WHEN & WHY TO DISCLOSE IN ATLANTA REAL ESTATE

   Is the purpose of the disclosure statement when selling your Atlanta home, or Georgia property in the Atlanta real estate market to provide a history of all repairs and past problems or to disclose current defects? I'm preparing to sell my property and am wondering if a long hairline crack in the basement wall that a general contractor repaired by injecting a special epoxy into the crack should be disclosed. It was a rather simple operation, and the crack has remained unchanged for the past six years. But should be included in my disclosure statement to the buyers. Is it necessary to mention the epoxy-filled crack, or will this disclosure needlessly alarm buyers? 

      The primary purpose of the disclosure statement is two-fold: The most obvious is to inform Atlanta home buyers of the condition of the property they are buying in Atlanta or the metro Atlanta real estate area. The added benefit, often overlooked, is the liability protection provided for sellers. In this respect, the disclosure statement helps to minimize the likelihood of claims, disputes or law suits occurring after the close of escrow. Reasonable buyers are not likely to be troubled or concerned about a repaired hairline crack, but lurking in the shadows of the marketplace are those litigious individuals against whom one must be ever vigilant. It is not so much a matter of whether you are required to disclose the crack. Rather, it is to your advantage to disclose it. In doing so, that condition becomes one less issue with the potential to incite future conflict. In the unlikely event that a problem regarding the crack should ever arise, your defense would be strengthened by the fact that you had made full disclosure.The process is actually quite simple. Just declare in writing that the crack was evaluated and repaired by a reputable licensed general contractor, and include a copy of the paper work that you received from the contractor. This should reassure, rather than alarm, most potential buyers.The doorway to our basement located in The Cumming Georgia Real estate market is located below ground and there's a small drain just outside the door. Whenever rains are heavy, the drain gets clogged with debris. As long as I sweep material away from the drain, it's fine. But when I'm away, leaves and stuff build up and water seeps into the basement. I've heard there's some type of screen that prevents clogging of the drain but haven't been able to find one at the hardware store. Can you suggest a solution before my basement is ruined? The screen you seek is made especially for roof drains. It appears to be a small dome-like cage, about 5-6 inches tall. When placed directly over a drain opening, on roofs, entry landings, decks or other locations, it catches leaves and debris, thereby preventing clogging. Look for this item with the roofing supplies at your local building supply store. If they don't have it, call a roofing contractor that works in the Cumming Georgia area or a metro Atlanta area contractor.