Considering selling a house “as is” in Delaware? Perhaps you’re hoping to part ways with a recently inherited property or want to offload a fixer-upper that’s too costly or difficult to maintain. Skipping the repairs and moving straight to a quick offer could be the best solution for moving forward quickly. “A lot of times, it’s older homes or estate sales where people have inherited the property. Often, there are various problems — structural issues, sometimes fire damage, different things like that — where the owners don’t want to prepare the property or do the work necessary to get it ready to put on the market,” explains Jeffrey Stape, a top-performing Delaware real estate agent with nearly 50 years of experience. However, selling a house “as is” isn’t ideal for all sellers — it usually means accepting a lower offer, and it doesn’t always prevent buyers from trying to negotiate savings. Let’s take a closer look at how the process of selling as-is works in Delaware and your options for getting an offer. Selling a property as-is means that no improvements will be made to the property, and it will be sold exactly as it stands. This also means that the seller chooses not to entertain buyers’ requests to complete repairs or provide a credit for fixes or improvements. In some cases, an as-is sale can indicate that the functionality and longevity of certain components of the home are not guaranteed — for example, a stove on its last legs or a leaky roof. 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. Homes sold “as is” often need some work or may be cosmetically outdated. It’s not a label you’re likely to put on a listing in tip-top, move-in-ready condition. “As is” sales often attract investors searching for their next house flip or buyers seeking a bargain, perhaps on a home in an ideal location with lots of potential for improvement. “What we always say is, these are the market sales for comparable homes in good condition,” says Stape. “If you take the time to do some basic repairs, cleaning, or painting, we could sell it for a higher price. We make sure to disclose the comps and explain that selling as-is usually means selling at a discount, below market value.” Selling a house “as is” in Delaware doesn’t mean sweeping any known issues with the property under the rug. A good time to fill out the Delaware Seller’s Disclosure of Real Property Condition Report is prior to listing your home or requesting an offer, so that you know it’s taken care of. According to the document, sellers are required to disclose in writing all material defects of the property that are known at the time of sale, or that are known prior to the time of final settlement. The form will walk you through documenting what you know about the property’s condition. You’ll also be prompted to fill out information about the following items: “If the agreement is written so that it’s strictly as-is and the seller makes no warranties whatsoever, and the buyer has agreed to inspect the property on their own, then that should be disclosed clearly to make sure it’s fully understood by the buyer,” advises Stape. No matter whether you choose to sell your home as-is or not, you are required to make these disclosures to the best of your ability. However, Delaware does allow certain exceptions, including transfers from one co-owner to one or more other co-owners, or transfers by a fiduciary in the course of the administration of the decedent’s estate, guardianship or trust. You can find a comprehensive list of exceptions in the Seller’s Disclosure and Radon Disclosure Exemption. The main options to sell a house ‘as is’ include: A skilled real estate agent in Delaware will provide guidance throughout the process of listing and selling a home “as is.” An agent can provide simple presentation tips to improve marketing, help set an appropriate price that reflects the home’s condition, and work to find a buyer who’s willing and eager to buy your home in its current state. A homeowner looking to sell “as is” can also work directly with a property investor or house-buying company rather than list, where it can sometimes be difficult to get an offer from a limited buyer pool. We Buy Houses companies generally buy properties “as is” at a discounted rate, purposefully seeking out homes that need significant repairs. These companies offer speed and convenience for sellers, with many agreeing to cover closing costs. Choosing the right real estate agent always matters, but it’s more important than ever when selling a property “as is.” You’ll need an agent who doesn’t shy away from listings that need a little fixing up, and maybe even has a strong network of investor connections. Your agent should also be willing to go the extra mile on marketing. Considering that over half of buyers report that they would prefer to buy a move-in ready home, an “as is” sale likely has a reduced buyer pool from the start. A pre-listing home inspection is the same as a standard home inspection, but the seller pays for it before listing their home on the market. Although it may sound counterintuitive, getting the inspection results upfront can reveal any issues that might impact the value of the home and inform a more accurate pricing strategy. If a buyer requests further deductions to the price based on their own inspection, you may be able to point to how the estimated cost of certain repairs was already baked into the list price. The median sale price for homes in Delaware hit $385,833 in November 2025, a 0.6% decrease from the year prior. Homes sold “as is” in Delaware often sell for less than comparable move-in-ready listings, reflecting the cost and uncertainty buyers take on. The size of that price difference can vary based on the home’s condition, the age of major systems, and local market demand, with well-located properties typically holding their value better than those needing extensive repairs. To see how much your Delaware home might be worth, 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 neighborhood. Using a short questionnaire, we also factor in specifics about your home, such as the property type and