Selling Your Home Series: Disclosures and Inspections

Both the Seller and the Listing Agent are required to disclose all known material defects, repairs and alterations made to the home. Disclosures allow the Buyer the opportunity to review available information prior to writing an offer.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual examination done by a licensed professional. A thorough inspection will examine the interior and exterior structures, systems and components of the structure including the roof, basement or crawlspace, foundation and structure, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, fireplace, attic, insulation and ventilation, doors, windows of a residential property.

Examples of things that need to be disclosed and provided to the Buyer:

• Roof age and warranty paperwork, if applicable.
• Furnace age and manuals, if applicable.
• Central Air conditioning age, warranty, and 
manuals, if applicable.
• Hot water heater age, warranty, and manuals.
• Dates of any home improvement projects
or remodels. This could include the kitchen
bathroom(s) window installation, carpet and
flooring, and outdoor amenities.

• Age of any included appliance, manuals, and
warranties, if applicable.
• Dates and reports on any repairs made to the home.
• Permits or Certificates of Compliance that apply,
which could include decks, sheds, and fencing.
• Written and verbal estimates of work to be done.
• Anything that may affect the value or desirability
of the property.
• Title report showing clear title and loan balances.

Why Are Up Front Inspections Important?

We live in a competitive marketplace that requires a highly proactive mindset to sell a property at the most optimal price. If a Buyer is considering multiple homes similar to yours, it is to your advantage to have material facts presented up front so there are no surprises when the time comes for an offer and possible negotiations. It is important to note that a Buyer may want to do their own inspections for a deeper understanding of the condition of the property. This is a normal practice.

What Are Disclosures?

During our Buying Your Dream Home Series, we wrote an entire article explaining disclosures. We'll summarize it again below.

You can request a disclosure package from the listing agent for every home you're interested in making an offer on. Disclosures list general information about the home and both the seller and listing agent have to disclose all material facts they know about the home so you are aware of anything that might affect your decision.

General Disclosures

There are several types of general disclosures, all of which we've listed below:

Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) and Supplemental Property Questionnaire (SPQ)

These are questionnaires completed by the Seller about the property.


Preliminary Title Report


Provided by the Title Company, this report shows ownership of the parcel, as well as any liens and encumbrances thereon which will not be covered 
under a subsequent title insurance policy.


Property Inspection Report


This report examines the overall functionality 
and condition of the home including appliances,
 mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Pest Inspection Report


This report examines structural damage due to
 wood boring beetles, termites, and dry rot.


Agent’s Visual Inspection Disclosure (AVID)


It is required for both the listing and selling agents 
to complete a visual inspection of the property.


Natural Hazard Zone Disclosure (Property
ID or JCP Report)


This report details how the property might be 
affected by natural hazards like an Earthquake,
 Wildfire, Tsunami or Flood based on its specific
 location.

If you have any further questions regarding disclosures and buying your dream home, please contact us today for a free consultation.