Raymond Kerege - How To Sell Your Home Without An Agent

of damages suffered from the exposure. To make sure you won’t have to triple-pay, triple-check that you have done all you can to disclose any potential hazard materials in your home. For more information, visit the EPA website: www.epa.gov/lead. WHEN IN DOUBT, DISCLOSE The best way to ensure no repercussions of liability from lack of disclosure is to just sing like a canary. There is no such thing as “too much information” when it comes to transparency with your buyer. They have the right to know everything about the home they are buying, and it is morally and ethically your responsibility to tell all. However, just because you’ve disclosed a problem doesn’t mean the problem is yours. The buyer may negotiate potential costs of renovations into the deal. For example, if the cost to get the pipes fixed is appraised at $5,000, subtract the amount from the sales price. The buyer can use the savings to get the work done themselves. Some eager buyers even look the other way on a minor issue that will not affect their quality of living, in order to get a deal done as soon as possible. You and the prospective buyer will have a healthier and more productive negotiation when all the cards are laid out on the table. HOW TO DISCLOSE Once you’ve figured all that must be disclosed to your prospective homebuyer, you need to figure out the right way to divulge the information. There are specific forms in many states that use prompting questions and fill-ins so that it’s easy to complete and understand the reports of problems with your home. You must sign and date these forms to authenticate your disclosures. The buyer also must sign and date the forms. Even if your state does not mandate a form, to protect yourself in the future, it’s important to get a receipt or legally approved document signed by the buyer, confirming they have agreed with and have knowledge of all relevant disclosures. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you made a sale that both sides feel good about and that nothing will come back to haunt you.