"Do I Really Have to Tell the Buyer About That?"
That's one of the most important questions a seller can ask.
Maybe the roof leaked five years ago.
Maybe you repaired a plumbing problem.
Maybe there was water damage in the garage.
Maybe you converted part of the garage.
Maybe you installed solar.
Maybe you had an insurance claim.
Maybe the house had termites.
Maybe there was a foundation repair.
Maybe you don't even remember exactly when it happened.
And then you think:
"It's fixed. Why would I need to tell them?"
That's where sellers need to slow down.
Because selling a home in California isn't simply about telling buyers what you love about the property.
There are also important obligations surrounding what you know about the property's condition and circumstances.
California's Department of Real Estate explains that residential sellers have disclosure responsibilities, and that buyers are entitled to information concerning the physical condition of the property and potential hazards or defects. The DRE also notes that an agent has responsibilities regarding readily observable defects.
So the better question isn't:
"Can I get away with not mentioning it?"
The better question is:
"What should I disclose so the buyer can make an informed decision?"
First: This Is Not a "Hide Nothing" vs. "Tell Everything" Situation
Some sellers hear the word disclosure and become nervous.
They imagine a giant document where they have to list every:
- Cracked plate.
- Broken light bulb.
- Scuffed wall.
- Old appliance.
- Minor repair.
That's not really the point.
The purpose of disclosure is to provide material information about the property and known conditions as required by law.
California's disclosure framework is detailed, and specific requirements can depend on the property and circumstances. The DRE's current materials explain that the California Civil Code's residential disclosure requirements generally apply to transfers of residential property containing one to four dwelling units, subject to statutory exemptions.
That's why sellers should work with their real estate professionals and, when appropriate, qualified legal or other specialists.
What Is a Transfer Disclosure Statement?
One of the most important documents California home sellers encounter is the:
Transfer Disclosure Statement
commonly called the:
TDS.
The TDS is designed to provide buyers with information about the property's condition and other relevant matters.
The DRE describes the disclosure as covering the physical condition of the property and potential hazards or defects, while also noting that additional disclosures may be required depending on the property.
The TDS Isn't Just a Paperwork Exercise
This is important.
Some sellers think:
"I'll just check the boxes and get it over with."
Don't.
Take your time.
Think about:
What do I actually know?
What repairs have happened?
What problems have occurred?
What improvements were made?
Were permits involved?
Do I have documentation?
Are there ongoing issues?
A thoughtful disclosure process can help prevent surprises later.
"But It's Already Fixed."
This is one of the most common seller questions.
Suppose you had:
A roof leak in 2021.
You repaired it.
Today:
No leak.
Does the fact that it was repaired automatically mean it is irrelevant?
Not necessarily.
The history of a material condition or repair can still be important.
A buyer may reasonably want to know:
What happened?
When?
Why?
Who repaired it?
Was the source fixed?
Were there related damages?
Are there invoices or reports?
That's why documentation matters.
Think About Disclosure This Way
You aren't necessarily telling the buyer:
"The house has a problem."
You may be telling them:
"This happened, here's what we know, here's what was done, and here's the documentation."
Those are very different messages.
Documentation Can Change the Conversation
Imagine a buyer discovers:
A water stain on the ceiling.
The seller says:
"Oh, that was fixed years ago."
The buyer immediately has questions.
Now imagine the seller can provide:
- A roofer's invoice.
- The date of repair.
- Photos.
- The scope of work.
- A warranty.
- Evidence that the source was repaired.
That's a much more complete story.
Keep Your Repair Records
If you've owned your home for 10, 15 or 20 years, you may have accumulated a small mountain of paperwork.
Don't throw it away.
Gather:
- Roof invoices.
- HVAC invoices.
- Plumbing invoices.
- Electrical invoices.
- Pest reports.
- Foundation reports.
- Engineering reports.
- Contractor invoices.
- Appliance warranties.
- Solar agreements.
