When it comes to selling a home, full transparency isn’t just a courtesy — it’s a legal and strategic necessity. At Luisa Mauro Real Estate, we often counsel sellers on the most important disclosures to prepare before putting their property on the market. While disclosure requirements can vary by state, there are a few key areas that commonly get overlooked — and overlooking them can cause deals to fall apart or even lead to legal trouble down the line.
In this article, I’ll cover the three most important disclosure areas that every home seller needs to get right: HOAs, seller disclosures, and lead-based paint.
1. Homeowners Associations (HOAs): More Than Just Monthly Dues
If your property is located in an HOA, disclosing this upfront is non-negotiable. Not only are there typically monthly or quarterly dues involved, but HOAs come with their own set of rules, regulations, and restrictions that can directly affect a buyer’s decision to move forward.
Take, for example, a past client of ours who owned a dog breed that some condo HOAs don’t allow. If she hadn’t reviewed the HOA’s pet policy in advance, she could’ve ended up under contract only to cancel once she realized her dog wasn’t welcome — wasting her time and the seller’s.
In addition, sellers should be prepared for HOA transfer fees, which are often paid by the seller. Knowing these fees ahead of time can help you negotiate with confidence and avoid last-minute surprises.
2. Seller Disclosures: Honesty Builds Trust
Most states require a seller disclosure form, but the most common question we get is: “Do I really need to mention that small repair from a few years ago?”
The answer is always yes. If a buyer’s home inspector discovers something that wasn’t disclosed, it can raise red flags. Buyers may wonder: What else is being hidden?
Be proactive and transparent. If you’ve made repairs, include them in the disclosure and provide receipts whenever possible. If there are repairs still needed — especially anything structural or mechanical — disclose those too. Transparency makes buyers more confident and reduces the risk of them walking away later due to undisclosed issues.
3. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Required for Older Homes
If your property was built before 1978, you are legally required to provide a Lead-Based Paint Addendum to prospective buyers. This federal requirement stems from the fact that lead was commonly used in paint prior to that year.
Along with the addendum, you must also provide buyers with an EPA pamphlet explaining the risks of lead exposure. While most realtors will handle this step for you, it’s still important for sellers to be aware of this requirement and ensure the documents are delivered early in the process.
The goal of these disclosures isn’t to scare buyers off — it’s to build trust, avoid misunderstandings, and create a smoother transaction for everyone involved. Buyers are far more likely to move forward with confidence when they know exactly what they’re getting into.
If you’re thinking about selling and have questions about your required disclosures — whether it’s HOA rules, previous repairs, or compliance paperwork — our team is here to help. Email, call, or message us anytime for guidance. Let’s make sure your sale goes smoothly from the very first step.
