"What Are My Legal Disclosure Obligations As A Home Seller?"
“When it comes to disclosures, honesty protects you.”
In California, sellers have serious legal disclosure responsibilities, and this is not an area to cut corners. You are required to fully and honestly disclose any material facts that could affect the value or desirability of your home.
Here are the key documents every seller must understand:
• TDS (Transfer Disclosure Statement): Details the condition of the property and any known defects
• SPQ (Seller Property Questionnaire): A deeper look into property history, repairs, issues, and neighborhood factors
• NHD (Natural Hazard Disclosure): Identifies if the property is in flood, fire, earthquake, or other hazard zones
If these are not completed fully and truthfully, you could face serious legal liability, including potential litigation if a buyer believes something was intentionally left out.
Additional best practices:
• Provide a Termite Report (if requested in the Residential Purchase Agreement). Section 1 repairs are often negotiated
• Allow buyers full access for inspections during escrow
• Include permits and documentation for any major renovations
🔑 Pro Tip from Broker Mike:
Complete your disclosures early and thoroughly, within the timelines in your contract. Transparency builds trust, protects you legally, and leads to smoother closings.
My role is to guide you through this process with clarity and confidence, so there are no surprises later.
Local Knowledge Isn’t Expensive…It’s Priceless!!!
Mike Brown | The Brown Team Real Estate Group I 760.822.8734
