To Disclose or Not to Disclose? Here's Why That’s Not Even a Question

To disclose or not to disclose?
Honestly, in real estate, that shouldn't even be a question. Seller disclosures are your legal safety net—they protect everyone involved and can seriously reduce the risk of a messy lawsuit later.

Hi, I'm Amber Johnson with Pillar Real Estate, and let’s chat about why being upfront can save you a ton of stress (and money).

Disclosures = Protection

Before your home hits the MLS or buyers start walking through, I always recommend sitting down with your agent (hi! 👋) to go over your disclosures. Why? Because the more buyers know before they write that offer, the fewer surprises pop up after escrow starts.

And trust me—no one wants surprises once you’re knee-deep in paperwork and packing boxes.

What Needs to Be Disclosed?

In California, we’ve got no shortage of disclosures. Everything from nearby golf balls to neighborhood noise to... yes, even registered offenders. It all matters.

Here’s the rule of thumb I give my clients:
If you’re wondering whether or not you should disclose something... the answer is almost always yes.

Did you repair the roof? Say it.
Did your neighbor's dog bark nonstop during the summer? Say it.
Did the garage flood during that big storm two years ago? Yep—say it.

Overdisclosing > Underdisclosing

I’d rather you overdisclose and protect yourself than leave something out and end up getting a letter from an attorney. 😬

Fun fact? In my entire decade-plus of selling real estate, I’ve never had a client get sued after closing. Why? Because we take disclosure seriously. And it works.

“But What If I Didn’t Know?”

That’s okay! You’re only responsible for what you actually know. If something’s truly hidden, and the buyer later finds it, they’d have to prove you intentionally kept it secret. You’re not expected to be psychic—just honest.

Why It Matters

✔ It builds trust
✔ It prevents deals from falling apart
✔ It keeps you out of legal hot water

So don’t stress—I’ll walk you through the disclosure process when the time comes. Just know that when it comes to telling the truth about your home... better safe than sued. 😉

I’m Amber Johnson with Pillar Real Estate, and I’m here to help you sell smart, sell safely, and move forward with confidence.