Let’s face it—owning a home in Los Angeles isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s exhausting, especially if the house is older, needs work, or has become more of a burden than a blessing. If you’re thinking about selling your house as-is—without making repairs or dealing with inspections—you’re not alone.
We talk to homeowners every day in LA who are overwhelmed and just want a clean break. Whether you’re facing a costly foundation issue, have inherited a fixer-upper, or are just done dealing with tenants—there’s a way out.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to sell a house as-is in Los Angeles, based on our decade of experience helping families through this process.
🧱 First Off—What Does “As-Is” Actually Mean?
Selling a house “as-is” means you’re selling the property in its current condition—good, bad, or somewhere in between. You’re letting buyers know upfront that you won’t be fixing that leaky faucet, repainting walls, or replacing that outdated water heater.
But—and this is important—you still need to follow California’s disclosure laws. That means that you’ll still have to tell buyers about any known issues with the house. So yes, you can sell it without lifting a hammer—but you do need to be honest about what you know to be wrong with the property.
🤔 Why Would Someone Sell a House As-Is?
You might be wondering, “Why would someone want to sell as-is?” The answer? Because life happens.
We talk to homeowners every day that want to sell their house as is. Here are some of the most reasons that we hear from homeowners:
- The house needs more repairs than they can afford
- They inherited a property and don’t want to fix it up
- They’re behind on payments and facing foreclosure
- They’re relocating suddenly and need to sell fast
- They’re just burned out on being a landlord or homeowner
Take the case of Joe in North Hollywood. His parents passed away and left him a home that hadn’t been touched since 1984. The house had avocado green countertops, shaggy carpeting, and a roof that looked like it had survived a hurricane. Joe had no desire to renovate—he had his own job and family to worry about. Plus, the house was more than an hour away from where he lived in Ventura County. So he sold it to Mrs. Property Solutions as-is, so that he could skip the repairs and still get a fair price for the house. He was able to use that money to help pay for his kids’ college fund.
🏙️ How Selling As-Is Works in the LA Market
Los Angeles is full of real estate opportunities, but not every buyer is looking for a turn-key home. In fact, LA is one of the hottest markets for fix-and-flip investors, developers, and cash buyers looking for diamonds in the rough.
That’s great news if you’re considering selling as-is. But it also means that you should be prepared to deal with:
- Traditional homebuyers who may shy away from major fixer-uppers
- Most buyers will expect a discount for any needed repairs
- If the house is in bad shape, lenders usually will not approve a mortgage—which limits you to cash buyers and investors
We helped Denise in Boyle Heights sell her duplex after one of the units was badly damaged in a fire. No bank would finance it, but we made her a fair cash offer and closed in 12 days. No cleanup, no delays—just an easy transaction to get rid of her property. Since she was still paying for the mortgage even though she could no longer live there, the speed of the transaction was really important to her. It was a true win-win deal!
🛠️ What Repairs Can You Skip?
Here’s what you don’t have to fix when selling as-is:
- Foundation cracks
- Mold or water damage
- Termite problems
- Broken HVAC
- Outdated kitchens or bathrooms
- Junk or furniture left behind
- ….or anything else!
As-is means you’re passing over the house exactly the way it is, whether it’s clean or cluttered, pristine or patched up. That said, if the home is completely unsafe or uninhabitable, buyers are definitely going to factor that into the offer price— and in all honestly you’ll probably get fewer offers in general.
💵 Pricing Your Home As-Is (Without Underselling It)
One of the trickiest parts of selling as-is is figuring out the right price. If you price it too high, it’ll sit on the market. But you also don’t want to go too low and leave money on the table.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how you can price it right:
- Find nearby comps—look at homes that sold recently and were also in poor or original condition. You can you a site like Zillow, just make sure you are looking houses that already sold in the last 90 days, not ones that are still sitting on the market.
- Estimate needed repairs—many investors will deduct these costs from their offer. To get an accurate estimation, you should hire a remodeling company to get an idea of the scope of work that is needed to bring the property up to current market standards
- Consider time and convenience—an all-cash, as-is buyer may offer a bit less, but not only will you avoid the cost of the work done to the property, you’ll also avoid agent fees, showings, and holding costs. Not to mention all the extra time spent.
Remember, selling as-is isn’t about “giving your house away.” It’s about making a smart trade-off: less hassle, less time, less expense.
✅ 3 Simple Steps to Selling As-Is in Los Angeles
1. Pick Your Sale Method
Decide which way makes the most sense for your family. Your options are to either:
- List with a real estate agent (expect repairs and showings)
- Sell For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
- Sell to a local cash buyer (fastest option)
2. Show the Property (or Don’t!)
If you’re listing, you’ll need to prepare for showings. But if you’re selling to a professional buyer like Mrs. Property Solutions, you don’t even have to clean up—we’ve bought homes with full garages, stained carpets, and everything in between. There are even some instances when we’ve bought houses without going inside first!
4. Review Your Offers
Don’t just look at the number—also consider:
- Timeline
- Buyer’s experience
- Whether they’re using financing
All of these factors will determine how smooth of a closing you’ll have. For example, when Dominic came to us to sell his house, he had already listed the house with a realtor for more than 4 months and was not having any luck making it to the finish line. After 2 escrows that fell through, he came to us hopeless. However, we were able to make him an offer that same day and had closed when within 2 and a half weeks of that first conversation. Experience matters. Especially in a market that is starting to favor buyers.
