Selling Your California Home? Here’s What You Legally Can’t Keep Secret

**Selling Your California Home? Here’s What You Legally Can’t Keep Secret**

Think of your home like a first date—you wouldn’t hide a shady past or a leaky roof, right? (Wait, maybe you would. Don’t.) In California, sellers are legally required to spill the beans on a home’s flaws. Skip this step, and you’re not just risking awkwardness—you’re risking lawsuits. At Alex Knaub & Associates, we’re here to help you disclose like a pro, dodge legal landmines, and sell with confidence. Let’s dive in!

**The Golden State’s “Tell-All” Rule: What You Must Disclose**

California’s Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) isn’t a suggestion—it’s the law. Here’s your cheat sheet for what you can’t sweep under the rug:

1. Structural Skeletons in the Closet

Foundation cracks (the kind that hint at tectonic plate drama).
Roof issues (if your attic doubles as a water feature, say so).
Termite tenants (spoiler: buyers hate uninvited bugs).

2. Water Woes: From Drips to Disasters

Flooding history (even if it was just that one El Niño year).
Mold mysteries (black spots = big red flags).
Plumbing problems (leaky pipes aren’t charming quirks).

3. Reno Regrets

Unpermitted upgrades (that “spa bathroom” you DIY’d? Yeah, that needs a permit).
Shoddy electrical work (flickering lights aren’t “ambient”).
HVAC hiccups (sweltering summers aren’t a selling point).

4. Environmental “Oops”

Lead paint (homes built pre-1978—spill the toxic tea).
Asbestos (the 70s called; they want their insulation back).
Radon risks (invisible, odorless, and very lawsuit-worthy).

Fun Fact: 1 in 5 California real estate lawsuits stem from disclosure disputes. Don’t be a statistic!

The Cost of Playing Hide-and-Seek with Buyers

Skip a disclosure, and you could face:

Lawsuits: Buyers can sue for repair costs, reduced property value, or even undo the sale.
Fines: California doesn’t play nice with rule-breakers.
Reputation Ruin: Word gets around. Future buyers might ghost you.

Real-Life Horror Story: A San Diego seller forgot to mention a hidden mold issue. The buyer sued—and won $85k in repairs + legal fees. Ouch.

Buyers’ Payback: How They Can Come After You

Found your secret stash of defects? Buyers can:

Sue for Fraud or Misrepresentation (hello, financial ruin).
Demand a Price Reduction or Repairs (cha-ching!).
Cancel the Sale Entirely (and keep your earnest money).

Their Playbook:

Document everything (photos, inspector reports, your Instagram brag about “fixing” that leak).
Hire a real estate attorney (like us, but on the other side).
File a claim faster than you can say “as-is clause.”

Why Skipping a Lawyer is Like Forgetting Parachutes

Disclosure forms are trickier than a Rubik’s Cube. At Alex Knaub & Associates, we:

Spot Hidden Risks: That “minor” crack? It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Draft Bulletproof Disclosures: No vague language, no loopholes.
Negotiate Peace Treaties: If buyers get feisty, we mediate like pros.

Ready to Disclose Like a Pro? Let’s Talk!

Don’t let a paperwork slip-up turn your sale into a courtroom drama. At Alex Knaub & Associates, we’ve helped hundreds of sellers nail their disclosures—and sleep soundly after closing.

📞 Call 951-923-2539 today. Because honesty isn’t just the best policy—it’s the only way to sell safe in California.

Alex Knaub & Associates – Your Partners in Painless (and Lawful) Home Sales.

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