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GLOSSARY — REAL ESTATE TERMS

As-Is Sale

An as-is sale means the seller will not make repairs to the property before closing -- but in California, an as-is designation does not waive the seller's legal obligation to disclose known material defects.

What "as-is" does and doesn't mean

An as-is listing tells buyers the seller doesn't intend to complete repairs or make concessions based on inspection findings. It does not mean the seller is exempt from disclosure requirements -- California law still requires a completed Transfer Disclosure Statement and Natural Hazard Disclosure regardless of as-is terms, and any attempted waiver of those disclosures is void as against public policy. See the full breakdown on the California disclosures page.

Buying an as-is home

Buyers can and should still complete a full inspection contingency on an as-is property -- the designation affects whether the seller will negotiate on findings, not whether the buyer has the right to investigate or cancel based on what's found.

Where as-is sales come up most often

As-is terms are especially common in probate and trust sales, where the estate or heirs may have limited knowledge of the property's condition and are unwilling to negotiate repairs -- disclosure obligations around known, discoverable defects still apply even in these situations.

WHAT TO DO WHEN BUYING AS-IS
  • Complete a full inspection even though the seller won't negotiate repairs
  • Request all required disclosures regardless of the as-is label
  • Budget separately for repairs you'll take on after closing
  • Ask directly why the property is being sold as-is
RELATED TERMS
Transfer Disclosure StatementInspection ContingencyNatural Hazard DisclosureContingency Period
Does 'as-is' mean I can't back out after inspection?
No -- your inspection contingency rights are unaffected by an as-is listing. You can still cancel and recover your deposit if inspection findings concern you, within the active contingency period.
Can a seller hide known defects in an as-is sale?
No -- California's disclosure laws require sellers to disclose known material defects regardless of as-is terms, and any waiver of that obligation is legally void.
Are as-is homes usually cheaper?
Not necessarily by default, but they're often priced to reflect the seller's unwillingness to negotiate repairs, and can present an opportunity if a buyer is comfortable handling repairs themselves.