Disclosure: What You Need to Know
By law, sellers are required to disclose information about their house that might affect someone's decision to buy. Different states have different requirements. California is one of the most stringent; the complete list of disclosures required by that state can be found at
http://www.dre.ca.gov/disclosures.htm. Be sure to find out which disclosures apply to your state.
There are some basics in common from state to state, however, and that could be a good place to start. Some of the most commonly required disclosures are listed below. Everything on the list must be in working condition, or else the defects must be noted as part of the disclosure process.
- Itemized list of kitchen appliances/hookups included
- Itemized list of safety features (smoke detectors, alarms, gates)
- List of electronic hook ups (satellite, internet, etc)
- Information about the heating and cooling systems
- Heating systems for pools/ spas, water
- Information about type of sewage (public, septic, etc)
- Outdoor/garden additions (gazebos, barbecue, patios, etc)
- Safety items for hot tubs, pools, spas
- Garage information, include auto doors, remote controls
- Information about utility supply: water, gas, electric etc
- Window information – screens, security, escape
- Roof age and type
- Structure of the house, inside and out: walls, ceilings, plumbing, etc.
- Hazardous substances or contamination of soil, water, etc
- Any adjoining properties that affect it
- Easements
- Unpermitted or out of compliance additions, modifications, etc
- Soil problems.. sliding, etc
- Flooding etc
- Damage from fire, earthquake, floods, landslides
- Zoning violations
- Neighborhood nuisances
- Any deed restrictions
- Common areas
- Citations against the property
- Pending lawsuits
- Natural Hazard zone disclosure including seismic