The Pros and Cons of Buying a House As-Is

Dusty Rhodes • September 2, 2024

If it’s your first time buying a home, you may expect it to be move-in ready on day one. However, not all homes are at their best when the paperwork is signed. If you’re looking at home listings for properties that are being sold “as-is”, there’s a strong chance that they may need repairs or renovations. 


What Does It Mean When a House is Sold As-Is? 


When a house is sold as-is, it typically means that it is being sold in its current condition. The seller won’t make any improvements, repairs or changes. It’s not uncommon for homes that are sold as-is to need significant renovations or repairs. Frequently, homes that need to be torn down are sold as-is. 


Reasons to Purchase a House As-Is 

  • Low list price: An as-is home is often listed below market value because of its condition. It’s generally safe to assume that the seller and buyer both know that the home will require significant updates or repairs. 
  • Desirable land or location: Some people buy an as-is home for the land it sits on. This type of sale can be particularly interesting to buyers who want to tear down a house and build their dream home in a specific area. 
  • Fast sale: In some cases, a seller may want to get rid of their home quickly. As-is sales typically involve less negotiation between the buyer and the seller, leading to a quicker transaction. 
  • Less competition: Because an as-is home may require significant expenses after purchase, there could be less competition from other buyers who lack the funds to repair, upgrade, tear down or flip an as-is home. 
  • Extra funds to renovate: Since as-is homes often come with a lower price tag, you may have the funds to update and personalize a property to your exact specifications. 
  • Investment opportunities: Real estate investors may seek an as-is sale as an opportunity to renovate and flip a home for profit. There’s a similar appeal for investors who want a rental property, since they can control the cost of updates and repairs. 


Potential Drawbacks of Buying a House As-Is 

  • Renovation expenses: A home sold as-is may require costly repairs. This could include addressing concerns like a leaking roof, mold or structural issues. The home’s plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems could also require repair or replacement. 
  • Possible health hazards: A home that’s in rough condition could have health risks, including pest infestations and the presence of asbestos or lead paint. It’s wise to get the home professionally inspected for these issues prior to purchase and take the necessary precautions when repairs begin. 
  • Hidden expenses: Even with a home inspection, there could be hidden issues. Corroded pipes, rotten wood or foundation issues could lead to a costlier renovation than expected. 
  • Inflexible sellers: Sellers of as-is homes often want to avoid negotiation. They are also less likely to accept an offer that gives the buyer an opportunity to cancel the home sale and recover their earnest money deposit. For example, a contingent offer that requires a successful home inspection may be viewed as unfavorable by the seller. 


Financing a Home that’s Sold As-Is 


There are fewer mortgage options for buyers who want to finance the purchase of an as-is home. This is especially true with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, where the Department of Housing and Urban Development has minimum property requirements that must be met. 


Some conventional loans also require a lender-issued home inspection to secure a mortgage. If the results of such an inspection give the lender pause, repairs will need to be made before the sale can move forward.   


These conditions may be a barrier for many homebuyers. Still, Michael C. Weiner, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Warburg, says that securing a home loan on an as-is property is not more difficult if the buyer is in good financial standing and does not overpay. 


“First, a bank has to want to loan a buyer money (thus, strong financials), and then the property needs to be appraised for the purchase price or more for the collateral against the loan,” says Weiner. “Before submitting the offer, a buyer should have a pretty good sense of what the property is worth and what it will cost to make changes – because once the sale is complete, it’s all on the buyer.”


Tips for Buying Real Estate As-Is 


“As-is doesn’t necessarily mean that the property has issues,” says David Harris, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Warburg. “It means that the seller isn’t making any upgrades or improvements.” Harris offers the following tips for buyers who want to purchase a home that’s sold as-is.


1. Have a Property Inspection 


You may already be anticipating expensive repairs when you buy a home as-is, but you should still get it inspected. “While it does incur a cost, spending the money brings peace of mind,” says Harris. “Even if you are okay with performing minor upgrades or if you expect to make improvements, having an inspection can help assess the scope of work to be done as well as inform whether or not larger issues are present.”


2. Ask Lots of Questions 


As a buyer, it’s crucial to learn as much as you can about the property. “This is one of the most important financial transactions some will ever make,” says Harris. “Ask when the last time any work was done to the electrical or the roof. Ask if there were ever any leaks or water damage.”