- Permits.
- Remodel documentation.
- Insurance claim information.
Some of these documents can be extremely useful during the sale.
What About Unpermitted Work?
This is one of the issues sellers should discuss early.
Maybe you:
Enclosed a patio.
Converted a garage.
Added a bathroom.
Built an additional room.
Finished an attic.
Added electrical work.
Built an ADU.
If you're not sure whether permits were obtained:
Don't guess.
Investigate.
Talk with your real estate professional and, where appropriate, the relevant building department or qualified professional.
"Everyone in the Neighborhood Did It."
That doesn't answer the question.
Your neighbor may have:
A permitted addition.
You may have:
An unpermitted addition.
Or vice versa.
Don't use:
"Everybody does it."
as your documentation strategy.
What If You Don't Know Whether Something Was Permitted?
Say exactly that.
Don't make a statement you can't support.
You may need to investigate:
- City records.
- County records.
- Permit history.
- Building department records.
- Prior transaction documents.
The answer can matter to the buyer.
Why Unpermitted Work Can Become a Problem
A buyer may wonder:
Can I insure it?
Can I finance it?
Is the square footage legal?
Can I remodel it?
Will the city require changes?
Does it comply with current requirements?
The impact varies significantly depending on the work.
That's why it should be investigated rather than ignored.
Don't Automatically Call an Unpermitted Room a Bedroom
This is an important example.
Imagine a converted garage with:
- Flooring.
- Windows.
- Paint.
- A closet.
You may personally use it as a bedroom.
But that doesn't necessarily mean it should be represented as a legal bedroom.
There can be distinctions between:
How a space is used
and:
How it is legally recognized.
Get the facts before marketing it.
What About Square Footage?
This can be another area where sellers need to be careful.
If an addition wasn't properly permitted or documented, don't simply add that space to the advertised living area without understanding the property's records and applicable requirements.
Square footage is a major value factor.
Accuracy matters.
What About Solar?
Solar deserves its own conversation.
If your home has solar, buyers may need information about:
- Ownership.
- Financing.
- Lease arrangements.
- Power purchase agreements.
- Transfer requirements.
- Equipment.
- Warranties.
- Remaining obligations.
Don't wait until escrow to start looking for your solar paperwork.
What About an HOA?
If you're selling a property within an HOA, buyers may receive extensive HOA-related documents.
Those can include information about:
- Rules.
- Assessments.
- Financials.
- Insurance.
- Litigation.
- Reserve information.
- Meeting minutes.
- Special assessments.
- Restrictions.
Your agent and escrow/title professionals can help identify the documents that apply.
What About Mello-Roos?
We covered Mello-Roos in Blog #52.
If your property is subject to:
Mello-Roos
or other special taxes or assessments, that's important information for a buyer.
The DRE specifically notes that seller disclosure materials can address special taxes, assessments and other factors that may materially affect the value or desirability of a property.
This is another reason you shouldn't simply look at the basic property tax number.
What About Water Damage?
Water damage is one of the biggest areas where sellers should be careful.
Maybe you had:
A roof leak.
Maybe:
A plumbing leak.
Maybe:
A failed water heater.
Maybe:
A bathroom leak.
Maybe:
A drainage problem.
Maybe:
A storm caused damage.
Don't assume:
"It's dry now, so it doesn't matter."
The circumstances and required disclosures can depend on the facts.
Document what happened.
What About Mold?
If you have experienced mold or a mold-related issue, don't casually dismiss it.
Understand:
What caused it?
Was the source corrected?
Was remediation performed?
Was testing completed?
Are there reports?
Are there warranties?
Then discuss the appropriate disclosure with your real estate professional and, where appropriate, legal counsel or qualified specialists.
What About Termites?
If your home has had:
Termite treatment
or:
Wood-destroying pest work
keep the reports and invoices.
A buyer may ask:
What was found?
What was treated?
Was there damage?
Was it repaired?
Is there a warranty?
