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What is your privacy policy?
What is the new “Special Assessments" Disclosure?
What is a 1915 Special Assessment?
What is the difference between the mello roos and special assessment disclosures in the Gold report and the new “Tax Disclosure" report?
What have you done to your name?
Why did you add Airport Proximity and Military Ordnance to Your Gold Report?
What is included in the Airport Proximity Report?
What is Included in the Military Ordnance Report?
What should I do to comply with the new mold disclosure law?
How Can Disclosure Safe Charge So Much Less?
What is a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (NHDS)?
What is the difference between geologic and environmental hazards?
How do I order DisclosureSave Report?
How will I pay for my DisclosureSave report?
How long will it take to get my DisclosureSave report?
What is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology?
How does GIS technology ensure accurate disclosure reports?
Does DisclosureSave carry errors and omissions insurance?
What is an Environmental Hazard Report?
Why should I order an Environmental Hazard Report?
What is included in an Environmental Hazard Report?
What can I do if the Environmental Hazard report comes back with unfavorable results?
How do I obtain general environmental information?
How recent is the information?
How do I obtain additional information?
What is the new “Special Assessments" Disclosure?
The “Special Assessments" disclosure was brought about by the passage of California Senate Bill 1122, which requires sellers of residential properties of 4 units or less to disclose whether the property is within a “special assessment" district. The items being referred to as “special assessments" are those that have been levied under the Bond Improvement act of 1915, and are fixed lien assessments that are collected in installments to secure improvement bonds issued under the Act. These assessments are different than, and in addition to, those issued under the more well-known Mello Roos Community Facilities Act.
The law requires that the seller make a good faith effort to provide a “Notice of Special Tax" from each local agency that levies the special tax, as long as the notices are made available by the local agency. Cities and Counties vary in terms of where this type of information may be made available, and include offices such as: the local Controller, Finance Department, Treasurer or Tax Assessor. Note that both Mello-Roos and 1915 Bond assessments are also disclosed in the Preliminary Title Report as “liens" against a property. Our disclosure provides a summary of these taxes if the property is located in one of these disctricts, but is not a “Notice of Special Tax."
Most organizations are still grappling with how they will comply with this new legislation. For more information call the California Association of Realtors or got to http://www.CAR.org
What is the difference between the mello roos and special assessment disclosures in the
Gold report and the new “Tax Disclosure" report?
The Mello Roos Special Assessment disclosuresin the Disclosuresave Gold Report
are simple Yes/No determinations for the existence of taxes on the subject property.
The new Tax Disclosure Reportdelivers the detailed tax information and many usefull breakdowns of
taxes on the property, not just Mello Roos and Special Assessments.
This report meets the sellers obligation under SB1122 to provide
"a notice of special tax."
What is a 1915 Special Assessment? 1915 bonds are commonly an amount that is included in your anual property taxes to pay for bonds that financed infrastructure projects such as utilites, sewer lines, roads, etc... These will typically be listed as an Assessment District or Assessment Bond line item on your tax bill. It is important to note that the assessments are secured by a lien on your property, and the district has the right of foreclosure if assessments are not paid when due.
What Have You Done To Your Name?
We are making a small change in our name, to point out something that makes a BIG
difference to our customers and yours. In fact, it was one of our customers who gave us the idea.
- "…When I began to notice a significant drop-off in service from my old
disclosure company, I decided to give DisclosureSafe
a try. I have been very pleased with the quality of your
reports and the speed of your service. What I find most
striking though is the significant price difference
vs. what I used to pay for the same disclosures. I appreciate
the fact that I can order reports from you and save my
customers money at closing time. I will continue to spread the word…
but I really think you should consider changing your name to
DisclosureSAVE! …"
DisclosureSave gives you:
Why did you add Airport Proximity and Military Ordnance to Your Gold Report?
A recent customer survey showed that our customers were interested in having the option of ordering a more comprehensive report with these added disclosures. We responded by adding those to our GOLD report, so that we could keep the price of our standard SILVER report at the industry-low price of $29.50.
What is included in the Airport Proximity Report?
This is a two page disclosure that utilizes information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and designates whether a property is within 3 miles of a non-private airport boundary. It also provides the name, location and distance from the subject property of any non-private airport within 3 miles, and reports whether the subject property is in an aviation noise zone in excess of 65 decibels.
