Is it possible to sell a house without the buyer knowing in the United States?

In the United States, it is not possible to legally sell a house without the buyer knowing. Real estate transactions require transparency and the involvement of both parties to ensure that all legal, financial, and ethical obligations are met. Here's why:

Legal and Ethical Requirements

Disclosure Obligations: Sellers are required by law to disclose certain information about the property to buyers. This includes any known defects or issues that could affect the property's value or safety. These disclosures must be provided to the buyer before the sale is finalized[2][3].
Contractual Agreements: A real estate transaction involves signing a sales contract, which both the buyer and seller must agree upon. This contract outlines the terms of the sale, including price, contingencies, and closing date[3].
Title Transfer: The transfer of property ownership requires a clear title, which involves a title search and the preparation of a deed. Both parties need to be aware of and agree to these terms for the sale to proceed legally[3].
Financial Transactions: Buyers typically need to secure financing or provide proof of funds, which necessitates their involvement in the transaction process.

Practical Considerations

For Sale By Owner (FSBO): While sellers can choose to sell their home without a realtor (FSBO), this still requires direct interaction with the buyer or their representative to complete necessary paperwork and negotiate terms[1][5].
Real Estate Agents and Attorneys: Even if not using a realtor, sellers often involve real estate attorneys to ensure all legal documents are correctly handled, further emphasizing the need for transparency with buyers[1][2].

In summary, while you can sell a house without a realtor, selling without the buyer knowing is not feasible or legal due to the required disclosures, contractual agreements, and legal processes involved in real estate transactions.

Citations: [1] https://www.homelight.com/blog/selling-your-house-without-a-realtor/ [2] https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/sell-house-by-owner-in-california/ [3] https://www.fastexpert.com/blog/paperwork-for-selling-house-without-realtor/ [4] https://www.reddit.com/r/realtors/comments/1bnoev3/is_there_a_way_to_sell_our_house_without_certain/ [5] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/for-sale-by-owner.asp [6] https://bhhsselectstl.com/view-blog/selling-a-house-without-buying-another-what-you-need-to-know [7] https://leavethekey.com/blog/pros-cons-selling-house-you-just-bought/ [8] https://www.investopedia.com/principal-residence-exclusion-8683281