What Should a Seller Disclose to Potential Buyers

When selling a home, transparency is key to a smooth transaction and avoiding potential legal issues down the road. Sellers must disclose certain information to potential buyers to ensure they are fully informed about the property they are considering purchasing. Here’s a rundown of the essential disclosures sellers should make.

First and foremost, sellers are required to disclose any known material defects in the property. This includes structural issues such as foundation problems, roof leaks, or significant cracks in walls. If there have been past repairs for these issues, that information should also be shared.

Water damage and mold are other critical areas for disclosure. Sellers should inform buyers of any history of flooding, leaks, or mold infestations. Even if these issues have been remedied, buyers need to know about past problems so they can monitor for potential recurrences.

Pest infestations are another area that must be disclosed. If the home has had issues with termites, rodents, or other pests, sellers need to share this information along with details of any treatments that have been performed.

Environmental hazards such as asbestos, lead paint, radon gas, or contaminated soil must also be disclosed. These hazards can pose serious health risks and often require costly remediation efforts.

Additionally, sellers should disclose any legal issues related to the property. This includes zoning disputes, boundary line disagreements with neighbors, or any pending litigation involving the property.

It’s also prudent to disclose any renovations or major improvements made to the home. Buyers will want to know if work was done with proper permits and whether it meets current building codes.

Finally, homeowners associations (HOAs) and their associated fees and regulations should be disclosed if applicable. Buyers need to understand what rules they will need to follow and what financial obligations they will inherit.

Full disclosure helps build trust between sellers and buyers and can prevent future conflicts. By being upfront about these critical aspects of the property, sellers can facilitate a smoother transaction process and protect themselves from potential legal repercussions.

For more information, contact Jim Armstrong

Jim Armstrong
REALTOR/Broker
Armstrong Field Group
ALUXETY Real Estate
jarmstrong@armstrongfield.com
978-394-6736