what's the law??

Question

I know in certain States and countries it is mandatory for a realestate agent to tell thier clients if there are physical damages to the house.

But is it madatory to tell the clients if there are things that happened in that house like a murder or suicide or if it was a crack house??

for exaple if a couple with thier kids move to a new town and they are not aware that the worst murder that town has seen happened in the house that they are buying. And the realator does not tell them and sells it for the going rate in that area. Once the couple finds out they are creeped out and want to move but no one wants to buy that house if they sell it they would probably take a loss in the price.

Is it law for the realetor to disclose that information in certain states or countries.
What is the specific law and how does it work?

it's not just the moral issue, but I would never be able to sell it for as much as I paid for it

Answer 1

Here's the easy answer:
I'm aware of no state law that would force this type of disclosure. It's an ethical issue with the Realtor and neighbors you may talk with before purchase (they want you to pay more to help their values). It's not a legal issue.
The reason is someone being murdered on the property has nothing to do with the actual condition of the property. The physical condition of the foundation and the home is not impacted because of any particular event, no matter how horrific, which occurred within that structure. If that were the case, every place where such events occurred would have to be raised or devalued as a structure.
That said, you can take out an add in any paper or magazine that discloses the name of the agent who did this to you. You can also go to local reporters on television and newsprint, and the Better Business Bureau. Cause pain for that Realtor and their company.
Just remember, it's all in your head about something being wrong with the property because it was once used as a human butcher shop.
Caveat: If blood starts flowing from the spigots of the plumbing, then please pardon me for being an insensitive schmuck and I completely apologize.

Answer 2

I have to agree with acermill. I am an agent in Pennsylvania, and if there is no physical defects to the house it does not need to be disclosed.

If you are curious about a particular property, ask your agent. If there was a murder in the house, especially if it was the worst in town, your agent should be aware of it. Some agents may not be aware of a suicide unless it was recent.

You should be able to go to your state's real estate commission website and find out the law.

Answer 3

yes it is a law and they do have to disclose anything about this house including the fact that a murder took place there . As far as the price thing goes yes you will take a price cut . Why are you creeped out by that just get a minister to bless your house and tell the spirits to cross over . If the realtor did not disclose this to you i think you have an excellent case of getting your money back but I would see a real estate attorney first and see what he or she says . good luck .

Answer 4

The law varies from state to state. I practice real estate in Wisconsin, and this state's law is as follows:

Wis. Stats. Sec. 452.23(2) (a) states that a licensee is not required to disclose "that a property was the site of a specific act or occurrence, if the act or occurrence had no effect on the physical condition of the property or any structure located on the property." This statute is intended to apply to "stigmatized properties" which have been or are the site of a murder, suicide, a haunting or other notorious events which do not physically damage the property.

As a matter of reality, we encourage sellers to make such disclosures in their "Owner's Statement of Condition", but if the owner refuses, we are not to disclose it on our own.

Answer 5

FORGET THE LAW AND DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
In most states all you have to do is go the the local police department, and request a printout of all of the calls within XX number of miles from an address. In California they will charge you $5 for a print out of ALL of calls to the police within three miles of the address within the last three months. .

I had a friend that purchased a house and undesirable keep coming to their house. Cars would be parked outside waiting and at first they thought maybe it was a stake out. They called the police to report something was going on in their neighborhood. That when they found out they had purchased a former drug house.

The former owner played dump and claim that he did not know why the former renters decided to move out.??? They were stuck with the house, and they ended up installing all types of security systems around their house.

Answer 6

I watch the new episodes of Law & Order: SVU.