Documentation can turn a vague concern into a documented history.
What About Foundation Repairs?
Same principle.
Don't simply say:
"We fixed the foundation."
Get the documentation.
Was there:
- An engineer?
- A contractor?
- A report?
- A warranty?
- Permits?
- Photos?
If there was a significant structural repair, this is exactly the kind of issue where professional guidance is important.
What About Insurance Claims?
If the property has had significant insurance claims, discuss them with your real estate professional.
Buyers may have questions about:
- What happened.
- When it happened.
- What was repaired.
- Whether the issue remains.
- Whether documentation exists.
And there may be insurance-related implications for the buyer.
Don't wait until someone asks.
What About a Previous Fire?
A past fire is another example where:
"It was repaired"
doesn't necessarily end the conversation.
The buyer may want to know:
How extensive was the damage?
What was repaired?
Who performed the work?
Were permits obtained?
Are there reports?
Was the property restored?
Again, documentation matters.
What About a Death in the Home?
California has specific statutory rules concerning death on property and certain disclosure obligations.
This is an area where sellers should avoid making assumptions based on internet advice because the applicable rules can depend on the circumstances and timing.
If this is relevant to your property, ask your real estate professional or attorney about the applicable requirements.
What About a Neighborhood Problem?
Not every disclosure issue is inside the walls.
Potentially relevant information can include circumstances affecting the property's desirability or value.
For example:
- Significant nearby construction.
- Certain environmental hazards.
- Known nuisance conditions.
- Special assessments.
- HOA disputes.
- Certain land-use issues.
The specific facts matter.
Don't assume:
"If it's outside my property line, it doesn't matter."
What About a Noisy Neighbor?
This can be tricky.
Suppose you've had:
Years of problems with the neighbor.
Do you tell the buyer?
You should discuss the specific situation with your Realtor and, if necessary, legal counsel.
The key issue isn't whether every annoying neighbor interaction becomes a formal disclosure.
It's whether there is material information that needs to be disclosed.
Don't make the decision based on:
"I don't want to scare the buyer."
Make it based on:
"What are my disclosure responsibilities?"
What About a Nearby Development?
Suppose the empty field behind your house is going to become:
A 200-unit development.
If you know about a significant project, don't casually assume the buyer will never find out.
Depending on the circumstances, there may be disclosure implications.
Natural-hazard and other property-related disclosures can also apply depending on the situation. California's DRE materials emphasize that disclosure obligations are broader than any single form.
The "I Didn't Know" Defense
This is important.
Disclosure obligations are generally tied to what is known and applicable legal requirements.
That doesn't mean sellers have to be professional inspectors.
You aren't expected to know what you genuinely could not know.
But you shouldn't ignore obvious information either.
Sellers Aren't Home Inspectors
This is worth emphasizing.
A seller doesn't necessarily know:
What's behind every wall.
What's under every floor.
What's inside every pipe.
That's why inspections exist.
But if you know:
The roof leaks
you can't reasonably pretend you don't know.
What About an Old Problem You Forgot About?
This is one reason I recommend sellers start the disclosure process early.
Go through:
Old paperwork.
Previous inspection reports.
Repair invoices.
Emails.
Permits.
Insurance documents.
You may remember things you had completely forgotten.
Your House Has a History
If you've owned your house for a long time, think of the property as having a file.
Maybe:
2008 — New roof
2012 — Plumbing repair
2015 — Bathroom remodel
2018 — HVAC replacement
2020 — Water damage
2021 — Roof repair
2023 — Solar
2025 — New electrical panel
That's valuable information.
Don't wait until escrow to reconstruct it.
Start Your Seller File Before You List
Create a folder—physical or digital—with:
Property
- Deed information.
- Tax information.
- HOA documents.
Improvements
- Remodels.
- Additions.
- Solar.
- Landscaping.
- Major systems.
Repairs
- Roof.
- Plumbing.
- HVAC.
