Violent Crime, Death...Is it Disclosed when Buying RE? (disclosure, agent, lawsuit)

[noihoforus]

When buying a home in WY, ID, or WA.....does Violent Crime or Death have to be disclosed to the buyer by the RA or Seller? Just what are the disclosure laws?

[Lacerta]

I can't speak to the other states you asked about, but I can for Idaho.

The short answer is no, it doesn't have to be disclosed.

The longer answer is that even if a buyer asks the real estate agent or the seller the question, the real estate agent cannot legally answer even if they know the answer without permission (I think it has to be written permission, but not sure of that) from the seller, and the seller can just flat out refuse to answer. They can't lie, but they can say "I will not answer that", or "I don't have to disclose that information".

The legal reference is Idaho Statutes

[Rakin]

In TX if the house caused the death we have to disclose. It is not mandatory to disclose suicides or natural deaths or murders.

We HIGHLY encourage a seller to disclose if it's a recent event and a factor that affects the house. Neighbors all know and it would help prevent some extremely unhappy buyers and possibly a lawsuit.

[noihoforus]

Thank you both for your responses. Do either of you know where/what I would look at to find out about WY and WA?

[Rakin]

Go on realtor.com and find agents with an email. Send several an email and see how they respond.

[MikeJaquish]

Go on local sites on Trulia.com Voices and ask. They will swarm like killer bees. Someone might even accidentally answer the question.

Safer bet is to go the the WY and WA state forums of CD and ask for the state regulations on disclosure of death, etc.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

Safer bet is to go the the WY and WA state forums of CD and ask for the state regulations on disclosure of death, etc.

I like this answer the best.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I like this answer the best.

Me, too.

But I just love elbowing the Trulia Voices Piranhas....

[noihoforus]

I ask the same question on the WY CD. So far no response. Again....thank you for the suggestions :-)

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by noihoforus

I ask the same question on the WY CD. So far no response. Again....thank you for the suggestions :-)

Are you concerned about buying or selling a house with a death ?