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Closing on a home should be one of the most exciting times in a home buyer’s life. Unfortunately, not every seller is willing to disclose all defects within a home. Different states throughout America will have varying closing times. For instance, the average closing time in California is about 40 days. Statistics show that 77% of home buyers have an inspection done prior to purchasing a home. Here are five hidden defects a buyer may fail to disclose.

1. Roof Problems
   
   A roof is an essential part of every home. Unfortunately, there are instances where roof damage is hard to see. A general home inspection checklist should list that the roof of a home is inspected properly. If you’re finding roof problems that were undisclosed, you may have a property law case.
2. Animal Infestations
   
   No person moving into a new home wants to find unwanted guests. You’ll want to contact a real estate attorney if your new property is filled with pests. In many cases, pests are known to carry diseases. In addition, pests leave behind dander and droppings which are harmful to your health.
3. Leaking Water
   
   You’ll want to ensure the entire perimeter of a potential home is inspected for leaking water. Leaks throughout a home are known to be the cause of massive amounts of damage. Water spreads quickly throughout the structure of a home which can lead to the accumulation of mold.
4. Heating and Cooling Issues
   
   Failure to disclose defects relating to the heating and cooling ability of a home happens often. It’s nice to be able to view pictures of listing you’re interested in. Many homeowners prefer to visit the property to assess the heating and cooling ability of the home. You don’t move in during the winter to find out that you’ve got cooling problems during the upcoming summer.
5. Lead Paint Used on Property
   
   In some cases, dangers concerning a home won’t be known until the future. A recent law was enacted which makes failing to disclose the presence of lead paint illegal. Children can accidentally contract lead poisoning through eating lead paint chips.

In closing, a failure to disclose defects are problems no home buyer wants to deal with. It’s imperative to contact a real estate law firm if you feel defects weren’t properly disclosed when purchasing a home. A roof is a common area for buyers to fail to disclose defects. Animal infestations are extremely dangerous to homeowners and must be properly disclosed. Water leakage within a home is never something you want to find after signing on the dotted line. A proper home inspection will detect the presence of heating and cooling problems. Recent years have brought to law a ruling that states a property owner must disclose whether the lead paint is present on a property. If dealing with a potential instance of failure to disclose defects, it’s wise to call a lawyer.