This might mean something as small as a wall needs to be rebuilt, or the house might need a new roof. But it could also mean that they house has a cracked foundation or is infested with mold.
Buying a house as-is is a great way to get a house at much lower then retail price. But make sure that you are capable of making the repairs.
You can use this idea in any house you want to buy. By finding things in the house that need to be fixed, you can offer to fix them yourself if the seller reduces the price of the house enough for you to get the items done.
Sellers usually will agree to avoid the hassle of hiring people to fix things, and to get the house sold quickly.
Sweat equity is the term referred to the amount the house goes up in value because you fixed it up yourself. Several handy man specials are available in every neighborhood, that anyone willing to, could buy cheap, fix up and raise the value of the property by thousands.
This is the way several contractors buy their own houses. Or even if you are handy with your hands. Find a house that needs repairs but is still livable. But it cheaper then normal, and move it. While you live there, you can start improving it. You save on the labor and on the price of the house.
When you are done, the house should have appreciated in value and you can sell for a very nice profit and do the whole thing over again.
Or if you want to stay in the house, you get the satisfaction of having the house fixed the way you want it. It does not make sense to pay full price for a house, and then knock out a wall to make a room bigger. With an as-is house, you can make whatever changes you want and know that you did not have to pay for them.
Even if the house is not a total mess, all houses have some items that are broken. Make sure to point out each and every item to the seller and ask him to either fix it or lower the price enough so you can fix it. This tactic alone will save you several hundred dollars.
According to the National Association of Realtors, most people move every 5-7 years. So that means that you too could be moving out of the house you are now buying in as little as 5-7 years.
Maybe you will grow out of the house, or you are forced to move because of your job/business, or you want to go to a different school zone.
If you think you might be moving, it is a good idea to consider an adjustable mortgage instead of a fixed rate mortgage.
The rate and payments will be lower in the beginning, and then move up and down depending on the market.
There are also fixed/adjustable loans that will remain fixed at a certain rate for several years, 1, 3, 5 or 7. And then start adjusting.
The rates and payments on these loans are lower than 30 year or 15 year fixed mortgages. So when you move, you will have paid a lower payment every month, and less interest.
Adjustable mortgages are easier to qualify for as well.
So let us say that you will or you think you will be moving in 5 years. You can get a mortgage that has a fixed rate for say 7 years and then adjusts every year after the seventh. That way you know that while you are living in the house, your payment will not increase. And you have a two year cushion incase you do not move in five years.
This payment will still be lower then a fixed mortgage payment. Plus since the payment is lower you will pay less in interest every month. Interest rates on adjustable rate mortgages are usually lower then fixed rate mortgages as well.
And like I said earlier, adjustable rate mortgages are easier to qualify for. This means that you can actually but a more expensive house with an adjustable rate mortgage than you could with a fixed rate mortgage and still have the same monthly payment.
Chances are you are going to move anyway, so why not get the best of both worlds? A loan that is cheaper then a fixed, but fixed for the length of time you need it. When you move, you will sell the house and pay off the loan anyway. A real win-win for you.
Save money every month on the payment, and get a bigger and better house. All without the worry of having your payments go up.
Ameen Kamadia has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Buyers Guide, Foreclosure Help and Home. Mr Kamadia, is a mortgage consultant, and real estate broker in Houston Texas. For the 69 other free articles on saving money when you buy a house visit Abby's