- Electrical.
- Foundation.
Reports
- Inspections.
- Pest reports.
- Engineering reports.
- Sewer reports.
Documentation
- Permits.
- Invoices.
- Warranties.
- Insurance claims.
This can make the transaction much smoother.
The Pre-Listing Inspection Can Help
This connects directly to Blog #53.
A pre-listing inspection can help you identify issues before putting the home on the market.
It can also help you decide:
What to repair.
What to disclose.
What to document.
What to leave alone.
It doesn't replace your disclosure obligations.
But it can give you more information.
Should You Give the Buyer Your Old Inspection Reports?
This depends on the transaction and circumstances.
If you have existing reports, tell your real estate professional about them.
California's disclosure framework contemplates the use of existing inspection reports and disclosures in appropriate circumstances. The 2026 DRE materials specifically address coordination of existing disclosures and reports.
Don't decide on your own to hide or distribute documents without understanding the implications.
What If the Buyer Finds Something You Didn't Disclose?
Now you have a problem.
The buyer may ask:
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Even if the issue wasn't intentional, the situation can become more difficult.
That's why early disclosure conversations are so valuable.
More Disclosure Doesn't Mean You Are Killing the Sale
Sellers sometimes worry:
"If I tell them about the roof repair, nobody will buy the house."
Maybe a buyer will have concerns.
But hiding it doesn't make the concern disappear.
It can make the situation worse.
A transparent seller can say:
"Here's what happened. Here's the repair. Here's the invoice. Here's the warranty."
That's a much stronger position.
Buyers Understand That Houses Have Problems
This is something sellers sometimes forget.
Especially in the East Bay, many homes have:
30, 40, 50 or more years of history.
Buyers don't necessarily expect perfection.
They expect:
Honesty.
Information.
Documentation.
A fair price.
The Real Problem Is Surprises
A buyer can handle:
"The roof is 18 years old."
They have a harder time handling:
"We didn't know the roof leaked."
A buyer can handle:
"The garage conversion is unpermitted."
They may have a much bigger problem discovering it after they thought it was a legal bedroom.
Disclosure Can Actually Strengthen Your Listing
This may sound strange.
But consider two homes.
Home A
Seller says:
"Everything is perfect."
Then the inspection finds:
- Roof concerns.
- Plumbing issues.
- Old electrical.
- Prior water damage.
Home B
Seller says:
"Here are the known issues. Here are the reports. Here are the repairs."
Which seller looks more credible?
The second one.
Transparency Builds Confidence
Real estate transactions are built on trust.
Buyers are making one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.
They don't expect the home to have:
Zero imperfections.
They expect the information to be accurate.
What About "As-Is"?
We touched on this in Blog #53.
Selling a home:
"As-is"
does not mean:
"I don't have disclosure responsibilities."
Those are two different concepts.
"As-is" generally concerns the condition in which the buyer is agreeing to purchase the property; it does not magically erase applicable statutory disclosure requirements.
California's DRE materials emphasize that sellers and agents must make disclosures required by law and that the disclosure obligations extend beyond a single form.
"As-Is" Is Not a Shield
Don't think:
"I'll just put AS-IS everywhere."
and assume you've solved the problem.
You haven't.
The better approach is:
Disclose.
Document.
Price appropriately.
Market honestly.
What If You Don't Want to Repair Something?
That's okay.
You don't necessarily have to fix every defect before selling.
But understand:
What it is.
What it costs.
What needs to be disclosed.
How it affects value.
Then develop a strategy.
What If a Buyer Asks a Question You Don't Know the Answer To?
Don't guess.
This is important.
If a buyer asks:
"When was the roof replaced?"
and you don't know:
Don't say:
"Probably 2018."
Say:
"I don't know. Let me see if I can find the documentation."
Accuracy beats confidence.
What If You Think Something Is Fine?
Again:
Don't guess.
