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Mandated DisclosuresResidential_property_disclosure_actMEDIUM

Sandra is selling her home in Fairfax County, Virginia. She knows the basement has experienced minor flooding during heavy rain events. Sandra's agent recommends she provide a full disclosure statement under the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act rather than a disclaimer. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the difference between the two options in Virginia?

Correct Answer

A) A disclosure statement requires the seller to disclose known material defects, while a disclaimer shifts the responsibility for discovering defects to the buyer without the seller making representations about the property's condition

Under Va. Code § 55.1-700 et seq., Virginia uniquely offers sellers two options: (1) a disclosure statement in which the seller discloses known material defects, or (2) a disclaimer statement in which the seller makes no representations about the property's condition and shifts the burden of discovery to the buyer. These two options have fundamentally different legal effects and represent a Virginia-specific feature of real estate law.

Answer Options
A
A disclosure statement requires the seller to disclose known material defects, while a disclaimer shifts the responsibility for discovering defects to the buyer without the seller making representations about the property's condition
B
A disclosure statement requires the seller to warrant that the property is free of all defects, while a disclaimer allows the seller to sell the property with known defects
C
A disclaimer statement is only available to sellers of new construction, while a disclosure statement is required for all resale transactions
D
A disclosure statement and a disclaimer statement have the same legal effect under Virginia law, differing only in the format used

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

rpdadisclosure_vs_disclaimerseller_optionsmaterial_defects

Related Concepts

Many states and localities have fair housing laws that expand upon the protections offered by the federal Fair Housing Act.

A stigmatized property is one that has an undesirable reputation due to events that occurred on the property or nearby, such as a murder, suicide, alleged haunting, or proximity to a registered sex offender. The stigma is psychological, not physical.

An as-is clause in a real estate contract states that the buyer accepts the property in its current condition without requiring the seller to make any repairs. However, an as-is sale does NOT eliminate the seller's obligation to disclose known defects.

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