A seller cannot attempt to trick you into buying a home that isn’t worth what you’re paying by refusing to tell you about specific issues with that home. They may not have to give you every little detail, but there are things they’re required to disclose.
Many of the issues they have to tell you about relate to safety as well as the value of the house. You have a right to know how safe or unsafe that home is. If you still choose to buy it, that’s up to you, but you must know. Examples of issues that sellers have to disclose include:
- If lead paint was used in the home
- If the home has a pest infestation, such as termites
- If there are significant water issues, like a flooding basement
- If there are any boundary issues or disputes with the neighbors
Sellers may also have to tell you about damage that occurred at some time in the past that could make the home less safe. For instance, perhaps there was a fire in the attic and they did not have the whole thing rebuilt. Does that mean a collapse is more likely or that the attic is likely to catching on fire again? You need to know about these hazards.
When buying a home, it’s important to understand what information you can expect from the seller. Beyond that, if you already bought your house and then discovered these issues, you need to know what legal options you have. You may be able to take action based on the fact that they intentionally withheld information.