3. See the Property on a Rainy Day 


The effects of a rainshower can tell you a lot about potential issues with the home. Harris notes that, “The best time to see if there are any roof issues or leaks in the basement due to foundation or plumbing issues is to see the property when it’s raining.”


4. Review Financials on Investment Properties


“If it’s an investment property that’s currently being rented, ask to see the rent roll and operating expenses,” says Harris. “Find out if the tenants are paying rent on time.” If the property is vacant, your real estate agent should run comps for similar rentals in the area. Harris advises buyers to “See what types of rental properties are in demand in that particular neighborhood.”


Additional Considerations: Buying a House As-Is


The buyer is generally assuming more risk and less opportunity for negotiation when buying a house as-is. Still, a home inspection and the disclosure regulations in your area should provide a clearer picture of the home that you plan to purchase. In some cases, these findings may provide an opportunity to renegotiate the purchase price. 


Negotiating an As-Is Purchase


When a home is listed “as-is,” the seller is often less likely to negotiate. However, you don’t want to pay more than the home is worth, especially if you had the house inspected and found major problems. An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the process, and you can always ask the seller to adjust the purchase price if they refuse to make repairs themselves. 


Seller Disclosures Are Almost Always Required 


In most states you will be entitled to a Seller’s Disclosure when you purchase a home. This legal document is also known as a property disclosure, and it requires the seller to provide information about the property to the best of their ability. This includes undisclosed details about the home that may give buyers pause, and it helps protect the seller from potential lawsuits after the sale.


The Seller’s Disclosure is typically part of the closing process. The information that it contains will vary depending on the disclosure laws where house is being sold, but most property disclosures typically include:

  • Appliances that convey with the sale.
  • A checklist of known issues that the seller must confirm, if they exist.
  • Questions that the seller must answer about the property.
  • The opportunity to provide further information about issues specified in the disclosure.
  • The opportunity to disclose information that is not specified in the document. 


Consider a Home Warranty 


A home warranty will not cover preexisting conditions or known issues when you purchase a home, but it may provide some peace of mind if you’re concerned about unexpected repairs. 


In general, buying a home warranty will offer some protection for your home’s fully functional appliances, as well as the plumbing and electrical systems if they are in good working order. 


Assemble the Right Team to Buy a Home As-Is


Purchasing a home that requires extensive renovations is a complex process, and you’ll benefit from the expertise of an experienced real estate agent, attorney and contractor. In some instances, you may also need an architect to help you understand the scope of your project. 


“Your attorney will be able to search for several potential problems, such as open jobs filed with the city for renovations that were not closed, which can be costly,” says Dan Ragone, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Invite your contractor and architect to visit the property and get estimates on what it would cost to make the property livable for you and consider this cost in the asking price to make sure you’re getting the best deal.” 


In a best-case scenario, Ragone suggests making an all-cash offer or getting a mortgage pre-approval in case there are multiple bids on the property. 


Should You Buy a House That’s Sold As-Is? 


If you have the budget and the vision, an as-is property can be the humble beginnings of your fully renovated dream home. However, it could also be challenging if you’re not prepared for the time and effort that a fixer upper will require. 


Be prepared to ask plenty of questions during the buying process, ensure that you have the budget to renovate, and seek out an experienced real estate agent to help you negotiate the deal.

Source: Homes.com



Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Balancing Wants vs. Needs in Your First Home