If you're unsure whether something is:
A structural issue
A code issue
A permit issue
An insurance issue
A legal disclosure issue
ask the appropriate professional.
Your Realtor can help you identify who should answer the question.
Your Realtor Is Not Your Attorney
This distinction matters.
A real estate agent can help you navigate the transaction and identify disclosure issues.
But some questions are legal questions.
If you're dealing with:
- Significant litigation.
- Complex estate issues.
- Unpermitted construction.
- Boundary disputes.
- Environmental issues.
- Major structural concerns.
- Complex insurance matters.
you may need advice from a qualified attorney or other professional.
Your Realtor Is Not Your Inspector Either
Your agent should not pretend to diagnose:
Foundation movement.
Roof failure.
Mold.
Electrical hazards.
Structural defects.
A good agent should know when to say:
"Let's get the right professional involved."
The Seller's Disclosure Meeting Should Happen Early
Don't wait until:
Two days before listing.
Start early.
That gives you time to:
- Find documents.
- Order reports.
- Ask questions.
- Investigate repairs.
- Fix issues if desired.
- Make informed pricing decisions.
A Simple Seller Disclosure Preparation Checklist
Before listing, gather:
Property History
☐ How long have you owned the property?
☐ Who has lived there?
☐ Are there tenants?
☐ Have there been major repairs?
Roof
☐ Age
☐ Repairs
☐ Replacement
☐ Invoices
☐ Warranty
Plumbing
☐ Leaks
☐ Repairs
☐ Sewer work
☐ Water heater
Electrical
☐ Panel upgrades
☐ Rewiring
☐ Major repairs
HVAC
☐ Installation date
☐ Replacement
☐ Service records
Structure
☐ Foundation work
☐ Structural reports
☐ Engineering documents
Water
☐ Flooding
☐ Leaks
☐ Water intrusion
☐ Drainage
Pests
☐ Termites
☐ Pest reports
☐ Treatment
Remodeling
☐ Kitchen
☐ Bathrooms
☐ Additions
☐ Garage conversion
☐ ADU
☐ Permits
Solar
☐ Ownership
☐ Lease
☐ Loan
☐ PPA
☐ Transfer requirements
HOA
☐ Dues
☐ Assessments
☐ Special assessments
☐ Rules
☐ Litigation information
Insurance
☐ Major claims
☐ Repairs
☐ Documentation
The Seller Disclosure "Red Flag" List
Before you list, stop and think if your property has experienced:
- Water intrusion.
- Flooding.
- Fire.
- Mold.
- Termites.
- Foundation problems.
- Roof problems.
- Major plumbing issues.
- Electrical problems.
- Sewer problems.
- Unpermitted improvements.
- Structural repairs.
- Significant insurance claims.
- Boundary disputes.
- HOA disputes.
- Special assessments.
- Solar obligations.
- Major neighborhood changes.
This isn't a statement that every item automatically requires a particular disclosure.
It's a list of things that deserve a conversation.
What About Natural Hazards?
California has specific disclosure requirements relating to natural hazards.
Depending on the property, buyers may receive information regarding matters such as:
- Flood zones.
- Wildfire hazards.
- Earthquake-related hazards.
- Seismic zones.
- Other mapped hazards.
The applicable disclosure depends on the property and governing law.
The DRE's current real estate law materials specifically address Natural Hazard Disclosure Statements and related statutory requirements.
Don't Assume "I've Never Had a Problem" Means There Is Nothing to Disclose
Suppose your property is in:
A mapped hazard area.
You may never have experienced a problem.
That doesn't necessarily eliminate the disclosure.
Some disclosures concern characteristics or hazards affecting the property, not simply whether you personally experienced damage.
Why East Bay Sellers Should Take This Seriously
The East Bay has a huge variety of housing stock.
You may be selling:
A 1960s ranch.
A 1970s two-story home.
A 1990s subdivision property.
A newer construction home.
A condominium.
A townhome.
An older custom home.
Each property can have a completely different disclosure history.
