Selling a House ‘As Is’ in South Carolina

Fast facts about selling a house ‘as is’ in South Carolina

What is ‘as is’ condition in real estate?

An as-is home sale means the seller isn’t planning to make repairs or offer credits for issues the buyer might find. The buyer understands they’re purchasing the property in its current condition.

This type of sale often signals that things like an aging roof or a worn-out appliance may not be fully functional or have much life left. In this transaction, the seller should price the home with its condition in mind, based on what they know about the property.

Derry recommends pricing your home according to the after-repair value (ARV) rule, which is “the after-repair value minus all the updates and repairs that need to be made to the property.”

“Don’t think that just because you’re not doing any repairs, the property is worth more, because it’ll just sit on the market,” he adds.

Which types of homes are sold ‘as is’?

Homes sold “as is” often need some work or are cosmetically outdated. You won’t likely place this label on a listing in a pristine turnkey property.

“As is” sales often appeal to investors searching for their next flip or buyers seeking a bargain, perhaps on a home in a desirable location with considerable potential. 

What problems do you have to disclose in South Carolina?

Selling a house “as is” in South Carolina doesn’t mean sweeping known problems about the property under the rug.

You must complete the State of South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement to inform buyers of property issues. It’s ideal to do this before listing your home or requesting an offer, so you know it’s taken care of.

According to the document, South Carolina homeowners must provide buyers with a signed disclosure statement before entering into a real estate contract. This requirement applies to sales, exchanges, lease-to-own agreements, and installment land sales.

The form will walk you through documenting what you know about the property’s condition, systems, and potential risks, including:

• Water and sewage systems
• Condition of the structure and major systems (roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical)
• History of pest infestations
• Zoning rules, building codes, land-use restrictions, encroachments, or boundary issues
• Notices or actions from government agencies
• Hazardous materials (lead paint, asbestos, radon, storage tanks)
• Existing leases, rental agreements, or conservation charges

No matter how you sell your home, South Carolina law requires you to fill out a property disclosure to the best of your knowledge. However, there are exceptions, such as sales ordered by a court, transfers between family members or co-owners, the first sale of a new home, public auctions, and cases where both parties agree in writing to skip the disclosure.

Review your options to sell ‘as is’ in South Carolina

The main options to sell a house “as is” include:

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

An experienced South Carolina real estate agent will assist in listing and selling a home “as is.” They provide helpful presentation tips, enhance your home’s marketing, set an appropriate price that reflects the property’s condition, and find a buyer willing and eager to buy your home in its current state.

Sell directly to a cash buyer

Someone selling a house “as is” in South Carolina might choose to work directly with a property investor or house-buying company instead of listing it on the market. This can be a good option if the home needs major repairs and may not appeal to traditional buyers. These companies usually buy at a discount but offer quick closings and often cover the seller’s closing costs.

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 always matters, but even more so when selling a property “as is” in South Carolina. It’s important to find the right match. You’re looking for an agent who isn’t afraid of listings that need a little TLC and may have a strong investor network.

Consider a pre-listing inspection

A pre-listing home inspection is just like a regular home inspection, but the seller pays for it before putting the property on the market. While it may seem unnecessary for an as-is sale, it can be a smart move. Knowing about potential issues ahead of time can help you price the home more accurately. And if a buyer asks for a discount after their own inspection, you can explain that the cost of those repairs was already factored into the list price.

“A pre-listing inspection is very beneficial because all the issues are known. If you do get the property under contract, and then the report comes back with a bunch of issues the buyer wasn’t aware of, then that’s going to save you time,” says Derry.

Price to reflect ‘as is’ condition

The median sale price for homes in South Carolina hit $340,000 in 2025, a +1.5% increase over the year prior. That number includes homes in all kinds of condition, so an as-is property typically needs a price that reflects the work it may need. One easy way to establish a starting point for your home’s current worth is to get a free estimate from HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator (HVE).

Our HVE combs public data, including tax records and assessments, and pulls recent sales records for other properties in your South Carolina neighborhood. Using your answers to a short questionnaire, we also factor in specifics about your home, such as the property type and its condition. Put in your address, and we’ll provide you with a preliminary home value estimate in under two minutes.

“Make sure that your home is priced accordingly, because if you’re not offering to do repairs or updates, then it needs to match the amount of work the home needs,” Derry says.

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Do ever-so-light preparations

Even when selling as is, small, simple touch-ups can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home. Focus on easy fixes like decluttering, deep cleaning, and tidying up the yard. These minor efforts don’t turn your house into a renovation project, but they can help it feel well-cared-for and inviting. The goal is to make your home presentable without taking on major repairs or renovations.

Photograph to show potential

No matter the condition of your South Carolina home, professional photography is always worth it. A skilled photographer knows how to capture each room from the right angle, use the best lighting, and edit the images to highlight your home’s features.

Using a high-quality camera and a wide-angle lens helps show full rooms, not just partial views, making your space look its best. Homes with professional photos often sell for significantly more, as buyers are able to envision themselves living in the space.

In most cases, your South Carolina real estate agent will coordinate professional photography as part of the listing process.

