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What could go wrong if a seller doesn’t fully disclose information about their home? Selling real estate in 2026 comes with legal obligations to share certain details with buyers. Hiding or falsifying information can put the sale at risk and create unnecessary liability.
We worked with a buyer who closed on his dream luxury home in Oregon, only to find that much of the information about the home’s systems, features, and amenities was inaccurate and possibly falsified. The situation led both my client and the sellers to hire attorneys and take the matter to court.
To prevent bigger problems that could derail your sale, here are the key disclosures sellers need to know and why transparency is crucial.
1. Material defects. If your home has foundation cracks, roof leaks, or known plumbing or electrical problems, you must disclose them. Even if you repair these issues right before putting the home on the market, you still need to share that information with the buyer. They will also conduct their own inspections to assess these things, so hiding them isn’t worth the risk. Among Realtors, the rule is simple: disclose, disclose, disclose.
2. Repairs and renovations. Homes are often marketed as fully updated, remodeled, or renovated, but the actual scope of work is unclear. If your home has had any remodeling, it’s best to be upfront about what was done.
Buyers want to know what work was completed, whether it was permitted, who did the work, whether the contractors were licensed and bonded, and if any DIY work was involved. Being transparent about this helps the sale and avoids confusion later.
3. Environmental hazards. Today, buyers are increasingly concerned about environmental hazards such as high radon levels, mold, or buried oil tanks. We once worked with a seller who didn’t disclose an old oil tank in the backyard. Although the tank had been taken out of service years earlier, it had been leaking into the soil. Cleanup was very expensive and could have been avoided with proper upfront disclosure.
The disclosure process can feel complicated, but we’ve been helping buyers and sellers for nearly 21 years and know how to navigate it. Being proactive and transparent with disclosures protects you, your buyer, and the sale itself.
If you’re planning to buy or sell in 2026, let’s go over the disclosures you need to handle upfront to avoid costly surprises. Reach out anytime at will@fendonproperties.com, and we’ll guide you through the process.
