Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Washington, D.C.

Looking into selling a house “as is” in Washington, D.C.? You may have a fixer-upper or simply want to skip repairs, get a fair offer, and move on without too much hassle.

Mynor Herrera, a top-performing real estate agent who works with over 79% more single-family homes than the average local agent, notes that one of the most common reasons people sell a home “as is” is when they’ve inherited a property in another city.

“They’re likely to list it as-is because they don’t have local contacts, they’re not there to oversee any work, and they don’t want to bear any responsibility or burden of managing repairs or renovations,” he explains.

Keep in mind that selling a house “as is” usually means accepting a lower offer, and it doesn’t always prevent buyers from trying to negotiate savings. Let’s look closer at how to sell a house in Washington, D.C., your options for securing an offer, and what to expect from the process.

Fast facts about selling a house ‘as is’ in Washington, D.C.

What is ‘as is’ condition in real estate?

“As is” is a type of sale in which it’s understood that no repairs or upgrades will be made to the property. When selling a house “as is,” the seller chooses not to entertain buyers’ requests to complete repairs or offer a credit for fixes.

An as-is sale may also indicate that the functionality and longevity of certain aspects of the home, such as an old stove or an aging roof, are not guaranteed.

When selling “as is,” the home’s general condition should already be accounted for in the purchase price to the best of the seller’s knowledge.

“You’re unlikely to get market value — because if somebody has to put in their own sweat equity into fixing it up, they’re going to discount accordingly,” Herrera explains.

Which types of homes are sold ‘as is’?

Homes sold “as is” often need major repairs or cosmetic updates. It’s not a label you’re likely to put on a listing in move-in-ready condition.

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

“Homes being sold ‘as is’ are naturally a little harder to sell. Now you’re looking for a specific type of buyer — someone who not only has the money but also the vision, patience, and desire to take on repairs or renovations. That shrinks your buyer pool down to a much smaller group,” says Herrera.

What problems do you have to disclose in Washington, D.C.?

Selling a house “as is” in Washington, D.C. doesn’t mean you can ignore known problems about the property.

The best time to fill out the Washington, D.C. Seller’s Disclosure Statement is before listing your home or requesting an offer so that you know everything is in order.

According to the document, sellers must disclose any defects or information they actually know about the property at the time of signing.

The form will walk you through documenting what you know about structural conditions, operating conditions of property systems, appliances, and exterior issues.

You’ll need to fill out information about the following:

• Roof
• Fireplace/chimney
• Basement
• Walls and floors
• Insulation
• Windows
• Heating and air conditioning systems
• Plumbing and electrical
• Exterior drainage
• Damage to property
• Wood-destroying insects or rodents
• Environmental hazards
• Zoning violations

No matter what method you choose to sell your home, you must make these disclosures to the best of your ability. However, Washington, D.C. does allow certain exceptions for sellers who are involved in court-ordered transfers, foreclosures, transfers between close family members, transfers to or from a government entity, or sales of newly constructed homes that have never been lived in.

Review your options to sell ‘as is’ in Washington, D.C.

Here are a few of the main ways to sell a house “as is”:

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

A Washington, D.C. real estate agent can help you list and sell your home “as is.” An agent offers straightforward presentation tips to boost your home’s appeal, helps set a fair price that reflects its current condition, and works to connect you with a buyer ready and willing to purchase it “as is.”

Sell directly to a cash buyer

Someone needing to sell their Washington, D.C. home “as is” can also work directly with a property investor or house-buying company instead of listing, where it may be challenging to get an offer from a limited buyer pool.

We Buy Houses companies buy “as is” at a discounted rate and tend to seek out homes in need of extensive repairs. These companies can help sellers cash out quickly, and many will cover a 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 is always important, but even more so when selling “as is.” Finding the right match is everything. You’re looking for an agent who doesn’t shy away from listings that need a little TLC, and they should have a strong network of investor connections.

Your agent should also be willing to pay extra attention to marketing. Given that a majority of Americans say they would prefer to purchase a move-in-ready home, an as-is sale likely has a smaller buyer pool from the get-go.

Consider a pre-listing inspection

A pre-listing home inspection is similar to a regular inspection except that the seller pays for it before listing their home on the market. It may sound like a counterintuitive step for an as-is sale, but having the inspection results upfront can illuminate any issues that could impact the home’s value and inform an accurate pricing strategy. If a buyer requests further deductions to the price based on their own inspection, you can point to how the list price takes into account the estimated cost of certain repairs.

“I always tell sellers that buyers tend to overestimate the cost of any needed repairs by two to three times. As they’re walking through the house, they’re going to deduct those repair costs from the value accordingly,” says Herrera.