What is Included in the Military Ordnance Report?
This is a two page disclosure which designates whether the subject property is within 1 mile of a former military ordnance site. Military ordnance could be ammunition, explosives, hazardous waste, or debris left behind at formerly used defense sites. The risk level of the materials left at these sites have been evaluated and given a risk assessment or RAC score from 1-5, with 1 being the most harmful and 5 being the least harmful.
If the subject property is found to be within 1 mile of one of these known sites, the location name, government identification number and RAC score is provided.
What should I do to comply with the new mold disclosure law?
We are following the recommendations of CAR, as interpreted by our legal counsel,
Which are:
1. That the agent should note any mold that he/she sees or is made aware of on the residential disclosure form that has been newly ammended to include a section for mold.
2. That the agent should give the buyer a copy of the environmental guide to earthquake and other hazards which has a new chapter 6, which covers mold. This booklet is available through CAR and included free with mailed copies of our gold and platinum level reports.
3. It has also been recommended that the agent inform potential buyers that if they are concerned about mold that they can have a mold inspection done.
How Can Disclosure Safe Charge So Much Less?
Disclosure Safe launched in 1999, using the latest Geographic Information Systems to digitize map data. Digitizing map data allows every element of a hazard map to be converted from paper form to digital form. GIS technology allows us to create an "error free" environment where consistent and proven mapping of hazards can be applied. Our GIS technology virtually eliminates human error from our process, providing consistency where it counts. In cases where subject properties are on or near hazard boundaries, GIS allows our qualified research staff to quickly and efficiently map subject properties down to the nearest parcel level and make correct determinations.
We didn't stop with digitizing the maps, we automated the entire process. This means we can complete reports in less time with fewer people than most of our competitors who are still relying on paper maps and manual processes. Every report is still subject to our stringent quality standards and all are inspected by a qualified researcher before they go out the door
What is a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement?
A NHDS is the state mandated form used for disclosure of natural hazards pursuant
to the California Natural Hazard Disclosure Law. It lists all six geologic hazard
zones along with a "yes", "no", or "do not know" box to be checked off verifying whether
or not the subject property lies within one of the zones. A completed NHDS is
included with all DisclosureSave reports.
What is the difference between geologic and environmental hazards?
Geologic hazards occur through acts of Nature such as earthquakes, floods,
fires, and dam breaks. These occurrences cause damage and destruction to real
property in many different ways. Environmental hazards are man made hazards
that include items such as, leaking underground storage tanks, landfill areas,
and toxic waste areas.
How do I order my DisclosureSave Report?
Order reports by clicking here and filling in the online order form.
Reports may also be ordered by fax using our printable order form and
faxing it to our office. If you have questions or problems ordering a report,
please call our customer service center toll free at 877-302-3262, Mon -
Fri, 7:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. PST.
How will I pay for my DisclosureSave report?
DisclosureSave reports ordered online can be paid for by credit card. All credit card
transactions are encrypted and secured for your safety and privacy. In addition,
orders may be paid through escrow by supplying title or escrow company name,
address, closing officer name, closing date, and closing number. Invoices will
be forwarded to the closing office prior to the scheduled closing date.
How long will it take to get my DisclosureSave report?
Obtaining a DisclosureSave report is fast and easy. Most reports are typically
delivered online within a few minutes. Fax orders are returned within four business
hours. Every order will also receive four original copies sent by Priority USPS
mail upon completion of the online or fax process.
What is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology?
Geographic Information Systems use automated mapping technology to digitize
map data. Digitizing map data allows every element of a hazard map to be converted
from paper form to digital form.
How does GIS technology ensure accurate disclosure
reports?
Every DisclosureSave report will be completed using the GIS process. GIS technology
allows DisclosureSave to create an "error free" environment where consistent and
proven mapping of hazards can be applied. This process virtually
eliminates human error from our process, providing consistency where it counts.
In cases where subject properties are on or near hazard boundaries, GIS allows
our qualified research staff to quickly and efficiently map subject properties
down to the nearest parcel level and make correct determinations.
