Imagine
that you have just moved into your new Charleston area property, and suddenly
you are up against some serious flaw you knew nothing about. Added on top of
the normal moving turmoil: now there’s this!
You didn’t have a chance to fix things up before you moved in because you were totally
in the dark concerning the problem. Imagine
the frustration, disappointment, and anger… Enter: lawsuit.
In
other words, for you as a seller, there are some pretty convincing reasons to
do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
A
disclosure is a written statement describing your obligations under state and
local laws regarding property flaws you know about. Your disclosure might
include structural defects—like leaking windows or cracks in the foundation. It
might include landscaping problems, like a branch that endangers a power line;
and in some areas could even include air pollution or other environmental
factors beyond your control. Any Charleston property issues that the law
specifies must be disclosed before the sale is finalized.
The
consequences for not following the law can be serious: they could mean a
lawsuit seeking the cost of repairs and other damages. In any case, you will
want to insulate yourself from these risks by making sure you’re informed about
the state of your property in Charleston, SC and by disclosing issues whether
or not they are discovered during inspection.
Full
disclosure isn’t just the surest way to protect yourself from future legal
action — it also lets you rest easy knowing you’ve done the right thing. Don’t
assume a buyer will lose interest in your property because there are flaws. All
properties have them, and by helping your buyers make informed decisions on
what they want to do before they move in, chances are you’ll boost their
confidence about the transaction. You’ll feel good knowing that you treated
your buyer as you’d want them to treat you, and you’ll feel even better knowing
that some non-disclosed property issue won’t come back to haunt you.
Preparing
to sell this winter? Contact me today to get your home listed and sold!
Interested in selling your Charleston
area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com
Interested in buying a Charleston
area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook Real Estate
Charleston, SC
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