Buying A Florida Home As-Is
Buying on the “As-Is” contract is a popular way many homes are sold as opposed to, for a lack of a better term, the standard contract. Both contracts, the Florida Association of Realtors makes available to its members.
Knowing some of the major differences between the two contracts can help guide you towards which contract serves you best for the situation. My concern has always been that the "as-is" contract is overused and doesn't always serve the buying public in a way they expect. There is a way to get the best of both contracts that may not be in the best interest of the brokers involved in the contract.
Agents Want You To Think "As-Is" Protects You
The reason I understand the “as-is” is viewed with so much favor is because it gives you, the buyer, an unconditional out for just about any reason during inspection period. This can be a good thing but remember, you are going to spend both time and money having an inspection and there are no requirements for the seller to fix anything.
In practice, the general approach is that once an inspection is done, then there is a second negotiation for repairs. Now, depending on how the as-is was presented to the seller during the negotiation, you may or may not be able to get repairs or concessions from the seller. If the seller refuses to negotiate the repair request, you are out the inspection fee as the seller is not obligated to do anything.
I think there is second reason why brokerages like as-is contracts that I’ll circle back to in a bit. You might be surprised, their reason has nothing to do with protecting your interests!
The "Standard" Contract Has Advantages
The standard contract allows for a repair limit up front. Hopefully, you and your agent have gone through the home a couple of times before...
Be Sure to Check Out our "Buying As-Is" Episode
writing the offer and looked over the
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There is a belief that selling your Florida home “AS-IS” somehow relieves you, the owner, from the obligation to disclose any known defects. Nothing could be further from the truth! Regardless of selling “as-is” or not, as the seller you are required to disclose any known defects about the property which also includes any liens or other issues that 
Having significant work done around the house for things like roofs, AC replacement or other significant repairs is probably going require a permit. Your contractor will know what is needed. Just be sure that when the work is done, the final inspection passes and the permit is closed. It is really an easy thing to do as most counties, cities and local jurisdictions have some sort of on-line permit look up. 
John Woodward of Sarasota Real Estate Group just sold 8207 Nice Way in the Turtle Rock subdivision in Palmer Ranch. Listed for $469,000 and sold for $439,000 representing almost 7% off asking or $30,000. The Turtle Rock market is averaging 4% off asking price. Once again, John Woodward's team was able to beat the market average for these buyers by 3% or about $