All state approved hazard maps have been digitized by DisclosureSave. However, there are some counties and municipalities that have not approved their maps for hazard determination. DisclosureSave has taken the lead on this issue and the majority of those maps have already been digitized. Having these maps digitized further increases the accuracy of our determinations. In the event a subject property requires manual research, the research will be conducted using digital data, ensuring pinpoint accuracy.
Does DisclosureSave carry errors and omissions
insurance?
DisclosureSave boasts one the highest errors and omissions coverage in the
industry. In the unlikely event that a DisclosureSave report contains an error,
we are ready to stand behind our product with $10 million of errors
and omissions coverage.
What is an Environmental Hazard report?
The Environmental Hazard report provides information on known federal and state
hazardous waste sites, state solid waste sites, and leaking underground fuel tanks
within 1/2 mile of the subject property. The report is specifically designed for
buyers and sellers in residential property transactions. Public records and
official lists that inventory contaminated sites are used to prepare this
report.
Why should I order an Environmental Hazard report?
To ensure that the buyer and seller of residential property transactions are fully
protected.
What is included in an Environmental Hazard report?
The lists used in this
report include the National Priorities List (NPL), Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS), CAL-SITES
(AWP), Solid Waste Information System - SWF/LF (SWIS), and the Leaking
Underground Storage Tank Information System (LUST).
- Sites within 1/4 mile with a known leaking underground fuel tank will be listed.
- Sites within 1/2 mile known to have contamination other than fuel will be listed.
What can I do if the Environmental Hazard report comes
back with unfavorable results?
Contact the overseeing agency that is responsible for organizing
clean-up efforts for that site. Contact an environmental professional to oversee
a file review. Consider having an onsite Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
performed by a California Registered Environmental Assessor.
How do I obtain general environmental information?
Brochures published by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) are a good source of general information. County health departments may
have a health and safety officer or a "haz-mat" (hazardous materials)
specialist that can answer general questions.
California Environmental Protection Agency: (916) 445-3846
Federal Environmental Protection Agency Public Information Office:
(408) 299-6930
How recent is the information?
We use only the most up-to-date, official lists of contaminated sites.The lists
used in this report are up-dated at various intervals with some being up-dated on
an irregular basis. Update schedules are determined by the agency responsible for
maintaining the list and are subject to change without notice.
How do I obtain additional information?
Contact the overseeing agency that is responsible for
organizing clean-up efforts for that site. There is no single agency that handles information for all contaminated
sites. Multiple agencies are responsible for organizing clean-up efforts at
different types of sites. Each
generally maintains files on the sites they oversee with information on the
type and extent of contamination, clean-up efforts.
National Priority List (NPL sites - commonly called “Superfund")
The NPL is a subset of CERCLIS and identifies over 1,200 sites for priority cleanup under the Superfund Program. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Hotline at (800) 424-9346 to speak with a Superfund consultant to request information from the individual Site Fact Sheet. This help-line can also provide you with the phone number of the local Community Relations Coordinator for the site in question and the location of the local information repository for that site. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) CERCLIS contains data on potentially hazardous waste sites that have been reported to the USEPA by states, municipalities, private companies and private persons, pursuant to Section 103 of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. CERCLIS contains sites which have either been proposed to or on the National Priorities List (NPL) and sites which are in the screening and assessment phase for possible inclusion on the NPL. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency at (703) 413-0223 for site specific information. CAL-SITES (AWP) California annual workplan sites are known hazardous waste sites. California DTSC’s Annual Workplan (AWP), formerly BEP, identifies known hazardous substance sites targeted for cleanup. Contact the California Environmental Protection Agency at (916) 323-3400 for site specific information. Solid Waste Information System - SWF/LF (SWIS) This information lists active, closed, and inactive landfills.SWF/LF records contain inventory of solid waste disposal facilities and landfills. These may be active or inactive facilities or open dumps that failed to meet RCRA Section 4004 criteria for solid waste landfills or disposal sites. Contact the Integrated Waste Management Board at (916) 341-6320 for site specific information. Leaking Underground Storage Tank Information System (LUST) Leaking fuel tanks are the most widespread source of contamination. For specific questions, telephone the State Water Resource Control Board at (916) 445-6532. For additional information on an individual site, ask where the files are held locally. Contact the local agency and ask what the procedure is to view an individual site file.
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