Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Minneapolis

Looking into selling a house “as is” in Minneapolis? Whether you’re dealing with a fixer-upper or an inherited property, your priority might be to avoid repairs, secure a fair offer, and move forward quickly.

“As-is sales are most often seen in inherited homes, rental properties, or situations involving relocation or foreclosure,” says Jason Huerkamp, a top-performing Minneapolis agent who sells homes 75% faster than the average agent in his market.

Keep in mind, though, that selling a house “as is” often means accepting a lower price, and buyers may still try to negotiate. Let’s explore how to approach the sale, what your options are for getting an offer, and what you can expect from the process.

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

What is ‘as is’ condition in real estate?

“As is” is a type of home sale in which it’s understood that no enhancements 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.

With an as-is sale, it’s worth knowing that there are no guarantees on how long certain parts of the home, like an old stove or an aging roof, will continue to work.

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

Which types of homes are sold ‘as is’?

Homes sold “as is” often need significant work or are cosmetically outdated. You won’t likely put this label on a listing in move-in-ready condition.

As-is sales often attract investors hoping for their next flip or buyers looking for a great deal on a home with potential in a good spot.

“The most common reason is financial limitation or the desire to avoid costly repairs, often in estate sales, distressed properties, or homes owned by long-term residents who haven’t updated them in decades,” says Huerkamp.

What problems do you have to disclose in Minneapolis?

Selling a house “as is” in Minneapolis doesn’t mean ignoring known problems about the house.

The best time to fill out the Minnesota Seller’s Property 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 anything they know that could seriously affect a buyer’s use or enjoyment of the property.

The form will guide you through documenting what you know about the property’s history and any issues or problems you encounter.

You’ll also fill out information about:

• Structural or system defects (foundation, roof, walls, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
• Water issues, including flooding, leaks, or seepage
• Fire, smoke, mold, or mildew damage
• Pest infestations or soil/settling problems
• Environmental hazards like asbestos, radon, lead paint, or underground tanks
• Nearby nuisances or risks, such as landfills, air pollution, or strong odors
• Any unsafe conditions or known code violations

“Sellers often overlook disclosing past water damage, foundation issues, or unpermitted work. Omitting known defects — even in an ‘as is’ sale — can lead to lawsuits for misrepresentation or fraud,” warns Huerkamp.

No matter how you choose to sell your home, you’re required to make these disclosures to the best of your knowledge. However, Minnesota does allow some exceptions — such as when the seller hasn’t lived in the property. In those cases, you may provide a third-party inspection report or use the Minnesota Disclosure Alternatives form.

Review your options to sell ‘as is’ in Minneapolis

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

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

A great Minneapolis real estate agent will help you list and sell a home “as is.” An agent can provide expert tips on presenting and marketing your home to attract buyers who are willing and eager to buy it in its current state. An agent also helps to set an appropriate price that reflects the home’s condition.

Sell directly to a cash buyer

Someone selling their Minneapolis home “as is” can also work directly with a property investor or house-buying company rather than list, where it may be challenging to attract an offer from a limited buyer pool.

We Buy Houses companies buy “as is” at a discounted rate and generally take homes needing significant 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 always matters, but even more so when selling a house “as is” in Minneapolis. Finding the right match can make all the difference. You’re searching for an agent who doesn’t shy away from listings that need a little TLC and maybe has a strong network of investor connections.

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

Consider a pre-listing inspection

A pre-listing home inspection is the same as a standard home inspection except that the seller pays for it before listing their home on the market. While this may feel like an unnecessary step for an as-is sale, getting the inspection results upfront can reveal 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 explain that the cost of those repairs was already factored into the list price.

“A pre-listing inspection helps the seller understand what issues may surface and allows them to price accordingly. It builds trust with buyers and can prevent surprises that derail deals. It also reduces the likelihood of post-inspection renegotiations or cancellation,” says Huerkamp.