By Dusty Rhodes • May 18, 2026
Buying your first home comes with a mix of excitement and pressure, especially when it comes to balancing wants vs needs in first home decisions. It’s easy to get drawn to stylish finishes and dream features, but the most successful buyers focus first on how a home functions day to day – and what they can realistically afford, often using tools like a home affordability calculator to stay grounded. Striking the right balance early can make the difference between a home that simply looks good and one that truly supports your lifestyle. In this guide, we break down how to separate must-haves from nice-to-haves so you can make a confident, practical decision. From navigating your home search in Spokane, WA , to settling into a new space in Austin, TX , these insights are designed to help buyers in any market make smarter choices. What’s the difference between wants and needs in a first home? When buying your first home , understanding the difference between wants and needs is one of the most important steps in making a confident decision. “Needs are the must-haves that make a home work. Good access, enough space for your furniture, a functional layout, and a location that fits your routine are essential,” states Rob Romano, Director of Operations at Coutu Movers . “Wants are the extras that make the home feel great, but don’t impact how easily you can actually live in it or move into it.” Needs are the foundation of a home that works for you day to day. These are the elements that directly impact how easily you can live in the space. Wants, on the other hand, are features that make a home feel more personalized or visually appealing, but aren’t essential. Rob Romano recommends: “From our experience handling high-end moves, clients who get clear on their needs early make better decisions and avoid common headaches on moving day – such as tight spaces, tricky access, or furniture that simply doesn’t fit. When the fundamentals are right, the entire move – from packing to final placement – runs smoother and feels a lot less stressful.” How your budget shapes wants vs. needs Your budget plays a major role in defining what counts as a need versus a want. What fits comfortably within your monthly payment should guide your priorities – not stretch them. Look beyond the purchase price and consider your total monthly cost, including your mortgage , taxes, home insurance , and maintenance. If a home pushes your budget to the limit, features that were once “wants” can quickly become financial stressors. It also helps to leave room for unexpected expenses like repairs or higher utility bills. Choosing a home that fits your budget comfortably gives you more flexibility – and the option to upgrade over time without added pressure. Why function should always come first It’s easy to fall in love with a home based on how it looks, but how it works is what truly shapes your day-to-day experience. A well-designed space makes everything from moving in to settling down feel easier, while a beautiful but impractical home can quickly become frustrating. “The biggest mistake buyers make is prioritizing how a home looks over how it functions,” says Raymond Correira, owner of Correira Brothers’ Moving & Storage . “A true need is anything that reduces friction – layout, storage, accessibility, and how easily the home can be moved into and lived in day-to-day. Most ‘wants’ fade quickly if the space isn’t practical.” Key elements of a functional home include: A layout that flows naturally and fits your lifestyle. Adequate storage to keep spaces organized and clutter-free . Easy access for moving furniture and daily use. Practical room sizes that accommodate how you actually live. Thoughtful design that fits your lifestyle . The hidden costs of prioritizing wants over needs Focusing too heavily on wants can feel rewarding at first, but it often leads to unexpected challenges down the line. While cosmetic features and trendy finishes may make a home feel move-in ready, they can distract from deeper issues that are far more expensive and difficult to fix. Over time, those overlooked “needs” can turn into costly renovations, daily frustrations, or even limitations on how you use your space. Common hidden costs include: Reworking a layout that’s inefficient or awkward. Updating outdated systems such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. Addressing structural issues or foundational concerns. Expanding spaces that don’t meet your needs. Retrofitting storage or functionality that wasn’t there to begin with. “After years of working on homes across the Carolinas, we always tell buyers to prioritize structure over style,” suggests Lauren Garlock, controller at BGC Expert Contractors . “A bad layout or aging infrastructure is costly to fix, but outdated finishes are an easy upgrade. Buy for the structure, renovate for the style.” Common wants vs. needs examples for first-time buyers When you’re house hunting , it’s easy for wants to feel like needs – especially when a home is beautifully presented. Breaking things down side by side can help you stay focused on what truly matters for your day-to-day life.

Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.

