My wife and I are about to go look at a house, but the price is really low and I'm worried there's something wrong with it. If I ask the realtor if there's anything wrong- no toxic mould or foundation issues or whatever, he has to tell me the truth, right?
I'm in North Carolina, if that helps.
2007-12-26 09:24:20 · 10 answers · asked by anonymous 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Along with the sales contract, you should receive a copy of the property disclosure form. You can see a free preview of the form for North Carolina here:
http://www.uslegalforms.com/nc/NC-37014.htm Just click on "Free Preview (pdf)"
2007-12-26 09:30:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Realtor, most likely, has never lived in the property thus wouldn't know much about the condition of the house you are considering. You can ask the Realtor about things but he won't give you an answer if he doesn't know. The seller would likely fill out a disclosure form which states everything the know about the condition of the house and fibbing on this form is a major legal NO NO. Still, I don't suggest you take this information for granted and have the house inspected by a professional home inspector to get the real truth.
2007-12-26 19:37:07 · answer #2 · answered by linkus86 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this Realtor is YOUR buyers-agent..and he/she is AWARE of any/all defects..then yes. If the agent is the sellers-agent, the answer is yes..but only if they're aware of the information. Sellers can often hide things from their Realtors..in hopes that they can just sweep things under the rug (for lack of a better phrase). A sellers-agent is sworn to uphold confidentiality to the seller...but not if its something that is a "glaring fault" (leaky pipes..flooded basement..cracked foundation..etc). Other things, such as mold inside the walls..that isn't able to be seen for face-value..may be things that the seller him/herself may know about. If this is the case, their agent wont know about it.
Your best bet is to hire a home inspector to do a THOROUGH inspection of the home you're interested in. Any defects, if there..will come up in the final report. Also ask the inspector to be sure to do a mold/radon test as well.
Remember, us Realtors only know what we're told. Buyers-agents only know what the sellers-agent tells us, and the sellers-agent only knows what the seller tells us...and even then..only if the seller is honest or knows about.
Get that inspection!
2007-12-26 23:37:39 · answer #3 · answered by :-) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully this is YOUR realtor, and not the SELLER'S realtor!
If not, they're only going to have to hand over the owner's disclosure form and keep their lips locked unless you ask a direct question they might know the answer to.
Have your realtor do a thorough check on the property, and then have a home inspector go over the place with a fine tooth comb!
2007-12-27 01:47:07 · answer #4 · answered by DEACTIVATED 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Real estate agents are to disclose only material facts of which they have knowledge. Of course, not owning a house generally means that such knowledge is limited to what the seller tells the real estate agent. Your offer to purchase should include a copy of the seller statement of condition of the property.
2007-12-26 17:55:35 · answer #5 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are required to disclose all information they about the house. They are not required to give any info about the seller.
get a home inspection from a NACHI member
check out NACHI.org and hud.gov for info on buying a house
2007-12-26 17:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by Tom M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, he can lie, or whatever it takes to sell the house. It's your responsibility to find out what's wrong with it yourself before you buy the house. In other words, look real hard! Or have an investigation done on the house. I hear you can look anywhere you want in the house when you are looking at it. The cabinets, the closets, etc. I'd check to make sure there is no pressboard in the house, taking the place of real wood, if I were you.
2007-12-26 17:55:58 · answer #7 · answered by Ive Got Answers 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The SELLER, by law, is required to disclose this. It's only a realtor problem if they know it and don't disclose it
2007-12-26 17:28:29 · answer #8 · answered by jwishz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, i suggest making an offer assuming it passes inspection. You pick the inspector. They should pick up on any big issues.
2007-12-26 17:35:11 · answer #9 · answered by in COGNITO * 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you ask, the yes it is illegal. If you're really concerned I will get her to write a written contract.
2007-12-26 17:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