5 Things You Need to Know About Real Estate Disclosures

It's standard practice in real estate to give a home a fresh coat of paint before putting it on the market. Nine out of 10 times, the intention is to show the property at its best. But every so often, the seller paints the house in hopes of covering something up.

In most parts of the country, sellers (and agents) are required to document any known defects —  whether current or past — to potential buyers. But some sellers don't play by the rules and will try to get one past a buyer.

Whether you’re a listing a home for sale or in the market to purchase, here are five things you should know about real estate disclosures.

What is a real estate disclosure?

Real estate disclosure statements, which can come in a variety of forms, are the buyer’s opportunity to learn as much as they can about the property and the seller’s experience in it.

Potential seller disclosures range from knowledge of leaky windows to work done without the benefit of a permit, to information about a major construction or development project nearby.

Not only do disclosure documents serve to inform buyers, but they can also protect the sellers from future legal action. It is the seller’s chance to reveal anything that can negatively affect the value, usefulness or enjoyment of the property.

How does a seller make a disclosure?

Disclosure laws vary from state to state, even down to the city and county level. California has some of the most stringent disclosure requirements. The law requires that sellers (and their agents) complete or sign off on dozens of documents, such as a Natural Hazards Disclosure Statement, Local and State Transfer Disclosure Statements, Advisories about Market Conditions and even Megan’s Law Disclosures.

Disclosure typically comes in the form of boilerplate documents (put together by the local or state real estate association), where the seller answers a series of yes/no questions about their home and their experience there.

Additionally, sellers must present any documented communication (between neighbors, previous owners, the seller or the agents) about a substantial defect or item that could have an adverse impact on value.

Depending on where you live, sellers can be on the hook for what they disclose (or fail to) for up to 10 years. Sellers should err on the side of caution. If you know it, put it out there. If you try to hide something, it can come back to haunt you in the form of an expensive lawsuit.

What do sellers disclose to potential buyers?

Previous improvements, renovations or upgrades done by sellers are typical disclosures, as well as whether work was done with or without permits.

Buyers should cross check the seller’s disclosures with the city building permit and zoning reports. Work completed without a permit, or approval by the municipality, may not have been performed to code, which could result in a fire or health hazard.

Other standard disclosures include the existence of pets, termite problems, neighborhood nuisances, any history of property line disputes, and defects or malfunctions with major systems or appliances. Disclosure documents often ask sellers if they are involved in bankruptcy proceedings, if there any liens on the property, and so on.

Is a disclosure the same as an inspection?

Disclosure is something given to the buyer by the seller documenting their knowledge of the property. It is not the same thing as an independent inspection by a third party. An examination may reveal defects that the seller may not have been aware of.

The buyer should always do a full property inspection, before moving forward with the purchase. The inspector checks all systems and components from the roof to the basement. Often, in the interest of the ultimate in full disclosure, a seller hires a property inspector before going on the market and supplies the written report to the buyer.

When does the buyer receive disclosure statements?

In most markets, disclosure documents are provided to buyers once the seller has accepted their offer. In addition to their inspections or loan contingency, the buyer has an opportunity to review the seller’s disclosures. If the buyer discovers something negative about the property through disclosure, she can usually back out.

In some markets, sellers provide these disclosures to the customers before an offer. Smart sellers let buyers know everything they need to know up front. It's smart because it saves everyone time, hassle and expense by preventing deals from falling apart once they’re in escrow.

Buyers must sign off on all disclosures and reports. So it’s important to review them carefully and ask questions if you need to. Full disclosure upfront is the way to go. Providing full disclosure can help a seller. By laying their cards out, sellers can give buyers a sense of comfort or peace of mind, making their home more desirable than a competing one.

What if a seller lied on disclosure?

Q: 'We purchased our first home in Feb. In April, we noticed that our toilet was having a hard time flushing.A plumber determined the septic tank was full. I called a septic service to have the tanks pumped 4/25 .  By July, we had the same issues. We would have never purchased the home knowing it would need such expensive repairs. We paid for an inspection before purchasing that didn't catch this..Do we have any recourse?'

A: Septic Inspections are not a part of a standard home inspection.  I would look at the inspection report from your inspector to ascertain what was inspected as part of your home inspection (if one was performed). We always recommend a certified septic inspection performed by a County Health Certified septic inspector that can give you a validated certificate of occupancy. That includes pumping and uncovering the tank and pulling the original certified copy of the septic permit.  If any issues are found, these can be addressed before purchase/closing. I would also look at your seller's disclosure to see what was listed as far as age and condition.We certainly empathize with you and your dilemma and hope it gets worked out in a satisfactory solution.

Related:

• Contingencies: A Home Buyer's BFF
• What to Do If Your Home Purchase Appraisal Comes Up Short
• 4 Tips for Getting Value From Your Home Inspection

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.