{"id":7366,"date":"2017-12-05T22:45:47","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T22:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/real-estate-disclosure-laws-vary-from-state-to-state\/"},"modified":"2017-12-05T22:45:47","modified_gmt":"2017-12-05T22:45:47","slug":"real-estate-disclosure-laws-vary-from-state-to-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/real-estate-disclosure-laws-vary-from-state-to-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Estate Disclosure Laws Vary From State To State"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div readability=\"126\">\n<p><b>Question<\/b>:  I believe my house is haunted. Periodically, a door will slam or windows will mysteriously open when no one else is home. I plan to sell; do I have to disclose? Mary.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Answer<\/b>: Dear Mary:  For purposes of my response, I will accept your statement that your house is haunted. Frankly, I am a skeptic, and do not believe in such ghost stories.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>But if that&#8217;s what you believe, you have to find out whether your state has a law on this topic. To my knowledge, in most of the states you would not have to disclose. In Florida, for example, there is a specific statute that protects home sellers (and their <a href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/property-center-nigeria\/\">real estate<\/a> agents) from liability by not disclosing.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In New York, however, if a home has a reputation of being haunted, it must be disclosed. Apparently, that law came out of a case where the home had significant media coverage about it being haunted.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>So, if there has been no media coverage &#8212; or your house does not have the reputation of having ghosts &#8212; depending on your state law, you do not have to disclose.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Your buyers may be upset, but if you don&#8217;t have to disclose you are legaly protected.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Question<\/b>:  I have a business I run from my home and use part of the recreation room for keeping records and filling orders from customers. Can I claim a <a href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/home-office-setup-to-work-from-home\/\">home office<\/a> deduction? Terrance.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Answer<\/b>: Depends on the facts. The law allows you to claim the deduction if the office space is used &#8220;regularly and exclusively&#8221; for your business. If there is other use in that room \u2013such as watching TV &#8212; you will not qualify. You can, however, isolate a space in that room even though others may be watching the television &#8212; so long as it is &#8220;exclusive&#8221;.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>There is a formula the IRS has authorized to simplify how to calculate the deduction and it is explained in IRS publication 587, &#8220;Business Use of Your Home&#8221;. It is available free on line from irs.gov\/publications.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Question<\/b>:   I am the Treasurer on my large (100+) unit condo association board. Our management company has been managing the complex since the units were built in the late 1980&#8217;s. The management contract, which took me forever to get a copy of, renews every three years automatically if no changes are made. It is next up for renewal in April of 2019.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>As a board, what steps do we need to do to open this up to bid to other property management companies? Obviously we have no experience in this, as we&#8217;ve never changed companies. Is this something the board should do independently of the current management company? We&#8217;re concerned that if we don&#8217;t dot every &#8220;i&#8221; and cross every &#8220;t&#8221;, our current firm will use that as an excuse to void any agreement we might make with a new property management company. Mike.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Answer<\/b>:   Mike, selecting a management company should not be any different than selecting a landscaper, or a contractor for a large job. Typically, the managing company will solicit two or three bids and then make a recommendation for the Board to decide. However, if you pass this task on to your management company, even if they do an honest search, there will always be the perception that they don&#8217;t want to lose the job.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>So, the board should create a three-member management committee &#8212; could be from board members only or other interested owners &#8212; to solicit bids. If you don&#8217;t have a current list of property managers in your area, contact the Community Association Institute (caionline.org) for such a <a href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/nigeria-property-center\/\">listing<\/a>.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Prepare a letter spelling out who you are, how many units, what you are looking and ask for a bid response. You should list a contact person because most management companies will want to inspect the property first.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Give them a four week deadline. I would also send it to your current manager and ask them to submit their response. Once you get some responses, review them carefully, talk with other associations they manage, and then make your decision.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Caution: do not decide on price along. Remember the old saying: &#8220;you only get what you pay for&#8221;.