The #1 Reason Home Sellers Get Sued (Don’t Make This Mistake!)

Did you know that a staggering 80% to 90% of all real estate lawsuits stem from a seller's failure to disclose material facts about a property? In this crucial episode of Ask the Hawaii Team, Dan Polimino from KW Big Island explains why trying to hide minor past issues—like small leaks or termite damage—is a recipe for legal disaster. Even if you completely repaired, remedied, and spot-treated the issue years ago, omitting it from your seller property disclosure statement can expose you to massive financial liability.

Whether you are listing a luxury Waikoloa Beach condo, a property in Mauna Lani, or a residential home anywhere on the Big Island, the golden rule of real estate remains unchanged: disclose, disclose, disclose. Dan Polimino draws on his extensive experience as a brokerage firm owner to break down the two primary reasons transactions end up in front of real estate attorneys: nondisclosure of defects (such as minor water damage on a lanai, structural issues, or plumbing leaks) and a dangerous lack of professional buyer or seller representation. Learn how overdisclosing protects your assets, keeps your transaction secure, and guarantees a smooth escrow process.

Video Chapters (Time-Stamped)
0:00 Do I Need to Disclose Past Damage If It’s Already Fixed?
0:13 The Golden Rule of Real Estate: Disclose, Disclose, Disclose
0:35 Overdisclosing: Advice from Top Real Estate Attorneys
1:10 The Shocking Statistics Behind Real Estate Lawsuits
1:31 The #1 Cause of Property Litigation: Failure to Disclose
1:41 The #2 Cause of Litigation: Unrepresented Transactions
1:51 From Water Damage to Termites: What You Must Reveal
2:01 Protect Your Asset & Your Escrow