In Episode 3 of The Fitze Is Right, Maryland realtor Jen Fitze shares two stories that will change the way you think about selling a home — one about a Facebook post that destroyed a deal on settlement day, and one about what your agent legally doesn't have to tell you.

A house in Jen's parents' neighborhood in Parkville, Maryland had a water line burst from the refrigerator. Water was literally pouring out of the house. The owner came home to $60,000 in repairs. The entire main level was destroyed.

A couple years later, the homeowner decided to sell. One problem — they never disclosed the water damage. It wasn't in the disclosures. It wasn't in the listing. They acted like it never happened.

Then the buyer did what every buyer does — they went and stalked the seller on social media. Found their Facebook page. Scrolled through old posts. And there it was — photos and posts about the water damage, the $60,000 in repairs, all of it documented on Facebook for the world to see. The buyer had no idea until that moment. None of it had been disclosed.

When settlement day came, the buyer sat down at the table and said three words: "I'm not buying." The seller had already moved out. Moving trucks were loaded. Possibly already purchased another home. They had to move everything back in. The entire sale collapsed — all because of a Facebook post and a missing disclosure.

But Jen doesn't stop there. She breaks down exactly what disclosures are, what sellers are legally required to tell buyers, and what happens when they don't. From a Walmart being built near your neighborhood to a road widening that eats half your front yard — if it affects a buyer's decision, it has to be disclosed. Period.

Then the episode takes an unexpected turn. Jen reveals that in Maryland, you do NOT have to disclose if someone died in a house. And she shares the story of listing a home where the previous owner — a doctor — was found in the garage. She refused to step foot in that garage. And she didn't have to tell a soul.

In this episode you'll learn: → What disclosures are and why they can make or break a home sale → How a Facebook post gave a buyer the leverage to walk away on settlement day → Why buyers should always check a seller's social media before closing → The things sellers try to hide and how they get caught → What happens legally when you don't disclose known issues → What your agent is and isn't required to tell you about a property's history → Why Jen gives every seller "homework" before listing their home

New episodes weekly. Follow Jen Fitze on social media for daily real estate tips.

Thanks for listening to The Fitze Is Right with Jen Fitze... the real estate podcast that tells you what your agent won't.

New episodes drop every other week. If this episode helped you or made your jaw drop, leave a 5-star review; it's the single best way to help new listeners find the show.

Got a real estate horror story of your own? We want to hear it. Send your story to @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate and Jen might read and react to it live on a future episode.

CONNECT WITH JEN: All socials @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate

WORK WITH JEN: Buying or selling a home in Maryland? Jen has over 20 years of experience helping families in Harford County, Baltimore County, and beyond. Reach out at jensellsmd@gmail.com