You just listed your home in town for sale, and you withheld a few
"little" problems from the Realtor--the family room leaks, but only
when it rains, the outlet in the back bedroom won't spark unless something is
plugged in, and there is a stain on the oak floor in the living room which is
covered with a rug.
It is a mistake to think that your home will sell more quickly by concealing the
little (or not so little) defects. These seemingly small items can escalate into
major issues which can threaten a sale, and possibly result in litigation. State
legislatures and courts all over the country have passed laws regarding
concealing defects from an agent or buyer. The essence of these laws
is--DISCLOSE! If something in your home is not working properly or needs to be
repaired, fix it or make sure that your agent discloses it to the prospective
buyers. The court will probably not be understanding--or forgiving--if you claim
ignorance about a problem, especially if you have lived in the house.
