Under a standard contract, Sarah would have asked the seller to replace the panel and clear the roots. But the "as-is" clause changed the conversation.

Sarah and Leo found it on a Tuesday—a charming, slightly overgrown Victorian on the edge of town. The price was significantly lower than anything else in the neighborhood, but the listing was firm:

Never skip the inspection. "As-is" simply defines who is responsible for repairs (the buyer), but you still need to know what those repairs are.

They hired a meticulous inspector named Dave. For four hours, Dave crawled through the attic and poked at the foundation. Sarah and Leo followed him, pens ready. The Discovery