Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Dallas

Interested in selling a house “as is” in Dallas, Texas? Whether you’re dealing with a fixer-upper or an inherited property, the goal is often the same: avoid repairs, secure a reasonable offer, and move forward without added stress.

“It’s usually people who have inherited a house, and they don’t want to deal with making repairs on the property, or it could also be homeowners who just don’t want the headache of making repairs before they move out,” says Megan Bennett, a top-performing Dallas real estate agent.

That said, selling “as is” usually comes with tradeoffs. Offers are often lower, and buyers may still try to negotiate after inspections. Below, we’ll break down what selling a house “as is” in Dallas really involves, the different ways to get an offer, and what you can expect along the way.

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Fast facts about selling a house ‘as is’ in Dallas

What is ‘as is’ condition in real estate?

In real estate, an as-is sale means the seller does not plan to make repairs or improvements before closing. Buyers are expected to accept the home in its current condition, and the seller typically won’t agree to repair requests or offer credits for fixes.

This can also signal that certain systems or features — like an aging roof or older appliances — may not have a guaranteed lifespan. In most cases, the home’s condition is reflected in the asking price based on what the seller knows at the time of listing.

Which types of homes are sold ‘as is’?

Homes listed “as is” usually need repairs or updates and aren’t move-in ready. This label is commonly used for properties with deferred maintenance, outdated interiors, or other issues that a seller doesn’t want to address.

“Most of the time, you have to make repairs that are very costly, and sometimes homeowners don’t have the money in their bank account either to make the repairs,” says Bennett.

These listings often attract investors looking for their next project or buyers hoping to purchase a home with potential at a lower price, especially in sought-after Dallas neighborhoods.

What problems do you have to disclose in Texas?

Selling a house “as is” in Dallas doesn’t mean hiding or ignoring known issues with the property.

It’s a good idea to complete the Seller’s Disclosure Notice before listing your home or requesting offers. Taking care of this early helps set clear expectations, keeps the process transparent, and can prevent surprises later in the transaction.

According to the document, the notice reflects the seller’s knowledge of the property’s condition at the time it is signed and does not replace any inspections or warranties a buyer may choose to pursue. It also clarifies that the disclosure is not a warranty provided by the seller or their agents.

The form will walk you through documenting what you know about:

• Condition of structural components (roof, foundation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors)
• Whether smoke detectors are installed and compliant
• Known defects or issues with electrical, plumbing, septic, or sewer systems
• Active termites, prior termite damage, or previous treatment
• Water damage, improper drainage, or soil movement
• Hazardous materials such as asbestos, radon, lead-based paint, aluminum wiring, or toxic waste
• Previous fires or use of the property for methamphetamine manufacture
• Flood history, FEMA/SBA assistance, flood insurance status, and whether the property lies in a floodplain, floodway, or flood pool
• Room additions or repairs done without permits
• HOA fees or common-area ownership
• Notices of violations, lawsuits, or conditions affecting health or safety
• Whether the property is in a groundwater conservation or subsidence district

No matter how you choose to sell your home, Texas law generally requires sellers to complete a Seller’s Disclosure Notice based on their best knowledge at the time it’s signed. That said, the disclosure requirement does not apply to sales made through court orders or foreclosure, transfers by a bankruptcy trustee, and sales handled by a fiduciary during the administration of an estate, trust, or guardianship, among other specific situations.

Review your options to sell ‘as is’ in Dallas

The main options to sell a house ‘as is’ include:

List ‘as is’ with the help of a real estate agent

A strong real estate agent can guide you through listing and selling a home “as is” in Dallas. An agent can offer practical presentation tips to improve how the home shows online, help price it appropriately based on condition, and market it to buyers who are comfortable purchasing a property in its current state. In a market as varied as Dallas, that local insight can make a meaningful difference.

Sell directly to a cash buyer

Homeowners selling a house “as is” in Dallas can also work directly with a property investor or house-buying company instead of listing on the open market. This route can be appealing when the buyer pool is limited due to condition or needed repairs.