5. Close the Sale & Get Paid
A traditional sale can take 30-60 days. With a cash buyer, it can happen in as little as 7 days—with no agents, no commissions, and no waiting.
❓Some Frequently Asked Questions About Selling A House As-Is
🔹 Is it hard to sell a house as-is?
It can be—if you’re trying to sell it the traditional way. Many buyers looking on the MLS expect a home to be move-in ready, so a house that needs work might sit longer or attract lower offers.
But when you connect with the right buyer—like a real estate investor or cash home buyer—it becomes much easier. These buyers expect to do repairs and typically don’t need loans, which means you skip inspections, appraisals, and delays. So the process is much smoother when you’re working with someone experienced in buying as-is.
🔹 Is it better to fix up a house or sell as-is?
It depends on your situation. If you have the time, money, and energy to renovate—and you’re not in a rush—fixing up your home could bring in a higher sale price. But we often talk to homeowners who:
- Don’t have the funds to make major repairs
- Need to move quickly
- Inherited a property and don’t want the stress
- Are facing foreclosure or other urgent situations
In those cases, selling as-is can actually be the better choice because you save time, avoid upfront costs, and eliminate uncertainty. It really comes down to your priorities: top dollar or less hassle?
🔹 What are the pros and cons of selling as-is?
Pros:
- No repair costs
- No delays for inspections or appraisals
- A faster closing (especially with a cash buyer)
- Less stress and fewer moving parts
- Good solution for inherited, vacant, or distressed properties
Cons:
- You’re likely to get lower offers
- There will be a smaller pool of buyers
- Still need to disclose known issues
- Some buyers may use the condition to negotiate further
The key is selling to someone who will provide a smooth and hassle-free transaction while still giving you a fair price based on the property’s condition, so you walk away feeling good about the deal.
🔹 Does selling a house as-is decrease value?
Usually, yes—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When you sell as-is, buyers will factor the cost of repairs, cleanup, and risk into their offer. So yes, you may get less than you would for a fully renovated home—but you’re also saving money on:
- Repairs
- Realtor commissions
- Holding costs (like mortgage payments, taxes, and insurance while it sits on the market)
In many cases, the net result can be surprisingly close—especially when you consider the speed and simplicity of an as-is sale.
🔹 Can I really sell my house without making any repairs?
Yes! When you sell a house as-is, you’re letting buyers know upfront that you won’t be making repairs or upgrades. Just be aware that while you don’t have to fix anything, California law still requires you to disclose known problems—like plumbing issues, roof leaks, or foundation cracks. Being honest protects you from legal trouble later.
🔹 Will I still need to clean out the house?
That depends on who you sell to. If you’re listing on the MLS, buyers may expect the house to be cleared out before closing. But if you sell to a cash buyer like Mrs. Property Solutions, you don’t need to lift a finger. We’ve bought houses full of furniture, junk, or even personal items—and we handle all the clean-out after closing.
🔹 How fast can I sell my house as-is?
If you’re selling through a real estate agent, it might take 30–60 days (or more), depending on the market and condition of the home. But if you’re selling to a professional homebuyer or investor, you can close in as little as 7–14 days—no waiting on inspections, repairs, or mortgage approvals.
🔹 Will I still have to pay real estate commissions?
If you sell your house the traditional way with a listing agent, yes—you’ll typically pay around 5–6% of the sale price in commission fees. However, if you sell directly to a cash buyer (like Mrs. Property Solutions), there are no commissions, no fees, and no closing costs. What we offer is what you take home.
🔹 Can I sell a house as-is if it’s inherited?
Absolutely. In fact, inherited homes are some of the most common as-is sales we see in Los Angeles. Many heirs don’t want to take on the work of cleaning, updating, or listing a property that’s been sitting for years. We often help families sell inherited homes quickly, without stress—even if they’re still going through probate.
🔹 What types of homes qualify for an as-is sale?
We’ve seen it all—from homes with fire damage and squatters to ones stuck in legal limbo. Here are a few examples of homes that make great candidates for as-is sales:
- Vacant properties
- Homes with extensive repairs needed
- Hoarder houses
- Inherited or probate properties
- Rentals with bad tenants
- Homes facing foreclosure
If your house isn’t picture-perfect, it’s still very sellable—you just need the right buyer.
👋 Ready to Sell As-Is? Let’s Talk.
At Mrs. Property Solutions, we’ve built our entire business around helping people sell homes that aren’t perfect. Whether your house needs work, is full of stuff, or just feels like too much to deal with—we’re here to make it easy.
✅ No repairs
✅ No fees or commissions
✅ No cleaning
✅ No surprises
We’ll give you a fair, honest offer for your home exactly how it sits—and you decide if it’s right for you. No pressure, just solutions.
We’ve worked with homeowners all over LA who thought they were “stuck” with their property. Like Terry in Compton, whose long-time tenant trashed the place and left it unlivable. Or Ana in Glendale, who just needed to relocate quickly after a divorce and didn’t want to deal with repairs.
By the way… These findings about selling a house as is in Los Angeles are true for other areas in California too. Remember, we also buy houses in other parts of California, including Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno and Bakersfield.
Their situations were unique, but the solution was the same: sell the house as-is to someone who could handle the rest. That’s Mrs. Property Solutions! If you want to start the process of selling your house – or if you are just curious about what our offer is and want to find out with no obligations, then fill out our form to get started.