Price to reflect ‘as is’ condition

In June 2025, the median sale price for homes in Minneapolis hit $408,000, a 3.9% increase over the previous year.

Huerkamp says that homes sold “as is” in the area typically sell for 5% to 20% less than market value. He notes that the home’s condition and location can affect this value.

“However, sellers can net comparable proceeds if priced correctly and marketed strategically — especially in a low-inventory market like Minneapolis,” Huerkamp adds.

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 properties in your neighborhood. Using a short questionnaire, we also factor in specifics 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.

What is Your Minneapolis Home Worth?

Enter your address and get a preliminary estimate of home value in under two minutes.

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Do ever-so-light preparations

Even for as-is home listings in Minneapolis, Huerkamp typically recommends that sellers complete the following:

• Clean the house thoroughly
• Declutter the space
• Mow the lawn
• Add fresh paint or lighting

“Even basic cosmetic touches can help buyers see potential without breaking the bank. First impressions still matter, even in as-is listings,” adds Huerkamp.

Photograph to show potential

No matter the condition of your Minneapolis home, professional photography is always worth it. A skilled photographer can capture each room from the most flattering angle, use the best lighting, and edit for the ideal brightness and exposure.

Using a high-quality camera and wide-angle lens helps show entire rooms — not just partial views — making your space look its best. For these reasons, professionally photographed homes can help earn homeowners a much higher asking price per square foot compared to houses marketed without professional photos.

Your real estate agent will usually arrange for professional photos as part of the listing process.

Highlight the surrounding area

For buyers eyeing a home with potential, location is key. When you list your home “as is,” be sure to point out 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 (ocean or a lake)
• Highly rated schools
• Access to outdoor activities
• Public transportation

Include ‘as is’ in the listing

Unless you explicitly mention that you’re selling a house “as is,” Minneapolis buyers will have no idea of your intentions with the listing. Other common descriptors mentioned in as-is listings 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 shows off the home’s best features and selling points.

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 condition. One of your best defenses is working 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 Minneapolis home on the market, 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 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 relate to the overall condition of a home and will play a role in a lender’s willingness and/or ability 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 Minneapolis home will meet appraisal requirements, you can start by looking 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

Sometimes, conventional lenders will finance a fixer-upper sold “as is,” and it’s also possible to use an FHA loan in certain cases. However, if your home needs more extensive repairs, it may be worth considering a cash offer. Cash can eliminate the need for a lender appraisal and speed up the closing process, offering a faster and more straightforward path to settlement.

“Selling ‘as is’ often attracts investors or cash buyers, which can mean faster closings but lower offers,” says Huerkamp.

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

• 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 Minneapolis 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 selling a house “as is” in Minneapolis, let’s discuss an alternative: working with an investor. While each company operates a little differently, the steps to selling your home to a house-buying company typically go something like this:

1. Decision: A Minneapolis homeowner concludes a traditional listing isn’t for them. Their house may need a lot of work, or they do not want to host 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 houses in their Minneapolis neighborhood and provides some basic information about their home.

3. Preliminary offer: At this point, some house-buying companies will make a preliminary offer that is subject to change after a house assessment.

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 makes a firm offer (typically within 24 hours, sometimes on-site after the walkthrough), which you can accept or decline. Most Minneapolis 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 companies offer a large deposit or moving cost assistance, and a few may even pay for the house 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 choosing a move-out date that works for them.

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 Minneapolis home, such as whether it’s a single-family or condo, and how much work it needs. We’ll then provide you with a full cash offer to buy your home in as little as a week.

Skip repairs

No need to call the roof inspector or empty your savings to replace the HVAC. HomeLight makes offers on homes in almost any condition across Minneapolis.

Sell when it’s convenient

Want to get out right away? Or need a little more time to pack? Either way, we’re flexible. Select 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 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 in Minneapolis.

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 Minneapolis

Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the leading companies that purchase homes “as is” for cash in Minneapolis: