Definition of "Full disclosure"

Mike Flannagan real estate agent

Written by

Mike Flannaganelite badge icon

RE/MAX Select Properties

In a broader sense, Full Disclosure means presenting all information (significant or not, classified or not) related to a certain matter.

In Real Estate, the term “Full Disclosure” can be used in different situations… it can be used as a requirement for a lender to disclose to borrowers the effective cost of a loan; its terms, conditions and all the fine print. But also, and more commonly, to refer to a requirement a real estate broker – or a home seller going the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route – has of providing all known information about the condition of a property - its structural flaws, its average energy consumption, its blueprint etc. – to the home buyer. If after the sale the home buyer discovers information discrepancy both the real estate broker and the former homeowner are eligible to get sued for not giving the full disclosure.

That’s why the services of a home inspector are so important. It becomes his/her responsibility to disclose all the problems of the house. Any liability becomes his/hers.

There are disclosure forms so no one says “but how would I know I had to look for that?”. There are federal disclosure requirements but also, because every locality has its own characteristics, state disclosure requirements.

Real Estate Tips:

Full disclosure? Find a real estate agent because without them everything becomes much more difficult!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

An income feature added to a mortgage whereby the mortgagee earns income in addition to the mortgage interest and principal payments. Also called an equity kicker, a kicker allows the ...

The accelerated cost recovery system is a depreciation system for tax purposes mandated by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. In 1986 the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS) was ...

The handling of an account, as a mortgage serviced by a mortgage banker. The periodic, routine maintenance of household items. ...

Space that is available to all tenants or owners, such as a courtyard, main entrance, elevator, and pool. ...

Horizontally placed timber that is connected to other timber. Smooth, flat, thin piece of metal. Electrical covering. ...

The term land use succession definition can be looked at from two perspectives. While the general way to define land use succession would be “changes that occur over time in the use ...

When an owner of real estate dies interstate, having no enforceable will, the property descends, by operation of law, to the owner's inheritors. ...

Writ issued by the court requiring a person to appear as a witness or to provide written information in the case. A contempt of court citation may occur for failure to observe the subpoena. ...

Net return on a real estate investment. It equals the income less the expenses associated with the property. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions