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Whether you have owned your home for a few years or a few decades, you know its quirks, best features, and flaws. When you decide to sell your home you need to be aware that your experience with your home is something you may have to share with potential buyers.
Most buyers opt to have a home inspection before they finalize their purchase, but you as the seller must also follow state and federal regulations regarding disclosure of known facts about your property’s condition.
As a seller you may feel uncomfortable revealing problems in your home that could discourage potential buyers, but it’s best to be open about issues before your home goes under contract. A home inspector is likely to find problems and the buyers will be less favorably inclined to negotiate with you if they feel you have withheld information. If a flaw is found after the sale is complete and the buyers have reason to believe you were aware of the problem, you could face a lawsuit.
Federal disclosure rules
The majority of disclosure issues are handled by state regulations, but federal laws apply to one area: lead paint. If your home was built prior to 1978, it may contain lead paint. Your home must be checked for lead paint and a disclosure form completed unless your home was built after 1978.
State disclosure rules
State regulations vary and often change, so rely on your real estate agent (here’s how to find a real estate agent in your area) to be up-to-date on disclosure requirements for your area. Some states allow sellers to complete a disclosure form listing information about their home, or a disclaimer form that says the sellers don’t have any information about issues in the property.
In some areas you need to disclose what you know about natural hazards like whether your home is in a flood zone or in an area known for earthquakes; other required disclosures can involve pollution issues, prospective zoning changes, or if it’s located within a historic district.
Another issue that sometimes causes problems is when a home has been a crime scene or if someone died on the property.
Things you should disclose to prospective buyers
- Water damage or mold. If you’re aware of a leaky basement, a damaged roof or any signs of dampness in your house, you need to let the buyers know about the issue. It’s best to provide receipts and insurance claim information so buyers can see how you addressed the issue.
- Lead paint. Federal law requires homeowners to disclose any known lead-based paint if you’re selling a home built before 1978.
- Hazardous conditions. Some states require sellers to alert buyers to the potential danger of wildfires, earthquakes and floods in the area.
- Termite damage. If your home has been previously treated for termite damage, you should disclose this to the buyers. You can also protect yourself by paying for another termite inspection.
- Repairs and insurance claims. If you know of any repairs you or the previous owners have made, it’s best to disclose them to buyers. Homeowners can request a CLUE report on their home that shows any history of insurance claims for the past seven years. If you have made repairs to your property, it’s usually best to disclose the information when you list your home for sale, even if local regulations don’t require you to do so.
The impact of full disclosure
Most sellers are aware of the benefit of letting prospective buyers know about positive features of their home such as new appliances or a new roof, but there can also be a benefit in disclosing defects in your home. Any issue that you have addressed during the years in your home can provide proof that you’ve kept up with maintenance. You may want to provide a binder with receipts and insurance claim information to show buyers what work has been done on your home.
If there’s an ongoing problem that buyers will need to handle, it’s better for them to hear about it from you so you can negotiate about when repairs must be made and who will pay for them. In fact, if you have a particular concern about your home, you may want to hire a home inspector yourself to get to the details before you put your property on the market.
Openness about your home’s condition is the best way to avoid lawsuits, even if disclosure is not required in your state.
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