What Must You Disclose When Selling House in Michigan

Are you planning to place your home on the market? If so, then there are some things you’ll want to know.

When someone sells a house in the state of Michigan, they are required to disclose certain things about the property.

Failure to disclose these things may violate your agreement, or can lead to you be sued! Below are specifics about disclosures when selling a house.

If you are selling a house in Michigan, and you are aware of any environmental issues, you are required to disclose this information. Issues like lead paint, radon, contaminated soil, and asbestos should always be listed on the disclosure form.

It is very important that you are truthful with this information because it could land you in hot water if you aren’t. The state of Michigan takes environmental issues very seriously.

Does your roof leak? If it does then you should be upfront about it. A damaged roof is a major issue that you need to tell potential buyers about.

This will allow you to get more for your home. Some sellers try to avoid disclosing roof problems, however, it is never advisable to be dishonest.

Home Selling Process

Water damage is another issue that you are required to disclose. Even if the water damage is not visible, you are still required to list it on the form.

Many lawsuits have originated from sellers trying to hide the fact that their property had previous water damage.

You don’t want to end up in court by being less than truthful. Although you may feel it could bring down the value of your home, however, you can avoid a costly legal battle down the road.

Water damage is a serious issue that could produce toxic mold that could harm the health of any potential buyer. It is never a good idea to try to hide this type of issue.

Termites can cause serious damage to any property. They can eat away at the home causing thousands of dollars in damage. In just a short period of time, termites can undermine the structural integrity of the home.

In most cases, your home will need to be inspected for termites before the property changes hands. So even if you do fail to disclose termites they will be found during the inspection, and it may affect the integrity of the rest of the process.

Consider This When Pricing Your Home for Sale

Have you made any modifications to your home without a permit? If so then you are required to let the buyer know about them. Also, if you have done any work to the home without the help of a certified contractor you will need to disclose that as well.

This may seem like overkill, but some modifications can change the structural integrity of the home. It can also impact the home’s overall value. So make sure you list any modifications that you have done to the home.

Small home improvement jobs such as replacing the carpet or painting the living room are not covered under the disclosure law.

But for your benefit, you may want to let buyers know that you have just put in hardwood flooring or you have added new hardware to the kitchen cabinets.

If you are selling a house in Michigan you will need to tell the buyer about the appliances inside the home. This may come as a shock to many, but the state requires you to disclose this information.

Any appliance that is to be sold with the home needs to be in proper working order. If there are any issues with any of these appliances, it has to be noted. Washing machines, hot water heaters, and garbage disposals are just some of the things that should be listed.

However, if you are taking appliances with you, then you are not required to list them. If you have an appliance that is not working properly, you may want to have it removed before advertising your home. This will eliminate any misunderstanding.

Choose the Right Michigan Real Estate Agent

If any of the systems in and on your property have issues you will need to report them to the buyer. The water system, sewage, system, heating, and air system, are all covered under the disclosure agreement.

Some common issues that should be reported are leaking water pipes, a heating and air system that doesn’t cool properly, or a septic system that has been invaded by tree roots.

Unless you are going to fix these issues prior to selling your home, you will need to put them on the list.

Some states require you to disclose that suicide or homicide has occurred in the home. However, Michigan does not require you to disclose this information.

Now that you know what you have to disclose when selling a house in Michigan, make sure that you are totally honest.

Just one missed issue or item could potentially get you into legal trouble! It is always better to be safe than sorry.

You will be provided with a disclosure form at some point during the sale of your property. Fill it out to the best of your ability and be as open as possible.

The best source of information about local communities and real estate topics is your real estate agent. Give Joshua Norber of the Norber Real Estate Group a call today at 248-785-3737 to learn more about the area, discuss selling your house, or tour available homes for sale.