described condition. Once you input your address, we’ll provide you with a preliminary home value estimate in less than two minutes. Even for as-is home listings in Delaware, Stape typically recommends that sellers still declutter the property. “By having it cluttered, it makes the house look smaller than what it is,” Stape notes. Showcasing the size of the property to its full potential can help even as-is sellers attract better offers. Your listing warrants professional photography regardless of its condition. A professional photographer will ensure each room is captured from the best angle, guarantee optimal interior and natural lighting, and edit photos for the ideal brightness and exposure. A high-quality camera with a wide-angle lens is also essential to showcasing entire rooms rather than half or three-quarters of what’s there. For these reasons and beyond, professionally photographed homes can help earn homeowners up to a 47% higher asking price per square foot compared to houses marketed without professional photos. Your real estate agent will almost always arrange for professional photos as part of the listing process. A home’s location is a key factor for buyers seeking out a home with potential. Mention in your as-is listing if your home is close to any of the following: 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 Delaware include priced to sell, fixer-upper, handyman special, or a “call for investors.” “We see it a lot in an estate sale or something similar, where the client wants to sell it as-is but still puts it on the MLS. That way, it gives buyers the comfort to make an offer as-is, seeing what the deficiencies are in the home before going under contract,” says Mark Stape, partner at Stape & Associates. To balance the focus on as-is condition, work with your agent to craft a property description that highlights the best features of the home. Listing “as is” doesn’t guarantee that buyers won’t try to negotiate savings on their purchase, even on an asking price you felt was already reduced to reflect the home’s condition. One of the best defenses you can have is an agent who takes a hard stance to prevent a deal from going south for the seller. “We usually give sellers a few different recommendations: a price where we’d anticipate getting multiple offers, or a price that’s closer in line with what we think the actual value of the home is. We leave it up to the sellers to make that determination themselves, of course,” says Mark. “In terms of underpricing a property, we have seen in the past that it can be beneficial for sellers because it creates a frenzy, and when there are multiple offers, people will often pay well over asking price.” When you place your 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.However, 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 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 properties can be financed, their value and condition are typically examined by a state-licensed, independent appraiser contracted by the buyer’s mortgage company.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. 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 in its current condition — especially one that needs more significant repairs — 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. “Sometimes people just don’t want to deal with the hassle of having a bunch of buyers come through their house. They might prefer to have one person come in, make a cash offer, and if it’s agreeable, just take it,” says Mark. Pros of listing a home ‘as is’: Cons of listing a home ‘as is’: Now that we’ve covered the general process of listing a home “as is,” let’s discuss the alternative of working with an investor. While the process varies from business to business, the steps of selling to a house-buying company typically look something like this: 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. No need to call the roof inspector or drain your savings to replace the HVAC. HomeLight will provide an offer for homes in virtually any condition. Want to move out 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. 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 traditional financing. With Simple Sale, you can close in as little as 7 days, compared to the 30-60 days or longer it typically takes to close with a financed buyer. Curious to learn more about the Simple Sale experience? Hear it firsthand from one of our valued clients in the video below. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the leading companies that purchase homes “as is” for cash in Delaware, along with information about each.Fast facts about selling a house ‘as is’ in Delaware
Median sales price in Delaware
$385,833
Average days on market (DOM) for Delaware
46 days
Disclosures
Delaware law requires sellers to disclose material facts about the property through the Seller’s Disclosure of Real Property Condition Report.
MLS has a field to mark a listing “as is”?
No
Is a real estate attorney required?
Real estate attorneys are considered essential for closing in the state of Delaware.
Real estate transfer taxes?
Delaware imposes a real estate transfer tax at the rate of 4% of the property’s fair market value, consisting of both a state and local tax. It is typically split equally between the buyer and seller.
What is ‘as is’ condition in real estate?
Which types of homes are sold ‘as is’?
What problems do you have to disclose in Delaware?
Review your options to sell ‘as is’ in Delaware
List ‘as is’ with the help of a real estate agent
Sell directly to a cash buyer
Steps to list ‘as is’ with the help of a real estate agent
Find an agent willing to list the home ‘as is’
Consider a pre-listing inspection
Price to reflect ‘as is’ condition
Do ever-so-light preparations
Photograph to show potential
Highlight the surrounding area
Include ‘as is’ in the listing
Understand buyers may still negotiate
Be aware of minimum property standards for certain loans
Prioritize a cash offer if you receive one
Steps to sell directly to a cash buyer
Skip repairs
Sell when it’s convenient
Close with certainty
Additional We Buy Houses companies in Delaware