Many “We Buy Houses” companies purchase homes at a discounted price, focusing on properties that need substantial work. In exchange, sellers often benefit from a faster closing and fewer out-of-pocket costs, since many buyers cover closing expenses.

Steps to list ‘as is’ with the help of a real estate agent

Find an agent willing to list the home ‘as is’

Your choice of real estate agent is always important, but even more so when selling a house “as is.” You’re searching for an agent who isn’t afraid of listings that need a little TLC and preferably can access a strong network of investor connections.

Your agent should be ready to pay extra attention to marketing. Given that most Americans would prefer to purchase a move-in-ready home, an as-is sale already has a smaller buyer pool from the start.

Consider a pre-listing inspection

A pre-listing home inspection is paid for by the seller before the home goes on the market. While it may seem unnecessary for an as-is sale, it can be useful in Dallas where buyers often scrutinize older homes. Having inspection results upfront can clarify issues that affect value and support a realistic price. If a buyer later pushes for price reductions, you can show that known repair costs were already factored into the listing price.

“It can make the transaction go a lot smoother if the buyer knows what they’re getting into before they submit a contract. That’s a very good tactic if the buyer has an extra couple of hundred dollars to go ahead and take care of that before putting the house on the market,” Bennett explains.

Price to reflect ‘as is’ condition

The median sale price for homes in Dallas hit $349,900 in December 2025, a 4.0% decrease over the year prior.

Bennett says that agents typically rely on comparable sales from other homes that sold “as is” or in similar condition to help set realistic pricing expectations for sellers.

“We also have the ability to contact the title company and do a fee sheet so they know how much they’re going to roughly pay for taxes, title, and whatever else they have pending. Sometimes the houses have tax liens on them. So, we try to break that down as much as we can to help the seller know exactly what they’re going to net,” she adds.

Not sure where to start? HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator (HVE) can give you a quick ballpark figure.Our HVE combs public data, including tax records and assessments, and pulls recent sales records for other properties in your neighborhood. Using a short questionnaire, we also factor in specifics about your home, such as the property type and described condition. Input your address, and we’ll provide you with a preliminary home value estimate in under two minutes.

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Do ever-so-light preparations

Even for as-is home listings in Dallas, sellers can still benefit from completing the following:

• Freshen up the front door with a quick cleaning or coat of paint.
• Clear away yard clutter, debris, or personal items from the front area.
• Tidy the entryway so it feels open, welcoming, and cared for.
• Do a light interior clean to remove trash and excess belongings.
• Open blinds or curtains to let in natural light for photos and showings.

Photograph to show potential

Your listing benefits from professional photography no matter the home’s condition. An experienced photographer knows how to capture each room from flattering angles, balance interior and natural light, and edit images for clear brightness and exposure.

Using a wide-angle lens also helps show the full size and layout of each space. For these reasons, homes with professional photos often attract a significantly higher asking price per square foot than those marketed with casual images.

In most cases, your real estate agent will handle professional photography as part of the listing.

Highlight the surrounding area

A home’s location will be important to buyers seeking out a home with potential. Be sure your listing calls out nearby features or conveniences, such as:

• Downtown areas
• Major employers
• Parks and green spaces
• Sports venues and entertainment districts
• Waterfront views or access (river or a lake)
• Highly rated schools
• Access to outdoor activities
• Public transportation

Include ‘as is’ in the listing

You may be wondering whether you’re required to disclose that your home is being sold “as is.” Bennett offers some helpful context: “When I represent a buyer who is still purchasing a house ‘as is,’ I still have them get an inspection so they know the repairs they’re going to have to make. But a seller is not required to do any kind of documentation that says that they’re selling ‘as is.’”

However, if you don’t clearly state that your home is being sold “as is,” buyers may assume repairs or credits are still on the table. In Dallas, sellers often pair “as is” with language like priced to sell, fixer-upper, handyman special, or call for investors to set expectations upfront.

