Critical review checklist
Understanding your disclosure package
Disclosure documents protect your investment. Use the accordions below to learn what to look for, why it matters, and how other buyers avoided costly surprises.
Quick tip
Keep a running list of follow-up questions as you review each disclosure. Bring that list to your agent, inspector, or attorney to close gaps before you commit.
Save a disclosure checklistDocuments with seller input
Start here. Each item includes statements from the seller that can reveal critical issues long before inspection day.
The TDS is the cornerstone of your disclosure set. Sellers must surface known issues—roof leaks, structural movement, pest damage, and more.
A San Francisco buyer discovered severe foundation damage only after closing because the TDS was skimmed.
Reviewing every checkbox and comment keeps you ahead of similar surprises.
The SPQ digs into neighborhood disputes, insurance claims, and remodel permits.
One Los Angeles buyer discovered unpermitted renovations in this form—knowledge that drastically shaped their negotiation strategy.
Make this your roadmap for follow-up questions.
Homes built before 1978 can contain lead-based paint, posing serious health risks for kids.
A New York family faced expensive abatement and medical costs after discovering hidden lead.
If you see references to deteriorating paint, plan for a specialized inspection immediately.
Wildfire-prone regions require specific buffers and building upgrades.
After the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA, buyers started prioritizing this disclosure.
Use it to understand retrofit costs and insurance implications before you submit an offer.
Documents to review (informational)
These advisories capture risk context, legal obligations, and consumer protections you should acknowledge—even when they only need a signature.
Confirms whether the property is in flood, fire, seismic, or other high-risk zones.
Pair this with HousingBrain dashboards to visualize nearby environmental risks and plan mitigation steps.
Explains how your personal data can be used in the transaction.
Confirm your contact preferences and document-sharing expectations align with the brokerage’s policies.
Wire fraud hit a Texas buyer for their entire down payment in 2019.
This advisory outlines verification steps—always call confirmed phone numbers before sending funds.
Reinforces your rights and the seller’s obligations.
Keep it handy if you’re concerned about disparate treatment in marketing, showings, or offer negotiations.
Summarizes evacuation planning, defensible space requirements, and potential insurance limitations.
A must-read if the property sits in a CAL FIRE severity zone.
Confirms compliance with state requirements for low-flow fixtures and carbon monoxide detectors.
Factor upgrades into your budget if the seller won’t deliver compliance at close.
If you’re waiving inspections to compete in a hot market, document the risks you’re accepting.
Use this to create a post-close inspection plan so you can budget for delayed repairs.
Next steps
Attach this guide to your document review workflow. Capture issues, assign owners, and monitor resolution in the collaboration dashboard.
Create a disclosure action plan