Sellers are often required to list out all the physical aspects of their property to prospective home buyers. This increases clarity and facilitates a better sale. That is exactly where a seller disclosure statement comes into the picture.
Sometimes to make a quick and easy sale, sellers tend to disguise the defects in the house. However, if the buyer finds material defects later, the seller may face legal consequences. To avoid these, our guide will take you through seller disclosure New York.
What are Seller Disclosures?
The Seller Disclosure form is a standard checklist form containing material defects and features of the property. It specifically provides information about the property that may negatively affect the value of the house.
If there are material defects in a property that may impact the value of the property and the seller is aware of them, then the seller must disclose them. However, sellers should report these defects to the best of their knowledge and understanding.
The aim of Seller Disclosure is to maintain transparency in the real – estate transaction to keep the buyer aware of any defects present in the house.
Importance of Seller Disclosures
Seller’s disclosures serve the following purpose in real estate transactions:
| # | Importance | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 🔎 | Give Complete Information About The Property | Disclosures help communicate the defects present on the property. They ensure that all the stakeholders involved in the transaction are well aware of the property's history. |
| ⚖️ | Protects Sellers Against Legal Liabilities | Once you disclose all the known defects present in the house or which come to light during the inspection, you may be exempted from any future liability against those defects. |
| 👍 | Develops Credibility | Honesty, accuracy and transparency are of utmost importance when selling your house. Disclosures are a way of achieving all of these and thereby enhancing your credibility. |
Seller Disclosure New York Laws
The sellers in New York are bound by specific federal and state laws in relation to the sale of their property. Set out below are a few pointers revolving around New York seller disclosure laws.
Statute on Seller Disclosure New York
In New York, residential home sellers are required to disclose material information about the property to the buyer. §§ 460 — 467 of Article 14, Chapter – Real Property mandates the sellers to fill out the Property Condition Disclosure Statement. The Disclosure Statement is a questionnaire covering all aspects of the property. Once filled, the seller must deliver it to the buyer or buyer’s agent prior to the buyer signing the contract.
» Also Read: Foreclosure in New York – Read our blog to know how to stop foreclosures in New York.
Disclosure of Material Defects
Apart from stating various characteristics and important aspects of the property and structure, the seller must disclose material defects of the house to the prospective buyer.
- ✍️ Editor’s Note: Latent material defects are the ones which are not apparent or visibly recognizable defects, but they significantly affect the value of the property. Generally, these defects pose a threat to the safety or health of the occupants.
Also Read: Companies that buy houses for cash in New York – Find out the 9 Best Companies that Buy Houses for Cash in New York.
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure New York
Additionally, as mandated under Federal Law, the sellers must disclose if their property (if built prior to 1978) has been coated by lead-based paints. The Lead-based paint disclosure form for the seller should be filled out by the seller.
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» Also Read: Best Real Estate Websites in New York – Find out the best real estate websites in New York.
Most Common Mistakes By FSBO Home Sellers in Disclosures
The main object of disclosures in any area is to give clarity and perspective to a buyer. Buyers who are looking for a home usually have certain criteria in mind before searching for a home. A seller disclosure acts as a bridge to close these doubts, giving buyers a reason to have faith in you and your deal.
One of the biggest mistakes a seller can make is not giving disclosures at all. The lack of trust between a buyer and seller can demotivate a buyer from considering your property altogether. Hence, it is suggested that sellers complete all disclosure formalities as soon as possible, even though it may not be legally required in your state.
Likewise, sellers also get an option to mark a point as ‘unknown’ in disclosures. This gives you ample opportunity to be honest in your disclosures. Also, marking a certain disclosure clause as ‘unknown’ shifts the burden on a buyer to inspect that particular problem. Hence, don’t make the mistake of lying on your disclosures, as that would count as fraudulent misrepresentation and attract a lawsuit.
Most state laws prescribe that the disclosures should be provided before closing. As an FSBO seller, it is your duty to provide disclosures as soon as possible, since you do not have a real estate agent to do these things for you.
Also Read: New York Home Inspector – Find out the best home inspectors in New York.
- ✍️ Pro Tip: Sellers who are selling their house the FSBO way are advised to keep their Disclosure Statement ready before listing on the MLS. It increases your credibility and reliability from a buyer’s perspective, as they get an idea of the property’s condition early on.
Tips to Minimize Issues in New York Disclosure Documents
| Review And Verify | There’s a time allowance (some permit 10 days) to review and verify everything about your Purchase and Sales Agreement—also the square footage, home usage, and marketing. |
| Ask Questions | Ask questions when in doubt. This would help you in avoiding future troubles. |
| Hire A Professional Inspector | A professional inspector can help you gather backup information about the property’s condition. You can also opt for a pre-inspection before listing. » More: New York Home Inspections – Read everything you need to know about home inspection in New York. Average Cost of Home Inspection in New York – Read to know the average cost of home inspection in New York. |
| Disclose Everything | To avoid problems in your home disclosure statement disclose everything you know honestly. Even though it’s a minor issue, you must disclose it. |
| Get A Licensed Agent Involved | The best way to avoid disclosure issues is to get a licensed real estate agent. Agents can help you manage and assist you in the process along the way. » Best Realtor in New York – Find the best real estate agents in New York. |
- ✍️ Pro Tip: List Your Property With Houzeo
One of the best ways to minimize problems in your seller’s disclosure is to Purchase the “Contract to Close Upgrade Package”. A Licensed broker will review your paperwork to make sure it is appropriate. In addition, you should also have the settlement agent review the paperwork so you cover all bases.
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Also Read: Average Cost of Home Inspection in New York – Read to know the average cost of home inspection in New York.
Final Word: Complexity of Seller’s Disclosure in New York
| Level of Complexity | Average |
| Is New York a Caveat Emptor State? | No |
| Is New York a Non-Disclosure State? | No |
Disclosure laws in New York do not follow the rule of ‘caveat emptor,’ i.e. let the buyer beware. Thus, it is the seller’s duty to disclose all material defects or additional disclosures that may affect the monetary value of the house to the prospective buyer.
New York Seller’s Disclosures Statements are a little complicated. Selling your house FSBO is usually good, but then you would have to deal with all the disclosures on your own. This demands that you be aware of all the disclosure requirements and that any mistake can cost you dearly. Houzeo can help you with this.
- ✍️ Editor’s Note: Though selling your home yourself on a For Sale By Owner website can save you thousands in commission, we highly recommend you add a Flat Fee MLS listing to your marketing strategy. Check out the best Flat Fee MLS companies in New York.
By listing your property with Houzeo, you get access to all forms in electronic format. And that too, for FREE! Houzeo has segregated all the disclosures state-wise so that you don’t have to hunt for New York seller disclosures separately.
Check out some of the Houzeo Offers and how it has helped customers around the US.
*Seller disclosures are primarily the responsibility of a home seller. Regardless of the service, you engage in, you are required to ensure seller disclosures provided by you are complete and accurate to your best knowledge. Houzeo is not a brokerage or a licensed agent. It is a tech platform, and the tips presented here should not be construed as advice for which a real estate or attorney license is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are seller's disclosures required in New York?
Yes, sellers are required by law to disclose the information and defects in the property to the buyer.
Are sellers exempt from making disclosures? On what conditions?
Yes, sellers are exempt from making disclosures for the sale of the following - transfer order by the court, divorce, mortgage, bankruptcy, legal partition, or foreclosure.
What happens if the seller does not deliver the Disclosure Statement prior to the buyer signing the contract?
As stated under § 465 of Article 14 (Chapter - Real Property), the seller is duty-bound to pay the buyer $500 upon the purchase price of the residential real property.
