Selling a piece of real estate is a stressful endeavor. Even if you are a pro selling in a high-demand area, there are often complications that can demand extra attention. One of the most common sources of such complication is the disclosures. Disclosures are intended to reveal all relevant issues and potential problems relating to a piece of property—if they are incomplete, a seller can be held legally liable.
According to the California Department of Real Estate, in addition to disclosing relevant information, buyers and sellers should both visually inspect a property prior to entering a contract. Be on the lookout for the following three details during an inspection and in the disclosures of a property, too.
1. Pests and pest damage
Any damage to a home should be in the disclosures, but this is especially true if the damage is due to a pest infestation. The presence of termites, roaches and other unwelcome guests—past or present—is information that buyers will want to know. Be upfront and honest about any pest problems that have plagued the property as well as the damage that may have happened because of it.
2. Paranormal activity
You might be surprised to learn that sellers must disclose any paranormal activity that has occurred on their property to potential sellers. Yes, if you are hearing footsteps at night and seeing apparitions, you need to detail these events in the disclosures. While the veracity of these experiences may be questionable, it is up to buyers to decide whether they want to buy potentially haunted property.
3. Neighborly issues
If you have ever had a surly neighbor, you know what a struggle it can be to be in close proximity to somebody who is less than friendly toward you. For this reason, any problems that you have encountered with a neighbor should be in the disclosures. This is not just limited to social interactions—if there is a boundary dispute or related issue, you need to disclose this, too.
