Home buyers, do you KNOW what you DONT KNOW about the home you're buying?  In today's real estate market, an increasing number of homes are being sold without the Seller's Disclosure Statement which contains information regarding a home's repair and maintenance history (along with other important information about the home). 

Banks don't provide Disclosure Statements and I'm starting to notice even investors are claiming no disclosures will be provided. Apparently becoming an investor turns you into a turnip and robs you of your memory.  This is the only explanation I can think of for owning a home and having no knowledge of anything about the home during your ownership, investor or not. 

If you're buying a home in Arizona, the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement is a 6 page document that includes a lot of information about the property.  Here are just a few items from this report:

would you care if the house has scorpions, bees, or the occasional snake?
would you care if the house has experienced a fire or flood?
would you care if there is a potential for mold due to past roof leaks or a pipe bursting?

There are 246 lines that can be filled out on the Arizona Seller's Property Disclosure Statement.  Wouldn't you feel better as a buyer if you knew as much as possible about the home you're buying?  Have your agent request a disclosure statement even if the listing claims one will not be provided.  At least 75% of the time I'm able to get one for my buyers even if it's only partially filled out.

If the seller refuses to provide disclosure information and you still want to proceed with the purchase of the home, ask your Realtor for a blank disclosure statement so you'll know exactly what you don't know about the home you're buying.  Knowledge.  It's a good thing.