The seller is usually required to make specific disclosures about the property. This includes:

◾Material defects within the seller's knowledge - Many states require a seller who knows of a problem with the property to disclose the presence of this problem to the buyer.

◾Actively conceal material defects - Generally, a seller cannot actively hide a defect in order to attract a buyer to the property.

◾Buyer's Duty to Inspect - Most states find that the seller does not have an obligation to inspect the property before the deed is transferred. Thus, the buyer should hire someone to inspect the property for any defects that are not easily noticeable.

◾Inspection Contingency - The buyer can place a clause in the purchase contract stating that the sale is contingent on a property inspection by a qualified engineer or construction expert at the buyer's expense.