When buying a home, you put a certain level of trust in the seller. While you expect them to be honest about what you’re getting, this doesn’t always happen. And for that reason, you have every right to proceed with caution.
Here are three steps you should take if you have any reason to believe the seller is lying about something important:
- Review the disclosure: This is where many lies come to light. You believe one thing to be true, but the disclosure says something else. In this case, it confirms your suspicion and gives you a reason to dig deeper.
- Hire an inspector: Even if the home appears to be in good condition, it makes sense to hire an inspector to take a closer look. This is even more so the case if you suspect that the seller is hiding something from you, such as a cracked foundation, leaking roof or mold.
- Talk to your agent: It’s not your place to communicate directly with the seller. Instead, tell your agent about your concerns and have them consult with the seller’s agent. This often leads you to the answers to your questions.
If you have any suspicions that the seller is lying to you, take the time necessary to poke around. Maybe you find that you’re right about your suspicions. Or maybe you find that you were simply being paranoid. Either way, it’s critical that you put your mind at ease.
Just the same as the buyer, you have legal rights when negotiating and closing on a home. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you.