Older Homes Require More Historical Thinking
If your home is 40 or 50 years old, think about:
What has been replaced?
What hasn't?
What was remodeled?
What was added?
What was repaired?
What documentation exists?
The older the home, the more useful a historical review can become.
Don't Let Your Memory Be Your Only Record
You may remember:
"We replaced the roof."
But:
When?
Who did it?
Was it permitted?
What material was used?
Is there a warranty?
That's why documentation matters.
What About the Buyer Asking for a Credit?
Suppose the buyer discovers a problem.
They request:
$15,000 credit.
Don't immediately panic.
First ask:
What is the issue?
Is the buyer's concern reasonable?
What does the inspection say?
What does a contractor say?
What are the alternatives?
Sometimes the right answer is:
Repair.
Sometimes:
Credit.
Sometimes:
Price adjustment.
Sometimes:
No change.
Negotiation should be based on facts.
Disclosure Can Help You Negotiate Better
Here's the irony.
Sellers sometimes think disclosure weakens them.
Sometimes it does the opposite.
If you've already disclosed:
The roof is older
and provided:
A recent roof inspection
you may prevent a buyer from treating the issue as a surprise.
That's different from the buyer discovering it unexpectedly.
The Goal Is Not to Create a Perfect Disclosure Package
The goal is:
Accurate information.
You want the buyer to understand:
What the seller knows.
What the reports show.
What has been repaired.
What remains.
What documentation exists.
That creates a healthier transaction.
The Biggest Seller Disclosure Mistakes
Mistake #1: "It's Fixed, So I Don't Need to Mention It."
Not necessarily.
Mistake #2: "The Buyer Can Inspect It."
Buyer inspections don't automatically eliminate seller disclosure responsibilities.
Mistake #3: "It's Not a Big Deal."
You don't get to decide solely based on how inconvenient the information feels.
Mistake #4: "My Neighbor Did the Same Thing."
Irrelevant.
Mistake #5: "I Don't Remember."
If you genuinely don't know, say so and investigate when appropriate.
Mistake #6: "As-Is Means I Don't Have to Disclose."
Wrong approach.
Mistake #7: Guessing
If you don't know:
Don't invent an answer.
Mistake #8: Throwing Away Old Reports
Keep them.
Mistake #9: Waiting Until Escrow
Start before listing.
Mistake #10: Treating Disclosure as a Threat
Disclosure is part of a professional transaction.
What I Tell Sellers
Before we put a house on the market, I want to understand:
What happened to this property?
Not just:
What does it look like today?
Because the history can matter.
A house that looks perfect today may have had:
A major roof leak last year.
A house that looks original may have had:
A $100,000 renovation.
A garage may have been:
Converted years ago.
Solar may have:
A remaining loan.
An HOA may have:
A pending assessment.
The goal isn't to scare the buyer.
The goal is to know the story.
The Best Time to Find a Problem Is Before the Buyer Does
This is the theme I want sellers to remember.
If there's an issue:
Find it early.
Understand it.
Document it.
Decide how to address it.
Disclose it appropriately.
That's a much better position than discovering it during negotiations.
Your Home Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
This is worth repeating.
California homes have:
History.
Wear.
Repairs.
Improvements.
Imperfections.
That's normal.
The objective isn't:
"Make the house look like nothing has ever happened."
The objective is:
Tell the story accurately.
The Bottom Line
If you're preparing to sell your East Bay home, don't wait until you've accepted an offer to start thinking about disclosures.
Start now.
Pull out the old invoices.
Find the permits.
Locate the roof warranty.
Find the pest report.
Find the solar paperwork.
Look at the old inspection reports.
Think about the repairs.
Think about the water damage.
Think about the remodels.
Think about the things you've forgotten.
Then have a conversation with your real estate professional about what information needs to be disclosed and whether any issues should be reviewed by an attorney, inspector, contractor, engineer or other qualified professional.
