Hawaii real estate experts are urging buyers and sellers to take the state's Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement far more seriously, since it's a key tool for avoiding costly surprises in a home purchase.

• The disclosure lists known issues like past roof leaks, plumbing or electrical problems, termite damage, water intrusion, structural concerns, unpermitted work, and homeowner association disputes.
• A checked "yes" box isn't automatically a red flag — it just means the seller disclosed something, which could be an old issue that's already been fixed.
• Buyers are told to slow down, read every page and comment carefully, and ask sellers follow-up questions about what happened, when, and whether it was fixed by licensed professionals.
• The disclosure is not a substitute for a professional home inspection — it shows what the seller knows, while an inspection gives an independent look at the home's actual current condition.
• Sellers are advised to fill out the form thoroughly and honestly, since a complete disclosure creates a paper trail that can head off disputes after closing.

Outlook: Experts recommend treating the disclosure as a starting point for deeper investigation with inspectors, not a reason to automatically walk away from a property.