\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a hre=\"http:\/\/realtytimes.com\/consumeradvice\/sellersadvice\/item\/1007535-20171206-real-estate-disclosure-laws-vary-from-state-to-state\"> Realtytimes <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Question: I believe my house is haunted. Periodically, a door will slam or windows will mysteriously &hellip; <a title=\"Real Estate Disclosure Laws Vary From State To State\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/real-estate-disclosure-laws-vary-from-state-to-state\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Real Estate Disclosure Laws Vary From State To State<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7367,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[695,1403,516,205,561,12908,543,10,5254,617,1263,1007,41,71,818,84,385,513,219,15282,61,15309],"class_list":["post-7366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities-in-new-markets","tag-agent","tag-buy","tag-estate-agen","tag-estate-agent","tag-estate-agents","tag-home","tag-home-buying-guide","tag-home-sell","tag-home-sellers","tag-house","tag-irs","tag-owners","tag-property","tag-property-management","tag-real","tag-real-estate","tag-real-estate-agent","tag-real-estate-agents","tag-realty","tag-ross","tag-seller","tag-ups"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/65b1e9d66d2f6adcbf34a3d56fe3b544_S.jpg?fit=424%2C269&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":88090,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/agency-fee-for-property-sales-in-nigeria\/","url_meta":{"origin":7366,"position":0},"title":"Agency fee for property sales in Nigeria","author":"Amazing Property","date":"January 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"How Much Is Really The Real estate Agent Fee For Property Sales In Nigeria ? Real estate agents are professionals who help people buy and sell property. They are responsible for finding buyers, negotiating prices, and helping to close the deal. In Nigeria, real estate agents are regulated by the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RealEstate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RealEstate","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/realestate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The fee for property sales in Nigeria","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-fee-for-property-sales-in-Nigeria.jpg?fit=1024%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-fee-for-property-sales-in-Nigeria.jpg?fit=1024%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-fee-for-property-sales-in-Nigeria.jpg?fit=1024%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-fee-for-property-sales-in-Nigeria.jpg?fit=1024%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3203,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/growth-in-online-real-estate-market-threatens-agents\/","url_meta":{"origin":7366,"position":1},"title":"Growth in online real estate market threatens agents","author":"Amazing Property","date":"April 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Real Estate Figures from online platforms are pointing to an increase in the number of owners and prospective tenants who are opting to sell their homes or rent property online without the use of an agent. The Guardian\u00a0learnt that the number of renters searching for property online platforms rose\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"real estate news","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Tips-for-Real-Estate-Content.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Tips-for-Real-Estate-Content.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Tips-for-Real-Estate-Content.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Tips-for-Real-Estate-Content.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Tips-for-Real-Estate-Content.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4869,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/speed-along-the-real-estate-transaction-with-a-pre-listing-home-inspection\/","url_meta":{"origin":7366,"position":2},"title":"Speed Along the Real Estate Transaction with a Pre-Listing Home Inspection","author":"Amazing Property","date":"June 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Arguably one of the more significant steps of the home-buying process is the home inspection. Done properly, the home inspection allows buyers to gain a clear understanding of the property they are about to purchase as well as provide sellers the knowledge of what can (or should) be improved at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ea38d9f11e9830d97e3bd289cd491d11_M.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25118,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/top-youtube-properties\/","url_meta":{"origin":7366,"position":3},"title":"Top Youtube Properties","author":"Amazing Property","date":"January 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Amazing property has launched their youtube channel. Check out our top youtube properties. 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In select markets today, the competition isn\u2019t just from other neighborhood brokerages. It\u2019s also from companies like OpenDoor.com and OfferPad.com, with attractive online\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Answer to Zillows \u2018Instant Offers\u2019","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/68f00eb5b387cdf76eaf60ac34c9e8dc.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2754,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/so-you-want-to-be-a-for-sale-by-owner\/","url_meta":{"origin":7366,"position":5},"title":"So you want to be a For Sale by Owner?","author":"Amazing Property","date":"March 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Being able to sell your own home can have its benefits.\u00a0 Let\u2019s be honest.\u00a0 The primary benefit is that you can save the commission paid to real estate agents.\u00a0 It is an advantage of being an American, free to sell your own property.\u00a0 If you plan to sell your home\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Property owner&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Property owner","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/property-owner\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}