By Dusty Rhodes • April 20, 2026
Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved . Because here’s what not enough people know. If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle this step. No matter what you’ve heard, pre-approval isn’t about commitment . It’s about clarity . And here are the two big ways pre-approval sets you up for success. You Know Your Numbers Up Front During the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score , and more. And once you have that number, your search becomes a lot more focused. With a mortgage pre-approval, you know what you can borrow, so it’s easier to figure out your ideal price point, and what you can actually afford. And that clarity is key. Because if you just start browsing online and just guess at your price point, you run the risk of falling for a house that’s outside of your price range – or missing out on ones that aren’t. You want this number to be clearly defined before your search. Here’s why. You Can Move Quickly When You Find the One This is how a lot of home searches go today. You scroll through listings just to see what’s out there, and then it happens. You fall in love with something you’ve seen online. If you’re already pre-approved? You’re probably in great shape. But if you’re not… Instead of being able to jump on that house and quickly make an offer, you have to scramble to get a lender, gather the financial documents, and then submit the necessary pre-approval paperwork first. And while you’re waiting to hear back from your lender, someone else who’s more prepared could beat you to the house. As Bankrate explains: “The best time to get a mortgage preapproval is before you start looking for a home. If you find a home you love but don’t have a preapproval in hand, you likely won’t have time to get preapproved before you need to make an offer...” And that’s avoidable, with the right prep. Because while you can’t control when the right home shows up, you can be ready for it. Think of it like showing up to the starting line with your shoes tied and your warm-up done – while everyone else is still looking for parking. It’s not about rushing your timeline. It’s about removing the delay between finding the right home and being able to move on it. One Thing You Need To Know About Pre-Approvals Speaking of timing, pre-approvals do have an expiration date. So, be sure to ask your lender how long it’s good for. The Mortgage Reports explains: “ Mortgage preapproval letters are typically valid for anywhere from 30 to 90 days. However, a preapproval can be updated and extended if the lender re-checks your information.” Doing the right prep and knowing this information can make the whole process a lot smoother. You don’t have to be ready to buy to be ready to buy. Getting pre-approved doesn’t mean you’re committing to buy right now. It just means you’ve taken a step to understand your numbers. And when a home catches your attention, you’re prepped and good to go. Bottom Line Ask yourself this: if your perfect home popped up tomorrow, would you be ready to make a move? If the answer is no and you want to buy, it may be time to get pre-approved. You don’t feel behind before your search even officially kicks off.

