Before you buy
Washington home buyers: Form 17 is a starting point, not an inspection
The seller disclosure can surface important history, but it does not replace your own inspection, title review, permit research, and professional advice.
Reviewed against official sources · August 2026Read the disclosure carefully
Washington law requires a seller disclosure statement in many residential transactions, with exceptions. Review every answer, explanation, and blank with your broker or attorney and compare it with what you observe.
The statutory disclosure requirements are in RCW 64.06. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Verify independently
- Professional inspection and any specialist inspections it recommends.
- Title, easements, boundaries, and recorded restrictions.
- Permit history and whether additions were approved and finalized.
- Sewer or septic, water, drainage, critical areas, slopes, and trees.
- Insurance availability and likely repair or replacement costs.
Use the contingency period
Prioritize questions that could change whether you buy, what you pay, or whether the property supports your future plans. Written answers and source documents are more useful than verbal reassurance.
Action plan
Use the contingency period deliberately
- 1
Read Form 17 line by line and turn every yes, unknown, explanation, and inconsistency into a written follow-up question.
- 2
Order the general inspection early enough to add sewer, septic, roof, drainage, structural, pest, or environmental specialists when recommended.
- 3
Review preliminary title, easements, survey information, permits, final inspections, and plans for additions or conversions.
- 4
Confirm utilities, insurance availability, property taxes, known assessments, and any HOA or recorded restrictions.
- 5
If future construction matters, have the appropriate professionals evaluate zoning, trees, critical areas, access, soils, and utilities before waiving feasibility protections.
Official resources