Price to reflect ‘as is’ condition

The median sale price for homes in Washington, D.C. hit $675,000 in July 2025, roughly the same as the year prior.

“We’re in a different market now than we were just a couple of months ago, between the furlough, the tariffs, and the interest rates,” says Herrera. “The market has changed substantially. So while the comps may substantiate a certain price, I would be cautious — more conservative — with my pricing.”

You can start with 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 homes in your neighborhood. Using a short questionnaire, we also factor in details about your home, such as the property type and its 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 Washington, D.C., Herrera typically recommends sellers complete the following:

• Upgrade kitchens and bathrooms: These areas offer the biggest return on investment for improvements.
• Address flooring issues: Repair or replace damaged flooring to improve appearance and functionality.
• Refresh paint: A fresh coat of paint can make spaces feel cleaner and more inviting.
• Boost exterior curb appeal: First impressions matter, so focus on landscaping, cleaning, and minor repairs.
• Declutter: Remove excess items so rooms look more spacious and appealing.
• Deep clean: Ensure the entire home is spotless to impress potential buyers.

Photograph to show potential

No matter your home’s condition, your listing deserves professional photography. A skilled photographer will capture each room from its most flattering angle, balance natural and interior lighting, and edit images for ideal brightness and exposure.

Using a high-quality camera with a wide-angle lens is key to showing the full scope of a room, rather than just part of it. Professionally photographed homes have been shown to command up to 47% more per square foot compared with those marketed without professional photos in Washington, D.C.

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

Highlight the surrounding area

For buyers eyeing a home with potential, location is key. When you list your Washington, D.C. home “as is,” be sure to mention if it’s close to any of the following:

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

Include ‘as is’ in the listing

Unless you explicitly say that you’re selling the house “as is,” buyers will have no idea of your intentions with the listing. Other common descriptors mentioned in as-is listings in Washington, D.C. 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.

However, not all agents agree on this approach. Some argue that labeling a home this way can actually create hesitation among buyers. As Herrera explains:

“If you have two houses that are equal, that are comparable, and they’re side-by-side — one is ‘as is’ and one isn’t — the ‘as is’ tends to carry a negative connotation. People go in a little more leery about what could be wrong with the home. So, I would tend to say: don’t necessarily label it ‘as is.’”

Understand buyers may still negotiate

Listing “as is” doesn’t guarantee that buyers won’t try to negotiate savings on their purchase, even if you feel that you’ve already set a price that reflects the home’s current condition. One of your best defenses is teaming up with an agent who knows how to hold firm during negotiations and keep the deal on track.

Be aware of minimum property standards for certain loans

When you place your home on the market in Washington, D.C., it’s difficult to predict if your top offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan.

If you do work with a financed buyer, know that different mortgage types (such as conventional loans or government-backed FHA, USDA, or VA loans) have different minimum property standards. These are standards related to the overall condition of a property, which will play a role in the willingness and/or ability of a lender to finance a buyer’s loan.

Before a property can be financed, a state-licensed, independent appraiser will assess its value and condition. The buyer’s mortgage company will contract the appraiser.

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

Prioritize a cash offer if you receive one

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

Pros of listing a home ‘as is’ in Washington, D.C.: 

• 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 Washington, D.C. home ‘as is’:

• 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 covered the general process of listing a home “as is” in Washington, D.C., let’s discuss an alternative: working with an investor. While the process varies from company to company, the steps to selling your home to a cash buyer typically go something like this:

1. Decision: A D.C. homeowner decides a traditional listing isn’t right for them. Perhaps their house needs a lot of work, or they don’t want to host any showings or open houses. They’re concerned about finding a buyer willing to purchase their home “as is.”

2. Contact: The seller contacts a company that buys homes in their D.C. neighborhood and provides some basic information about their home.

3. Preliminary offer: At this stage, some 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. Non-negotiable 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 scenario.

6. Closing: If you decide to move forward, you and the company will each 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. Sellers working with a house-buying company often enjoy flexibility in selecting a move-out date that suits their schedule.

If you aren’t sure where to pursue 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 make you a full cash offer and buy your home in as little as a week.

Skip repairs

No need to call the roof inspector or drain your savings to replace the HVAC. HomeLight will provide an offer for homes in almost any condition in Washington, D.C. and nationwide.

Sell when it’s convenient

Want to get out right away? Or need a little more time to pack your things? Either way, we’re flexible. Choose 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 you can move much faster than 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.

Want 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 Washington, D.C.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the leading companies that buy homes “as is” for cash in Washington, D.C.: