Do I need a seller’s disclosure?

Do I need a seller’s disclosure?

What is a seller’s disclosure? 

As a seller, you want to make sure your home is attractive to buyers and sell it as quickly and profitably as possible. A seller’s disclosure can be a useful tool for achieving this goal. 

A seller’s disclosure is a form that provides information about the condition of a home to potential buyers. This document discloses any facts that a potential buyer should be aware of prior to making an offer on a house. It includes information such as repair history, pest infestations, structural or mechanical failures, and any other issues that may affect the property. Disclosure forms give buyers the opportunity to make an informed decision, which helps to prevent disputes down the road. They also help protect sellers from being held liable after selling their homes.  

In some states, there are standard real estate disclosures that must be included in the seller’s disclosure form; these are designed to help buyers make more informed purchasing decisions. However, different states have different requirements for what needs to be disclosed when selling a house, so make sure you understand your local laws before filling out any forms.  

Different types of seller’s disclosure forms 

Seller’s disclosures fall into two main categories: residential property disclosure and commercial property disclosure.  

Residential property disclosure typically involves a single document that details any known issues or potential defects in the house. The document should cover any problems with the home’s structure, appliances, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as any environmental hazards like lead-based paint or asbestos-containing materials.  

Commercial property disclosure is usually much more involved, since businesses have more complex structures than residential properties. A commercial property disclosure document usually covers information about the building’s utility systems (HVAC, electric, plumbing), environmental compliance information (hazardous materials in or on the premises) as well as any other relevant information about the legal/ownership history and occupancy rate of the property. 

Standard real estate disclosures 

When selling a home, the seller should provide certain disclosures to the buyer. These are required by law in some states, and failure to provide them could result in major consequences for the seller in every state. The disclosures made by the seller depend on the state in which the property is located. However, there are several standard real estate disclosures that must be made regardless of state laws: 
 

• Seller's disclosure of lead paint. If a home was built before 1978, then a seller's disclosure on any possible lead paint risks or issues must be provided to a buyer. This is to ensure that the presence of any potentially hazardous materials is known before purchase.  
• Transfer disclosure statements. This document provides details about a property’s current condition and any known issues or improvements that may have been completed within the last three years. 
• Natural Hazards Disclosure. This statement informs buyers of any potential hazards such as flooding and earthquake fault lines.

As a reminder, it’s a good idea to make sure your state doesn’t require any additional seller's disclosures before selling a house.  

   

Seller’s disclosures are beneficial. 

A seller’s disclosure is important for both buyers and sellers because it can help protect both parties from unknown problems with the property. It provides protection to the buyer by giving them a full understanding of what they are buying, including any potential risks associated with the property or nearby area. For sellers, it gives them an opportunity to disclose all legal and financial facts about the property, so if potential liabilities arise after the sale, they are not held responsible for any issues that could have been identified prior to the sale.

A seller’s disclosure allows both parties to negotiate in good faith. By providing full disclosure during the negotiation process, buyers and sellers can agree to terms that suit their individual needs.  

Provide disclosure documents early. 

Sellers should provide a seller's disclosure statement as soon as they list the property on the market, or as soon as they enter into a contract with a buyer. Generally, sellers should provide a disclosure to buyers within five business days of executing a real estate purchase agreement. However, in some jurisdictions (or if there are extenuating circumstances), the timelines for providing disclosure may be adjusted.  

In some areas, sellers are required by law to provide additional disclosures such as seismic hazard disclosures. You should know your local laws and regulations regarding seller’s disclosures, since failure to comply may result in serious legal consequences or financial liabilities. The best way to avoid any penalties is to inform yourself of any requirements.  

Do I need to provide a seller’s disclosure statement? 

In many areas, a seller’s disclosure is not required by law, though it is best practice to provide one as part of the home sale process. Even when a seller’s disclosure is not mandatory, the seller still has an obligation to disclose any known defects or issues with the house, and failing to do so could result in legal ramifications.  

Many real estate agents recommend having a home inspection done prior to entering into negotiations with potential buyers. The inspection will reveal any potential problems and allow sellers to make necessary repairs or provide buyers with detailed disclosures about what they can expect when taking ownership of the property.  

Sell your house the easy way! 

Discover the convenience and benefits of partnering with HomeVestors^®, your local premier cash home buyers with over 25 years of experience in making property sales seamless and profitable for sellers. 
 

• Free consultation. Start with a free consultation, where one of our independent real estate professionals will come to your property and assess your house. Don’t worry if it needs repairs, renovations, or even a bit of cleaning—we can buy homes “as is.”
• Fair offer. After your free consultation, we can provide you with a no-obligation, all-cash offer on your house.
• Fast close. Should you decide to accept our offer, enjoy the flexibility of closing in as little as 3 weeks, or later if you prefer. Experience the advantage of a fair and transparent transaction, free of hidden fees or commissions, and maximize your cash profit.  

Even if your house needs repairs and you want to sell your house “as is,” or if you need to sell your house fast, HomeVestors will work with you every step of the way. Better yet, you can leave any unwanted belongings on the property, and we will take care of their disposal for you, making the selling process truly hassle-free.  

Choose HomeVestors to guide you through a stress-free sale of your property. 

Contact us today at 866-200-6475 to get a free consultation for an all-cash offer on your house!