Just like many other states, Washington has its own set of standards for what a seller must disclose regarding their property when they put it on the market. The seller’s disclosure is intended to help the buyer understand the entire property that they’re purchasing and any sort of potential liabilities that come along with it. Understanding what must be included in a seller’s disclosure can allow you the knowledge to know what to look for when purchasing a residential property.

Material defects

The first area of the seller’s disclosure is meant to describe any sort of material defects that the seller knows about regarding the property. These defects include things that can affect the value of the property or how it functions. It is crucial to note that the seller only must disclose material issues that they are actually aware of. There could be underlying material issues that the seller does not know about at the property.

Physical features

There are a couple of key points that a seller’s disclosure must make regarding the physical features of the property. The first is the source of the property’s water supply, whether it be public water or a well. Second, the seller’s disclosure will need to include the types of materials that were used in the building of the structure.

In this category, the seller also needs to disclose if they’ve done any major repairs to the property, like replacing the roof. A seller also needs to include a section about the sewage system to describe the type of system it is and whether it’s on-site. In addition, if the property is currently rented, the seller’s disclosure will need to disclose the lease terms.

It’s a seller’s responsibility to ensure that their disclosure is accurate and up-to-date until the point that the property is officially sold to the buyer. When purchasing real estate property, it’s always advisable to seek the help of an attorney to ensure that you’re making a decision that is in your best interest.