You might never know if that pretty house that you feel in love with was the scene of a gruesome murder or the laboratory of a methamphetamine manufacturer. State laws vary for requiring the seller of a home to disclose to buyers if a property has a "psychologically disturbing history" or is stigmatized. Ghosts, occupied by someone HIV-positive, murder and drug centers top the most common home histories that disturb buyers. Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers tips on how to deal with stigmatized properties.
-Be forewarned that at least one perceived stigmatized property type can't be disclosed under Federal law, those persons with AIDS or are HIV positive are protected under Federal Fair Housing Laws from disclosing their HIV status.
-Homes that have been used as a methamphetamine lab can be tested by a certified industrial hygienist for traces of the drug. If the drug does exist it can be remediated by a licensed environmental hazard professional. If you suspect illegal drug manufacture in a home you are interested in purchasing, right a clause in the contract to include an inspection for methamphetamine.
-Murders and mayhem in a home can be unsettling to home buyers. Laws vary be state as to their disclosure and the length of time this information needs to be disclosed, after the incident. It doesn't hurt to ask realty agents if any murders have taken place in a home you want to buy, but you might not get the truth as it might not be required by law. Do an Internet search with the names of the occupants or call the police department and review crime records and reports.
-Ghosts can be a turn-off to some buyers, while others are attracted to their mystery and occurences. Home sellers should be careful about disclosing the known presence of ghosts, you might be held liable if they decide to move-on after your gone. Buyers might be interested in your home because of ghosts and how can you assure buyers that they will remain? If you like ghosts and want to follow their history in a home, go to the local library and see if you can find a documents of them in newspapers or public records.
-When disclosure is necessary under state law, have both the buyer and seller sign a disclosure statement, the seller serving notice of the stigma and the buyer receiving the notice. Don't make claims or guarantees that can't be proven. Always consult a real estate attorney when drafting or signing a home purchase contract.
Mark Nash's fourth real estate book, "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home" (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, CNN-TV, Chicago Sun Times & Tribune, Fidelity Investor