We all know how vital disclosure is in this business. We must tell a buyer everything that we consider to be materially significant. Sometimes our industry goes too far, sometimes not far enough. It got me thinking about other industries and things they must disclose. Here are just some of the disclosures I've seen on products (yes, these are all real).

On the back label of a jar of peanuts: Warning...may contain peanuts

On an automobile window sun shield: Warning, remove before driving

On a hair dryer: Warning, do not use in the bathtub

On a prescription bottle of sleeping pills: Warning, may cause drowsiness

On the package for a magnifying glass: Warning...objects may appear larger than normal

On a paper cup containing coffee: Warning, contents may be hot

No doubt that disclosure is important, but how far do you take it? What may be important to one person may mean nothing to someone else. I guess that's why our contracts and disclosures expand as fast as they do, someone always has a new thing that they feel the public must be protected from. What ever happened to "caveat emptor?"  (let the buyer beware). Don't get me wrong, I think disclosure is a necessary evil, but do I really need to be told that my peanuts may contain peanuts? Or that my prescription sleep aid may cause drowsiness? Maybe we just need someone else to think for us.

These are just a few of the apparently comical things I have seen on products. No doubt they are due to previous lawsuits filed by consumers who have little common sense. The next thing you know, we'll have one on our listings...Warning, home may be for sale.