Thinking about selling your Hardin Valley home and wondering what you must disclose? You are not alone. Sellers of older homes often worry about what to say, how much detail to provide, and whether an as-is listing changes anything. In this guide, you will learn what Tennessee requires, where exemptions may apply, how as-is language really works, and which documents to gather so you can sell with confidence.
What Tennessee requires
Tennessee sellers must complete a written property condition disclosure that truthfully describes known material defects and certain facts about the home. Most sellers use a standardized disclosure form that is common across Tennessee and provided by brokerages or listing services.
You can expect questions in these areas:
- Structural items: foundation, framing, walls, roof, and roof leaks.
- Mechanical systems: heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical.
- Water and drainage: grading, basement or crawlspace moisture, and any past flooding.
- Environmental and health: known presence or testing for lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks, mold or mildew, and any known methamphetamine lab contamination.
- Infestations: termites or other wood-destroying organisms, plus prior treatments.
- Additions, repairs, and permits: unpermitted work, code violations, and prior insurance claims for major damage such as fire, flood, or wind.
- Utilities and services: private well or septic, sewer connection, water source, easements, and boundary disputes.
- HOA or community items: whether an HOA exists, fees, and covenants if applicable.
- Other material facts: matters that could affect value or condition, plus any ongoing claims or disputes that involve the property.
If your Hardin Valley home was built before 1978, you must provide specific lead-based paint disclosures and deliver the required federal lead pamphlet to buyers. This federal rule is separate from Tennessee’s standard disclosure form.
When disclosures are required
Sellers typically complete the disclosure early. The East Tennessee Realtors MLS system asks for the form before or at listing. Buyers must receive it before or at contract signing.
Some transfers do not require a standard seller disclosure form. These common exemptions may include transfers by court order, certain fiduciary sales, transfers between co-owners or family members, new construction sold by a builder, or nominal entity-to-entity transfers. Even when an exemption applies, you still must avoid fraud or misrepresentation. Exemption does not allow concealment of known material defects.
How as-is really works
Listing a property as as-is signals that you do not plan to make repairs or offer warranties. It affects negotiations and who pays for fixes. It does not remove your duty to be honest.
Key points for as-is in Tennessee:
- You must still disclose known material defects on the form and in communications.
- Latent defects you know about, which a routine inspection might not reveal, should be disclosed.
- Buyers may still seek inspections and may have legal remedies for fraud, misrepresentation, or nondisclosure.
The practical takeaway: as-is can simplify repair negotiations, but it does not change your obligation to disclose what you know.
Hardin Valley seller checklist
Selling an older home in Hardin Valley? A strong paper trail and specific answers will help you avoid disputes, speed up negotiations, and build buyer confidence. Use these checklists to prepare.
Documents to gather
- Prior seller disclosure forms if you listed before.
- Deed, survey, and plat that show property lines and easements.
- Building permits and final inspection certificates for additions or major system replacements. Check Knox County Codes and the Register of Deeds for records.
- Receipts and invoices for repairs, renovations, and routine maintenance, such as roof work, HVAC service, plumbing, and electrical.
- Homeowner insurance claim history for fire, water, or storm events.
- Pest control and termite inspection or treatment reports.
- Septic records, including pump and maintenance history and county permits if applicable.
- Utility bills and well water testing results if you have a private well.
- Pre-listing or recent professional inspection reports for roof, HVAC, electrical, and structural conditions.
- Environmental reports, if you have them, for radon, lead, asbestos, underground storage tanks, or meth lab remediation.
- HOA documents, covenants, restrictions, bylaws, and fee history if your property is in an association.
- Notices or correspondence about code violations, disputes, or lawsuits involving the property.
Items to verify in older homes
- Roof age, condition, and any known leaks or patches.
- Electrical type and condition, including older wiring types or panels.
- Plumbing materials, past leaks, and water pressure concerns.
- HVAC equipment age and last service date.
- Foundation condition, settlement cracks, slope or drainage issues, and any crawlspace moisture.
- Any history of flooding, water intrusion, or storm damage.
- Presence of lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes and any testing or abatement history.
- Known asbestos in older insulation, flooring, or siding, and any remediation details.
- Past or current termite activity and treatments.
- Odors, visible mold, or past moisture-related remediation.
How to complete the form
- Be factual and specific. Include dates, locations, and simple descriptions. For example, “Roof replaced 2019. See invoice.”
- Do not guess. If you do not know, say you do not know rather than speculate.
- Provide your Realtor with supporting documents when you can, such as invoices or receipts.
- If an issue was repaired, include who did the work and whether permits and final inspections were completed.
- Keep a dated copy of the completed disclosure for your records and share it with the buyer as required.
Managing risk and next steps
Buyers who later discover undisclosed material defects may seek rescission, repair costs, a price reduction, or damages depending on contract terms and law. Your best protection is thorough, truthful disclosure supported by documents.
Smart risk management steps:
- Be complete and accurate on the disclosure form.
- Keep receipts, reports, and permits that back up your statements.
- Consult a Tennessee real estate attorney if you face complex issues, such as known hidden defects, contamination history, or structural work without permits.
- Ask your listing agent to manage forms, MLS requirements, and delivery timelines so buyers receive disclosures on time.
Local records to check
Hardin Valley is in Knox County, and many records are available through county offices or your agent.
- Knox County Register of Deeds for deeds, plats, and recorded easements.
- Knox County Building Codes and Permits for permits and inspection records.
- Knox County Property Assessor for property characteristics and tax records to confirm year built and improvements.
- Tennessee Real Estate Commission for state-level guidance on transaction practices.
- Local inspectors and environmental testing firms for radon, lead, asbestos, and mold testing if you choose to test before listing.
A thoughtful approach to disclosure can protect your sale, strengthen buyer trust, and keep your timeline on track. If you prepare your records and answer the form with care, you will set clear expectations and reduce surprises during inspections and negotiations.
Ready to sell your Hardin Valley home with confidence? Reach out to the experienced team at Shannon Foster-Boline with Realty Executives Associates for a clear plan, local expertise, and seamless listing support.
FAQs
What must Tennessee sellers disclose?
- Tennessee requires a written property condition disclosure describing known material defects and key facts about structural, mechanical, environmental, and service items.
When is the disclosure form due in a sale?
- Sellers usually complete it before or at listing, and buyers typically receive it before or at contract signing. Confirm timelines with your agent or attorney.
Does an as-is listing remove disclosure duties?
- No. As-is affects repairs and warranties, not honesty. You must still disclose known material defects, including latent issues you know about.
Are family or estate transfers exempt from disclosure?
- Many transfers by court order or between co-owners or related parties may be exempt from the standard form. You must still avoid misrepresentation.
What about lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes?
- Federal law requires specific lead disclosures and delivery of the federal lead pamphlet for pre-1978 housing. This is in addition to the state disclosure.
How detailed should I be about past repairs?
- Be specific and factual. Include dates, locations, who performed the work, whether permits were used, and keep invoices to support your statements.
What if I do not know an answer on the form?
- Do not guess. It is acceptable to state that you do not know rather than provide an estimate or assumption.