The California Department of Real Estate makes clear that disclosure obligations are an important part of residential transactions and that sellers and agents have responsibilities that extend beyond simply completing paperwork.
And here's the lesson I want every seller to remember:
A buyer can handle a problem much more easily than they can handle a surprise.
If your home has a history, tell the story accurately.
If something was repaired, document it.
If something isn't known, don't guess.
If something is complicated, get the right professional involved.
And if you're not sure what to do:
Ask before you list—not after you're in escrow.
Waleed "Walter" Akbar
Everhome Real Estate
📞 (510) 541-1610
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Transfer Disclosure Statement?
The Transfer Disclosure Statement, commonly called the TDS, is a California disclosure document used in applicable residential transactions to provide buyers with information about the property's condition and other relevant matters.
Does every California home sale require a TDS?
Not every transaction is subject to the same disclosure requirements. California law contains exemptions and special circumstances, so sellers should determine which disclosures apply to their specific transaction.
What does a seller have to disclose?
The exact obligations depend on the property and circumstances, but California disclosure requirements generally address known material facts, property condition, hazards and defects. The DRE explains that sellers and agents have disclosure responsibilities in residential transactions.
Do I have to disclose a repair that has already been fixed?
Don't assume that a repaired problem is automatically irrelevant. Discuss the history with your real estate professional and determine what should be disclosed based on the circumstances.
Do I have to disclose water damage?
If you have experienced water damage or a significant water-related problem, discuss the circumstances with your Realtor and determine the appropriate disclosure.
Do I have to disclose a roof repair?
A significant roof repair or known roof issue may be relevant to the buyer. Keep the documentation and discuss the appropriate disclosure.
Do I have to disclose an unpermitted remodel?
Don't assume that unpermitted work can simply be ignored. Investigate the work and discuss the appropriate way to represent and disclose it.
What if I don't know whether an improvement was permitted?
Don't guess. Investigate the property's permit history where appropriate.
Does selling a home "as-is" eliminate disclosure requirements?
No. "As-is" should not be treated as a substitute for legally required disclosures.
Do buyers still get a home inspection if I provide disclosures?
Yes, buyers may still conduct their own inspections and investigations. A seller's disclosure does not replace the buyer's due diligence.
Should I get a pre-listing inspection?
It can be a useful strategy because it can help identify issues before the home is marketed. It does not eliminate applicable disclosure obligations.
Should I provide old inspection reports?
Tell your Realtor about any existing reports. The applicable rules and circumstances should be reviewed before deciding how they should be handled.
What if I genuinely don't know the answer to a buyer's question?
Don't guess. Tell your agent that you don't know and determine whether the information can or should be verified.
Can my Realtor tell me what I legally have to disclose?
Your Realtor can explain the transaction and disclosure process and help identify issues, but legal questions may require advice from a qualified attorney.
Can I be sued if I fail to disclose something?
Potential legal consequences can depend on the facts, applicable law and circumstances. If you're concerned about a specific issue, seek appropriate legal advice rather than relying on a generic internet answer.
What documents should I gather before selling?
Useful records can include repair invoices, permits, inspection reports, warranties, pest reports, solar documents, HOA information, insurance records and documentation for major improvements.
Related East Bay Resources
- What Should You Fix Before Selling Your East Bay Home?
- How to Price Your East Bay Home for Sale
- Should You Get a Pre-Listing Home Inspection?
- Should You Sell Your Home As-Is?
- How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Home in California?
- How Does Home Staging Affect a Sale?
- How to Prepare Your Home for Professional Real Estate Photography
- What Are the Biggest Seller Mistakes?
- How to Choose the Right Realtor in the East Bay
- What Happens After You List Your Home?
- How to Sell an Older East Bay Home
- How to Sell a Home With Solar
- How to Sell a Home With an HOA
- How to Sell a Home That Needs Repairs
- How to Compare Multiple Offers
- Should You Accept the Highest Offer?