Stigmatized property
A property with something in its past that makes some buyers uncomfortable, like a death on site or a well-known crime. State laws differ on whether these need to be disclosed.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A death, a crime or a rumor can make a home harder to sell to some buyers, and states differ on whether any of it has to be disclosed. Knowing your state's rule before the first showing is how sellers avoid guessing under pressure.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
A previous owner died in the home of natural causes. In some states nothing has to be said; in a few, a death within a set number of years is disclosed if asked.
| The situation | What states commonly do |
|---|---|
| A death from natural causes | Most states do not require disclosure; some answer if asked |
| A well-known crime | Varies; a few states treat it as material |
| A buyer asks directly | Lying is a problem everywhere, whatever the disclosure rule |
Stigma is a state-by-state question, and a direct question deserves a true answer.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a stigma has to be volunteered everywhere. Most states treat it differently from a physical defect; the rule is local.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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