How much do you lose selling a house as is?

Selling a house as is typically means accepting 10%–40% less than a comparable move-in-ready home would fetch — most as-is sellers land in the 10%–20% range, with the steepest discounts reserved for homes needing major repairs. On a home that would be worth $500,000 updated, that’s roughly $50,000–$100,000 left on the table. The exact number depends on your home’s condition, your market, and who’s buying — below is how the discount works, when it’s worth taking, and how to shrink it.

Selling “as is” means putting your home on the market in its current condition, flaws and all — appealing if you want to skip the cost and hassle of repairs. But the convenience has a price.

What does "selling as is" mean FOR YOU?

When you sell a house as is, you're essentially telling buyers, "What you see is what you get" and it's a great option for those who need to sell property fast.

This can mean:

• No repairs or improvements: You're not investing time or money to fix issues like leaky roofs, outdated kitchens, or peeling paint.

• Disclosing known issues: You're still legally required to disclose major problems in NY, like structural damage, mold or even legal battles as is in most states.

• Appealing to specific buyers: Typically, investors, flippers, or people who don't mind a fixer-upper will be most interested.

How much do you lose selling a house as is?

The amount you lose depends on several factors, including the market, the condition of your home, and how quickly you need to sell property fast.

The truth is that 71% of home sellers in the US complete at least one improvement project before selling their home. Also, 77% say they don't consider buying a house that isn't move-in ready.

So, how much do you lose selling a house as is?

Here is the honest answer, by condition:

• Cosmetic flaws only (paint, carpet, dated fixtures): expect roughly 0–10% below a move-in-ready comp — in a hot market, sometimes nothing at all.

• Dated but livable (old kitchen or baths, worn systems): typically 10–20% below.

• Major repairs needed (roof, foundation, plumbing, mold): 20–40% below — and this is where the losses compound.

• Selling directly to a cash investor or “we buy houses” company: often 30–50% below market, regardless of condition — their business model requires the margin.

The market matters too. In a seller's market, buyer competition compresses the as-is discount; in a buyer's market it widens. And in dollars, on a New York-area home: a house worth $500,000 updated might bring $450,000–$475,000 as is with only cosmetic issues — but $300,000–$350,000 if it needs major work or goes straight to an investor. Seeing as some remodeling projects can increase the resale value from 150% to 198%, let's see an example.

Part of the discount is repairs the buyer prices in — usually at a premium, since investors discount deeper than the actual repair bill to protect their margin. And part is upside you never capture: some projects return more than they cost at resale. Recent remodeling-impact data puts garage door replacement at roughly 194% cost retention, entry door replacement near 188%, and stone veneer around 153% — money that, as an as-is seller, you leave for the flipper.

That’s the honest frame: selling as is doesn’t just subtract the repair bill from your price — it hands the buyer both the repair discount and the renovation upside.

What are some other drawbacks of selling the home as is?

• Fewer offers: Since as-is homes often attract a smaller pool of buyers, you might not get the bidding wars that drive up prices.

• Negotiation power: Buyers might push for further price reductions once they discover the full extent of the repairs needed.

Despite these losses, selling as is can still make sense for certain homeowners. Let's explore the pros to help you decide if it's the right choice for you.

See also: Cheap and luxury home renovations to increase its value

Pros of selling a house as is

1. Save time

   • If you're in a hurry to sell—say, due to relocation, financial strain, or inheritance—selling as is can be a quick solution. You avoid the weeks (or months) it takes to complete repairs.

2. Avoid repair costs

   • Major repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Selling as is lets you sidestep those expenses and put the burden on the buyer instead.

3. Reduce stress

   • Managing contractors, timelines, and unexpected repair surprises can and will be exhausting for most. Selling as is eliminates that hassle entirely.

