What is a realtor allowed not to disclose when selling a house?

Question

What information can a realtor hide from you if the realtor has been made aware of it.

Answer 1

A Realtor® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics, which obligates Realtors® to be honest with all parties involved in a transaction, whether it is the buyer, seller, or cooperating agent.

A Realtor® may not disclose personal information about the seller if the seller wishes to have that information withheld. For example, the seller may wish to withhold information about a pending foreclosure, a recent divorce, recent death of spouse, loss of job, pending transfer....anything that my imply an urgency to sell.

Answer 2

It depends on who the Realtor is working for. If you're the Buyer, and the Realtor in question is working for the Seller, they are not to disclose anything that may hurt the transaction for his/her clients. Now, if the Realtor is working for you, they should not hide anything from you. This is one very good reason that you should hire an Accredited Buyer's Representative.

If you're the Seller, and the Realtor is selling for you, they shouldn't hide anything from you, especially Adverse Material Facts. In turn, you should not hide these from them, either. This may even be in your listing agreement.

In some states, anything that could psychologically stigmatize the transaction may not be disclosed by your Realtor, when selling your home, to any prospective Buyers. Also, there are other items in the Listing Agreement that cannot be disclosed to Buyers. I suggest you read your Listing Agreement carefully.

Best of luck!

Sean

Answer 3

do not listen to plaidman....he is wrong. a realtor must disclose and latent or hidden defects, but they are not required to disclose anything that is not apparent/obvious to them IF THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECT. realtors are also not liable for defects that may be discovered in inspections (home inspections, termite inspections, etc) that are out of their scope.

A realtor is an agent...they negotiate the sale, and are legally and ethically required to discolse all defects that they are AWARE of, or have knowledge of. they shouldn't "hide" anything that they know about, and if there is some obvious problem when showing the house (such as the toilet is leaking) they should point it out if they see it, and let the buyers/sellers know that the should either have it inspected or repaired.

Answer 4

A Realtor have to disclose every thing that is wrong with the property(If the Realtor knows abut it)

Answer 5

A Realtors goal is simply to sell houses. They need not, and usually do not, disclose less obvious faults of a house. Cynical? Yes. But this is my experience from buying/selling property.

Answer 6

In most states the seller has a long disclosure form he fills out with the listing. Ask the realtor to show you the disclosure form

Answer 7

does realtor have to disclose when there is a divorce sale property

Answer 8

There is only one thing: the lowest amount the seller will take.

Also any other personal information about the seller.
Everything concerning the property must be revealed.

Answer 9

With the experience that I've had they aren't suppose to hide anything, I believe they are suppose to tell you everything. But you should get an inspection done by yourself to make sure everything is right with the home.

Answer 10

Sellers motivation for selling