Why Not Just Be Honest To Begin With?

When I first get to a house and the sellers are home I go in first to introduce myself before I start knocking around the house.  This was a short sale.

Getting the dishwasher started I looked up and saw a slight staining on the ceiling.

That was caused by a fire.  Not a large fire, but one nonetheless.

"What caused that?" I asked pointing to the ceiling.

The seller looked shocked.  "Oh!  I'm not sure what that could be!"

Now come on, you can't live in a house and not notice that stain or know what caused it.  Or so it seems to me!

"That looks like a fire of some sort.  You don't know what it was?"

"No, I am just as surprised as you are."

My client and I are standing there and I am looking at her, probably with a look of incredulity on my face. 
"Fine, I am starting outside."

"Oh!  You are going outside?!"  Her faces changes to fear.  I think that means she's busted and knows it. 

"Well, of course.  I look at the house inside and out."

"You might find some staining on the side of the house at that window.  Now that I think about it there was a small kitchen fire.  Do you want me to explain it?"

At this point, whatever she has to say, I won't believe her at this point.  So an explanation is not helpful.  "No thanks.  That won't be necessary.  I will take my own look at it." 

We found what I thought we would find.  Now you can see from the picture that whatever happened, it was not a large fire.  Burned turkey or roast?  It doesn't matter, there was staining but no damage.  My client wasn't freaked by it.

I did not bring it up for the rest of the inspection.  It didn't matter what happened.  I wouldn't have believed her.  Why not just be honest to begin with?

My recommendation:  All houses have histories.  Things happen.  A Barbie can cause a toilet to overflow and stain the ceiling below.  A grill can melt the vinyl siding.  And a small kitchen fire can happen any time!  I suggest that a seller be forthcoming with any house histories.  That can help make a sales relationship smooth.