To keep the listing from feeling overly negative, work with your agent to highlight the home’s strengths — such as layout, lot size, location, or long-term potential — while still being transparent about condition.

Understand buyers may still negotiate

Selling “as is” doesn’t stop buyers from asking for price reductions, even if you’ve already factored condition into the list price. A skilled Dallas agent can help push back on unreasonable requests, reinforce the pricing logic, and keep negotiations from derailing the deal.

Be aware of minimum property standards for certain loans

When you put your home on the market, it’s hard to predict if your best offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan.

If you do end up working with a financed buyer, be aware that different mortgage types (such as conventional loans or government-backed FHA, USDA, or VA loans) have different minimum property standards. These standards, which address a property’s overall condition, can affect both a lender’s willingness and a buyer’s ability to secure financing.

Before a mortgage lender finances a property, a state-licensed, independent appraiser reviews the home’s value and condition on the lender’s behalf.

If you’re unsure whether your home will meet appraisal requirements, you can start by taking a look at the FHA minimum property standards. If your house complies with FHA, then it complies with most other lenders’ requirements.

Prioritize a cash offer if you receive one

On occasion, conventional lenders may even finance a fixer-upper property sold “as is,” and it’s not impossible to finance a fixer-upper with an FHA loan. However, if you’re selling a house “as is” — especially one that needs more repairs than most — you may want to consider accepting a cash offer if you receive one. Cash eliminates the lender-ordered appraisal as well as the time it takes to close on the buyer’s loan, creating a faster and clearer path to settlement.

Pros of listing a home ‘as is’ in Dallas: 

• Save time and money on prepwork
• Possibility of reducing negotiations from the inspection
• Solution for out-of-state owners and inherited homes

Cons of listing a home ‘as is’ in Dallas:

• Limited buyer pool
• Expect lower offers
• Negotiations and repairs aren’t always off the table

Steps to sell directly to a cash buyer

Now that we’ve walked through how listing a home “as is” works, let’s turn to the alternative of selling to an investor. While each company operates a little differently, the process of selling to a house-buying company usually follows a similar set of steps:

1. Decision: A homeowner decides a conventional listing isn’t for them. Perhaps their house needs a lot of work, or they want to skip hosting any showings or open houses. They’re concerned about finding a buyer willing to purchase their home “as is” in its current state.
2. Contact: A seller reaches out to a company that buys homes in their area and shares some basic information about their home.
3. Preliminary offer: At this stage, some house-buying companies will provide a preliminary offer that’s subject to change after a house evaluation.
4. Assessment: The company schedules a walkthrough of the property to assess its condition, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
5. Firm offer: The company extends a firm offer (usually within 24 hours, sometimes on-site after the walkthrough), which you can accept or decline. These companies will typically not negotiate on price, so the offer is take-it-or-leave-it.
6. Closing: If you accept the offer, you and the company will sign the contract, and closing will begin. Some companies offer a large deposit or moving cost assistance, and a few may even pay for the home upfront.
7. Payment: The seller receives payment quickly, typically within seven days to a few weeks. This can vary by company, and sellers who work with a house-buying company often enjoy flexibility in selecting a move-out date that works for them.

If you’re unsure where to get a cash offer, consider Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight. With Simple Sale, you tell us a bit about your home, such as whether it’s a single-family or condo, and how much work it needs. From there, we’ll provide you with a full cash offer to buy your home in as little as a week.

Skip repairs

There’s no need to schedule inspections or spend money fixing big-ticket items like a roof or HVAC system. With Simple Sale, HomeLight can make an offer on homes in nearly any condition.

Sell when it’s convenient

Whether you need to move quickly or want extra time to pack and plan, flexibility is built in. You can choose a move-out date that works for you within 30 days of closing.

Close with certainty

Cash buyers don’t rely on mortgage approvals, which helps avoid common delays. Through Simple Sale, you may be able to close in as little as 7 days — compared with 30 to 60 days or more for a financed sale.

Want to learn more about Simple Sale? Hear directly from one of our clients in the video below: