Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Texas
Looking to sell a house as-is in Texas? Whether you’ve got a fixer-upper or recently inherited a relative’s home, sometimes the goal is to skip repairs, get a fair offer, and move on.
“Even if sellers think their house isn’t ready, there are ways to get it right for selling if they want to sell,” says Kelley Martin, a top real estate agent in San Antonio who sells homes 49% quicker than the average area agent.
However, selling a house as-is usually means accepting a lower offer and it doesn’t always prevent buyers from trying to negotiate savings. Let’s take a closer look at how to sell a house as-is in Texas, your options for getting an offer, and what to expect from the process.
Fast facts about selling a house as-is in Texas
Median sales price in Texas
$330,950 (Q1 2024), according to Texas Realtors®
Average days on market for Texas
65 days (Q1 2024), according to Texas Realtors®
Disclosures
Texas law requires sellers to disclose material facts about the property through the Seller’s Disclosure Notice
MLS has field to mark a listing as-is?
No
Is a real estate attorney required?
Real estate attorneys are not considered essential for closing in the state of Texas
Real estate transfer taxes?
None
What is as-is condition in real estate?
As-is is a type of home sale where it’s understood that no improvements will be made to the property. When selling a house, as-is, the seller is choosing not to entertain requests from buyers to complete repairs or provide a credit for fixes.
An as-is sale may also indicate that the functionality and longevity of certain components of the home, such as a stove on its last legs or an older roof, is not guaranteed.
When selling a house as-is, the general condition of the property should already be accounted for in the purchase price of the home to the best of the seller’s knowledge.
Which types of homes are sold as-is?
Homes sold as-is often need some work or may be cosmetically outdated. It’s not a label you’re likely to put on a listing in pristine, move-in-ready condition.
As-is sales often attract investors searching for their next flip or buyers seeking a bargain, perhaps on a home in a great location with lots of potential.
Martin says that buyers often wish to sell their homes as-is when they don’t have the money to make necessary repairs or upgrades, or they don’t want to deal with working with contractors.
What problems do you have to disclose in Texas?
Selling a house as-is in Texas doesn’t mean sweeping known problems about the house under the rug.
A good time to fill out the Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice is prior to listing your home or requesting an offer so that you know it’s taken care of.
According to the document, any owner of a residential property comprised of a single dwelling unit must disclose basic information before selling.
The form will walk you through documenting what you know about the specific features present in your home and their conditions, the overall condition of your home, and any problems you’re aware of.
You’ll also be prompted to fill out information about the presence of smoke detectors, defects in the roof, walls, doors, and other features, known termite and fire damage, and any previous flooding or flood insurance.
No matter what method you choose to sell your home, you’re required to make these disclosures to the best of your ability. Texas does not allow for certain exceptions for sellers if they don’t live in the home. However, the state does exempt sellers from completing a disclosure notice if the sale is court-ordered, the home is going back to the lender due to foreclosure, or is part of an estate or trust settlement. There may also be other exemptions, so contact a local real estate attorney for more information.