How to Form New Habits To Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

By Dusty Rhodes • April 13, 2026
Tired of an untidy house? Try a new approach by adopting habits that automatically keep your home orderly Keeping our homes orderly and free of clutter is a struggle for many of us, especially if we’re not naturally organized . If you fall into this category, there’s definitely hope — you just may need to change your habits. Before you roll your eyes and shrug off that idea as impossible, let me tell you what has helped me keep a tidier home. I tried a concept called the “habit loop,” which is described in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, the best-selling book by Charles Duhigg. The habit loop consists of three steps: cue, routine and reward. The cue is a reminder that initiates the new behavior. The routine is the behavior itself. The reward is the benefit you get from implementing the new behavior. Duhigg says that during the first two weeks of developing a new habit, it’s important to give yourself a treat that you really enjoy right after you complete the new behavior. This will teach your brain to enjoy the new routine. While I’m a professional organizer and really do enjoy decluttering and organizing, I also have an extremely busy life and like to do a lot of other things besides organizing my house. Using the habit loop really helped me get into daily, automatic tidying habits. Perhaps this approach could offer a fresh, effective way for you too to conquer clutter in your home. Here’s how I use it. Tackle Your Own Spaces First If you want to form new no-clutter habits, it’s usually easiest to begin by dealing with your own possessions in spaces you don’t share with all family members. Personally, I live with some wonderful but messy people, so if you’re in the same situation, I recommend you start with your bedroom and bathroom. Duhigg says there’s no precise time frame for how long it takes to form a new habit, but other researchers report it takes 21 to 66 days or even longer. Personally, I needed 21 to 45 days of the habit loop to form a new habit, depending on what the routine was. After that, the behavior became automatic. 1. Make your bed. No matter how messy the bedroom is, a made bed makes it neater. To create a cue for making the bed, pick something you do without fail every day, such as turning off your alarm. It’s best to do the new behavior as soon as possible after the reminder. (I sometimes get distracted if I don’t make my bed right after my cue, and then the bed might remain unmade all day.) After you make the bed — or, for that matter, after you do any new task you’re trying to make habitual — be sure to reward yourself. Your reward can be as simple as a silent “Good job!” you tell yourself or as ritualistic as brewing your morning cup of coffee and then enjoying sipping it. Just remember to give yourself a compliment or perk for working toward your tidy-house goal. 2. Clear your bathroom counters. Brushing my teeth has become the cue I use to trigger my habit of clearing my bathroom counters both morning and night. Each morning after I brush, I put away my makeup, hair products, blow dryer and toothpaste. Then I wipe off the water that has collected on the countertops. I repeat the routine at night, putting away my lotion and other nighttime beauty products. Then I congratulate myself on a job well done. Though I didn’t get it right the first few days, within 21 days I knew I’d managed to develop this habit when I automatically began clearing the counters after brushing. For me, coming home to a clean bathroom is the greatest reward! 3. Put away your attire after wearing it. On most days I wear two different outfits, one for work and one for exercise. If I’m not paying attention to where I put my things, a mess can quickly build up. So I decided that removing my clothes would be the cue to place dirty clothes in the hamper and those I’ll wear again neatly in the closet. If you share a closet with a partner who doesn’t want to participate in this routine, you have a couple of options: You can put your partner’s clothes away or leave them out, knowing that at least half the mess is put away. Since nagging or brooding rarely changes other people’s habits, it might be better to give yourself a reward for cleaning up your own mess and move on. Tackle Common Rooms Next As you move into the common areas of your home, prepare for potential barriers to establishing tidy habits since you may be dealing with other family members’ messes. While this can be frustrating, if family members aren’t cooperative I recommend simply focusing on clearing your own mess. Hopefully, your new habits will eventually rub off on your family. If not, well, your home will still be less cluttered than it was before your new habits. 4. Unbury coffee and end tables. Your cue for clearing the tables in your living room could be turning off the television or putting down the book you were reading. Remove cups, glasses and bowls from the room’s flat surfaces and place them in the dishwasher. Put magazines back in their rack or recycle those you’ve finished reading. Place remote controls in a basket next to the television. Put away books and papers and anything else left cluttering the room. Then congratulate yourself. Your living room will look great in the morning when you start your day. 5. Clear the kitchen counters. Mail, school papers, ear buds, cellphones, vitamins, dog treats, receipts, tissue boxes, keys and more can litter kitchen countertops, making food prep difficult. Plus, this type of miscellaneous debris makes the kitchen look messy and disorganized even if cooking surfaces are cleared. My personal cue for clearing my countertops each night is closing my dishwasher door after I load it. I then scan all the miscellany on the counters and quickly sort and put everything in its place. This may take me an extra 10 minutes, but by doing it each evening I find it is easier to keep the counters clear during the day. I then reward myself with a small piece of chocolate since this habit is much harder to implement than others! My other reward is coming downstairs in the morning to a clean kitchen. 6. Tidy your front hall. I walk through my front hallway on the way to bed and use the walk as my cue to tidy up the space. We have a hall closet where I can store shoes and coats, and each family member has a basket in the closet for personal items. If you don’t have a front hall closet, you might consider storing catchall baskets under a decorative table. I tell myself, “Great job!” before I head off to bed. It’s wonderful having a clutter-free front hall, especially when unexpected visitors stop by. Develop New Habits on What You Bring Into Your Home 7. Manage your mail. Mail is a major source of clutter in many homes. To cut down on the volume, you might want to receive bills and magazines electronically. There are also tools available for unsubscribing from catalogs and unsolicited credit card offers; visit DMAchoice.org or Catalogchoice.org for more information. Even with these steps, mail still has a way of piling up and causing a mess. One relatively easy habit to develop is sorting your mail before you enter the house. I collect my mail from the mailbox and walk directly to my recycling bin, where I immediately place advertising circulars. I then open unfamiliar envelopes (which usually are ads) and toss them in the bin. Since I receive most of my statements electronically, I’m left with very little to bring inside. Remaining items go into an inbox for incoming mail. I then give myself a pat on the back for preventing clutter from entering my house. 8. Be intentional with your purchases. Another habit to consider implementing is being mindful of your purchases. I’ve developed the habit of thinking seriously about the clutter factor of every purchase before buying. As I reach for my credit card, I am reminded to stop and consider whether I already own something that will suffice. I also think about where I’m going to store the item or what I’ll get rid of to make room for the new purchase. For example, when I’m considering a new pair of pants, I ask myself what I have in my closet that might be similar. If I already have too many similar items and don’t want to part with any I already own, I skip the new purchase. I use a similar approach when considering household and kitchen items. My purchases are always intentional because I’m working hard to live in a clutter-free home. I deserve a big pat on the back for working on this habit. I’m not only reducing clutter but I’m also leaving more money in my bank account at the end of the month to spend on things I truly want or need.