Highlight the surrounding area

A home’s location will be important to buyers seeking out a home with potential. Mention in your as-is listing if your South Carolina home is close to any of the following:

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

Include ‘as is’ in the listing

Unless you explicitly mention that your house is being sold “as is,” buyers will have no idea of your intentions with the listing. Other common descriptors mentioned in as-is listings in South Carolina include priced to sell, fixer-upper, handyman special, or a “call for investors.”

When selling “as is,” it’s important to work with your agent to create a property description that highlights the home’s best features and selling points.

Understand that buyers may still negotiate

Selling a house “as is” in South Carolina doesn’t mean buyers won’t try to negotiate a lower price, even if you’ve already priced it to reflect its condition. One of your best protections is working with an agent who knows how to hold firm during negotiations and keep the deal on track.

Be aware of the minimum property standards for certain loans

When you place your South Carolina home on the market, it’s hard to predict if your top offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan. But if you do end up working with a financed buyer, know that different mortgage types (such as conventional loans or government-backed FHA, USDA, or VA loans) have varying minimum property standards.

These are standards related to the overall condition of a property, which will play a role in the willingness and ability of a lender to finance a buyer’s loan. Before financing can move forward, the buyer’s mortgage company typically hires a state-licensed independent appraiser to assess the property’s value and condition.

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

Prioritize a cash offer if you receive one

In some cases, conventional lenders will finance a fixer-upper sold “as is,” and it’s even possible to use an FHA loan for one. But if your home needs major repairs, and you receive a cash offer, it’s worth serious consideration. Cash sales don’t require a lender’s appraisal and usually close faster, offering a simpler, more predictable path to closing.

Steps to sell directly to a cash buyer

Now that we’ve covered the general process of listing a home “as is” in South Carolina, let’s look at an alternative: working with an investor. While each company operates a little differently, the general process of selling your home to a house-buying company usually includes these steps:

1. Decision: A homeowner decides a traditional listing isn’t for them. Perhaps their house needs a lot of work, or they want to skip showings or open houses. They’re concerned about finding a buyer willing to purchase their home in its current state.
2. Contact: A seller contacts a company that buys South Carolina homes and provides some basic information about their property.
3. Preliminary offer: At this stage, some South Carolina house-buying companies will provide a preliminary offer that is subject to change after a house assessment.
4. Assessment: The company schedules a walkthrough of the property to evaluate its condition, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
5. Firm offer: The company makes a firm offer (usually within 24 hours, sometimes on-site after the walkthrough), which you can accept or decline. Most of these companies will not negotiate on price, so the offer is a take-it-or-leave-it situation.
6. Closing: If you accept the offer, you and the company will each sign the contract, and closing will begin. Some South Carolina 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 partner with a house-buying company often enjoy flexibility in choosing a move-out date that works for them.

If you aren’t sure where to get a cash offer, consider Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight. Tell us a bit about your South Carolina 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. Here are some benefits you can expect from Simple Sale:

• Skip repairs: There’s no need to call the roof inspector or drain your savings to replace the HVAC. HomeLight will provide an offer for South Carolina homes in almost any condition.

• Sell when it’s convenient: Want to move right away? Or need a little more time to pack? Either way, we’re flexible. Pick a move date that works for your schedule within 30 days of closing.
• Close with certainty: Cash buyers don’t need a lender’s involvement to purchase a home, meaning they can move nimbly and quickly compared to someone who needs financing. With Simple Sale, you can close in as little as 7 days, compared to the 30 to 60 days or longer it typically takes to close with a financed buyer.

Curious to know more about the Simple Sale experience? Hear it firsthand from one of our valued clients in the video below.

Additional We Buy Houses companies in South Carolina

Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the leading companies that purchase homes “as is” for cash in South Carolina:

How much will you make from an as-is home sale?

There is no simple equation for calculating how much you’ll make from an “as is” sale in South Carolina. If you list with an agent, your profit will need to account for Realtor fees. Working with a professional, however, can help attract higher offers and increase competition. You’ll also need to consider closing costs, including title fees and taxes.

“Typically, an as-is sale is going to always sell for less than a home that’s in move-in-ready condition because it needs work, but people don’t seem to be afraid to buy a house in as-is condition because sometimes there can be value in being able to put their own finishes or touches to a property,” says Derry.

Meanwhile, if you sell for cash, different types of investors and house-buying companies offer varying amounts for homes, largely dependent on their exit strategy. While South Carolina fix ‘n’ flip investors usually pay around 70% of the home’s after-repair value, buy-and-hold investors who plan to rent out your property may be able to pay more. Investors are often willing to pay a seller’s closing costs, which can add up to around 1% to 3% of the sale price.

HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator can help run through some possible selling scenarios and estimate your take-home pay.

Ready to sell your house in South Carolina?

While every home sale is unique, you should now be familiar with the basic process of selling a house “as is” in South Carolina. Now, you can begin to consider which method will work best for your situation. 

Whether you choose to list “as is” with a real estate agent or work with a direct home buyer, a home doesn’t have to be in move-in ready condition to sell — so long as you provide disclosures as necessary, set the right price, and know what to expect from the start. 

Whenever you’re ready to take the next step, HomeLight is happy to help you with your real estate needs. Connect with a top agent near you or get started with a cash offer from Simple Sale.

Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr/ Unsplash)