Table of Contents
Introduction
En el complejo mundo del mercado inmobiliario en California, la transparencia y la diligencia son fundamentales. Una parte esencial de este proceso es la inspección visual y la divulgación de información clave por parte de los agentes inmobiliarios. En este artículo, exploramos la obligación legal y las ventajas de utilizar las «Agent Visual Inspection & Disclosure Forms» (Formularios de Inspección Visual y Divulgación de Agentes), también conocidas como AVID Forms, según establece la California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.).
Legal Obligation: Duty to Inspect and Disclose
When? In the sale of residential properties with between 1 and 4 units housing.
Who? Real estate agents who represent buyers and sellers.
That?
- They must conduct a competent and diligent visual inspection of the accessible areas of the property offered for sale.
- They must disclose to the potential buyer material facts and defects that should have been discovered during the inspection.
As? Un agente completa el «Transfer Disclosure Statement» (TDS) y/o el formulario AVID en nombre del corredor.
TDS and AVID Forms
Although the law establishing this obligation did not create a separate form to make the disclosure, there is the «Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement» (Formulario TDS) which can be used for this purpose. Although the majority of this form refers to the seller's disclosures, sections III and IV can be used for the agent to make his or her disclosures.
La California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) creó el «Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure» (AVID), que también puede utilizarse para documentar la inspección realizada por el agente.
Advantages of AVID
AVID offers several advantages over TDS. First, it offers more space for disclosures and per-room sections that guide the agent through the inspection process. If AVID is used, the appropriate box must be checked on the TDS. Another advantage is that the broker's inspection and disclosure obligations apply even when the seller is exempt from completing a TDS form. Using AVID establishes the habit of agents always conducting inspections and disclosures on residential properties with between one and four units, without relying on TDS.
Specific Disclosures
Disclosures made after an inspection should be specific, but not speculative. Agents should identify only what can be seen. They should not guess at causes, degree of danger, costs of corrective activities or use technical terms.
The AVID helps agents make disclosures required by law, while specifying what is outside the scope of their duty. For example, there is no legal obligation to search outside records, inspect common areas or access inaccessible places such as attics or basements, look under furniture or carpets, open locked doors, or climb onto roofs or chimneys.
Conclusion
Las «Agent Visual Inspection & Disclosure Forms» (Formularios de Inspección Visual y Divulgación de Agentes) son una herramienta esencial en el mundo inmobiliario de California. Al cumplir con esta obligación legal y utilizar el AVID, los agentes contribuyen a la transparencia y la integridad en el proceso de compra y venta de propiedades. La combinación de diligencia, conocimiento y cumplimiento legal forma la base de una industria inmobiliaria sólida y confiable en el estado de California.
