Learning the Contract for Sale and Purchase
A Failure of Understanding Derails Conversation
CRSP-17: This Is the Seller’s Disclosure. Full Stop.
There are moments in every real estate deal where you can watch agents—on both sides—start guessing. This is one of them.
Ask 10 agents what a “seller’s disclosure” is in Florida and you’ll get 11 different answers. Some will say it’s a required form. Others will tell you it’s a moral duty. Many just email a PDF from the Florida Association of Realtors and call it a day. Most don’t realize that the actual seller’s disclosure—legally—is already baked right into the contract.
That’s where CRSP-17 Section 7 comes in. It’s the part most people never read—but it’s the legal spine of the entire idea of disclosure in Florida real estate.
Before we dive in, here’s the punchline:
✅ There is no mandatory form or required document format for a seller’s disclosure in Florida.
✅ The language in Section 7 of the CRSP-17 contract is itself a complete disclosure.
✅ A seller can legally say: “Section 7 is my disclosure.”
✅ Anything else—including the FAR/BAR Seller’s Property Disclosure form—is optional, suggested, and only required if the buyer requests it.
And still, most agents think otherwise. So let’s clear this up for good.
The Full Section 7 – CRSP-17 Contract:
7. Real Property Disclosures:
Seller represents that Seller does not know of any facts that materially affect the value of the Property, including but not limited to violations of governmental laws, rules, and regulations, other than those that Buyer can readily observe or that are known by or have been disclosed to Buyer.(a) Energy Efficiency: Buyer acknowledges receipt of the energy-efficiency information brochure required by Section 553.996, Florida Statutes.
(b) Radon Gas: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas... (full paragraph retained above).
(c) Flood Disclosure: Seller is required to provide Buyer a flood disclosure...
(d) Flood Zone: Buyer is advised to verify by survey...
(e) Homeowners’ Association: If membership in a homeowners’ association is mandatory...
(f) PROPERTY TAX DISCLOSURE SUMMARY: BUYER SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE SELLER'S CURRENT PROPERTY TAXES...
(g) Mold: Mold is part of the natural environment...
(h) Coastal Construction Control Line: If any part of the Property lies seaward...
That’s it. That’s the disclosure.
Where Agents Fail
Here’s where most buyer agents—and listing agents—drop the ball:
They treat the “Seller’s Property Disclosure” PDF from the FAR/BAR forms library as required.
They don’t understand that Florida law only requires disclosure of known facts that materially affect value and are not readily observable.
They fail to advise sellers that they are not obligated to fill out any additional form, even if one is requested.
They fail to advise buyers that they must formally request additional disclosures if they want them—and even then, the seller is not required to use a specific form.
This is a strategic, contractual moment in a deal—and agents treat it like a casual checkbox.
What the Law Actually Requires
In Florida:
A seller must disclose any material defect that could affect property value and is not easily seen.
The seller may use any format or method to make that disclosure.
The CRSP-17 Section 7 satisfies this requirement—and in the absence of a formal request for more, that’s all the seller is required to provide.
The Florida Supreme Court has supported this view in cases where sellers failed to disclose hidden defects. But the standard wasn’t whether they filled out a form—it was whether they knew about the issue, whether it materially affected value, and whether they intentionally failed to disclose.
Why It Matters: Inspection and Litigation
Here’s what disclosure is not: a guarantee of condition. That’s what inspections are for.
But here’s what disclosure does impact:
The inspection process: Buyers use disclosures to inform what to look for, what to ask about, and what to push on.
Future litigation: If a seller lies—or omits something they knew mattered—Section 7 becomes Exhibit A in court.
And if a buyer demands more? Sure—they can. But the seller can respond by saying:
“We refer you to Section 7 of the CRSP contract. That is our disclosure.”
And that’s legally valid.
Final Word: Stop Misadvising Your Clients
Sellers deserve to be protected from being forced into over-disclosure.
Buyers deserve to be clearly advised when they need to request more information.
And agents? Agents need to stop pretending a PDF is the law.
The law is already printed on Page 3 of the contract. Read it. Understand it. Advise accordingly.
🔗 The Series So Far – Learn the Florida Contract for Sale and Purchase (CRSP-17 Sections 1–20)
✅ Section 1 – Parties and Property Description
✅ Section 2 – Purchase Price
✅ Section 3 – Financing
✅ Section 4 – Closing Date; Occupancy
✅ Section 5 – Closing Procedure; Costs
✅ Section 6 – Inspection Periods
✅ Section 7 – Real Property Disclosures