Sold as seen

[Mum2Fergus]

Habe found a property online Im really interested in...viewing arranged for weekend. One thing however keeps coming into head...agent description states 'property sold as seen'. Any Ideas of what this may imply?!

[frostyfingers]

I don't know what it means for houses, but for cars as auctions it's effectively "what you see is what you get" - you can't test drive/check paperwork etc, although there is a minimal guarantee.

For houses it may be something to do with not having a survey? I don't really know, unless it's just in terrible condition and you shouldn't expect a show home. I should ring the agent and ask for a detailed explanation.

[RCheshire]

Sometime means the vendor has no intention of clearing out the belongings/cleaning, e.g. it's a probate sale and in a mess.

[sh77]

Vendor has no intention of repairing anything before sale. This happened to us.

[catpark]

It can mean a repossession. One like that across the road from me. The electrics/gas/water have all been cut off and anything of value has been stripped out including the bath for some reason but toilet etc. is still there.

A few years ago a victorian built townhouse was 'sold as seen'. Basically it meant it hadn't been touched for 60years or so and it needed rewired/heating installed, roof etc. It also meant that since it had been untouched for so long there was original fireplaces etc.

So could be either.

[CasperGutman]

As I understand it, all houses are basically sold as seen, in as much as you have no comeback if they later turn out to have problems with them. That's why you pay lots of money for surveys. It's not like a consumer retail transaction where the Sale of Goods Act applies and you can go back later and complain if the item is not of suitable quality.

[Montblanc]

It means it needs work doing to it and you can't come back once you've had the survey done to try and negotiate on price. I imagine it's priced competitively to reflect this.

[Mum2Fergus]

Hmm will remain wide eyed during viewing then...the online pics genuinely dont show anything to be concerned about, beautifully decorated, etc...but I guess thats part if the estate agents technique!

[Labracadabra]

Where is it? Is it a barn conversion in Lincolnshire?

[isitreallysostrange]

Our house was 'sold as seen' which for us meant the previous owner had died and there was nobody who knew anything about the property and we dealt with executors of the will - we had a full survey done for re-assurance. Only real surprise was it was on a water meter! Don't let it put you off

[MarySA]

I'd be worried that sold as seen meant something awful was wrong with it. Like subsidence. If a house needs nearly everything doing to it somebody told me it's described as needs complete modernisation, or needs complete refurbishment. I'd be uneasy about sold as seen.

[LaAmanda]

My flat was "sold as seen". I was overseas and I had rented it out furnished. Beautiful flat and beautiful furniture.

[lilbreeze]

I would assume it just means "be prepared"! So might not be in great condition - like it or lump it.

Sometimes sellers do try to say you can't negotiate after the survey but I would completely ignore that, even if you have initially agreed to it. Once you've had the survey done you have every right to renegotiate the price (or withdraw from the purchase) if the survey reveals something unexpected - otherwise what would be the point in having one done at all?

[lilbreeze]

Oh I've just seen it's beautifully decorated etc. In that case maybe as someone above said the vendor either is not around to provide info about it, or not prepared to rectify any problems found? Worth asking the agent as it's a bit cryptic!