4. Attract cash buyers

   • Many as-is sales appeal to cash buyers like investors or house-flipping companies. These buyers often close deals faster and with fewer contingencies

5. Flexibility

   • Selling as is can attract certain buyers who appreciate the opportunity to customize the home to their liking. This is especially true in areas where homes are in high demand and buyers are willing to put in extra work for a property in a good location. For some people, these benefits outweigh the financial hit. If you're prioritizing convenience over profit, this route can make a lot of sense.

Tips to minimize losses when selling as is

If you've decided to sell as is, here are a few strategies to reduce financial losses:

1. Be upfront

   • Disclose everything about the home's condition. Transparency builds trust.

2. Price it right

   • Don't overprice the home. Work with an appraiser or do a market analysis to set a realistic price. There are many real estate comps that impact the price.

3. Highlight the positives

   • Emphasize what's great about your home, like location, lot size, or unique features. Make sure buyers can visualize the potential.

4. Disclose honestly

   • Being upfront about known issues builds trust with buyers and can prevent last-minute deal fallout.

5. Consider selling a house without a realtor or this other option

   • If you're confident in handling the sale yourself, skipping a realtor can save you 5% to 6% in commissions. However, this requires time and knowledge to manage the process effectively. There's another option as well, which includes using an all-in-one platform like locqube where you can manage most things yourself and ask for a real estate agent when/if you decide you need one.

6. Market to the right audience

   • Focus on buyers who actively seek as-is properties, such as investors or first-time buyers looking for a deal.

7. Clean it up

   • Even if you're not making repairs, a clean, clutter-free home will attract more buyers. Even lighting can impact the home sale.

8. Invest in an inspection

   • While you're selling "as is," offering a pre-listing inspection report which ranges around $300-$400 can reassure buyers that there are no hidden surprises. This can make your home more appealing and help justify your asking price. And (more importantly) it can help you avoid losing a deal or getting sued if you fail to disclose a serious home defect.

When selling your home as is makes sense

Selling as is might be the best option if:

• You need to sell property fast due to financial or personal reasons.

• The cost of repairs outweighs the potential increase in sale price (repeat after me: not all repairs bring as much value as you think!)

• You're targeting investors or flippers who specialize in fixer-uppers.

Bottom line

So, how much do you lose selling a house as is? It’s often a trade-off between time and money. While you might lose from 10% to 40% of your home’s value, you gain convenience, speed, and peace of mind.

For homeowners who can’t afford repairs or simply want as little stress as possible selling as is can be the way to go.

In the end, every situation is unique. Think about your goals, do the math, and choose the path that makes the most sense for you.

Who you sell to matters more than condition

Here is the part most articles skip: two sellers with identical houses can lose very different amounts, because the loss depends on who is bidding.

• Direct to an investor: one buyer, no competition, a price built around their profit margin. Fast — and the most expensive convenience in real estate.

• As is on the open market: your home on the MLS and the major portals, where regular buyers, renovators and investors bid against each other. The as-is discount still exists — but competition keeps it honest.

You do not need an expensive listing agreement to get that exposure. locqube lists as-is homes on the MLS for a flat $899 (Self-Serve), or with a dedicated agent for 1.99% at closing (Signature) — either way, your as-is sale happens in front of the whole market, not one buyer's spreadsheet.

Questions sellers ask about as-is sales

Do you always lose money selling as is?
No. With only cosmetic issues in a competitive market, the discount can be minimal — occasionally zero. The big losses come from major-repair homes and from selling directly to investors without market exposure.

Is it worth fixing up a house before selling?
Selectively. Cheap, high-return fixes (paint, deep clean, minor repairs a buyer's inspector would flag) usually pay for themselves. Full renovations before selling rarely return their cost in time and stress — run the numbers first.

Who buys as-is homes?
Renovators, investors, flippers — and plenty of ordinary buyers priced out of turnkey homes who want to build equity with their own hands. The wider your exposure, the more of the second group you reach, and they pay more than the first.

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By Manuel Pantiga, licensed real estate broker (New York & Connecticut) and co-founder of locqube.