale, you'll need to provide:
- A Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)
- Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) reports
- Seller Property Questionnaire statement (SPQ)
- Any known issues (plumbing, roofing, foundation, etc.) not covered by the aforementioned documents.
Being as transparent as possible with your buyer will help avoid legal issues later.
Step 3: Determine Your Selling Method
You have two main options:
- Conventional Sale (on-market utilizing a real estate agent): Your buyer will likely do some kind of inspection, but that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to repair anything found in the inspection.
- Cash Buyer (off-market with an investor buyer): This is often the quickest route and this type of buyer is much more likely to buy the property as-is with no repairs required.
Step 4: Set a Realistic Asking Price
Because you’re not making repairs, your home’s value will be adjusted downward based on its current condition. A local real estate professional or cash buyer can help you price it fairly, but be sure to ask them how they came up with their valuation.
Step 5: Market the Home
If selling with a real estate agent, you will be paying them a commission to list the home on the MLS with “as-is” clearly stated and market the property to potential buyers. If selling to a cash buyer, you can skip staging, photos, open houses and other marketing.
Step 6: Accept an Offer
Review offers carefully. Cash buyers usually offer quick closings because they are taking the property as-is with no repairs. Conventional buyers may ask for credits or repairs after inspections, so even though they initially agreed to a price, they may want to adjust it after they do their inspections.
Step 7: Disclosures & Paperwork
Even as-is, California law requires you to disclose any known issues. Complete the necessary forms and ensure everything is legally compliant.
Step 8: Close the Sale
Once everything is in order, sign the closing documents and transfer ownership. With a cash sale, this can happen in as little as 7 days. With a conventional sale, it will usually take at least 21 days, but usually 30 or more.
Bottom Line
Selling your home as-is in California can be a smart move when you need speed, simplicity or just don’t want to deal with costly repairs. As long as you're upfront about the condition and follow disclosure laws, it's a legal and efficient way to sell your home—fast.
If you’re thinking about selling as-is and want to avoid the hassle of showings, inspections, and drawn-out negotiations, we can help. We specialize in buying homes as-is for cash throughout Southern California. Please reach out and we can talk about your options and see if an as-is sale is your best option.
We Offer A Stress-Free Solution!
We will do our best to bring you an offer that works! We will handle everything so you don’t have to! Remember, it’s 100% FREE and there is never any obligation to accept.
