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Seller's Property Disclosure  Out-of-state home buyers relocating to Massachusetts are sometimes surprised to learn that seller property disclosure forms are not required in our state. The 3-page VOLUNTARY form used by some (not all) of the real estate companies state are promulgated by the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and are brief in comparison to the required form from California, for instance, which is 10 pages in length. The voluntary nature of this seller's disclosure should put home buyers on guard but, unfortunately, many buyers are not aware of the consequence of not asking for the "extra" information at the appropriate time. Home buyers using a Buyer's Broker benefit from getting help to ask the right questions and explore issues that may affect the value of the property or create a hazard risk for them and their families. Since sellers are only required to disclose lead-based paint and urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), it is up to buyers and their home inspectors to undercover other possible adverse influences such as radon, asbestos, underground fuel tanks, etc. Take a peek at the 3-page SELLER'S PROPERTY DISCLOSURE form that covers title, zoning, system utilities, building and structural information and a special section for "water drainage problems".
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