What Price Nondisclosure? The Effects of Nondisclosure of Real Estate Sales Prices*

In: Social science quarterly, Volume 85, Issue 2, p. 509-520

Abstract

Objective. Only a select set of states still do not require mandatory public disclosure of real estate sales prices. In this article we examine the possible public‐sector consequences of failing to make real estate sales prices publicly accessible.Methods. We propose a set of possible public‐sector consequences of sales price nondisclosure (property tax assessment inequities, tax revenue leakages, administrative inefficiencies, and related ancillary effects). We identify examples, provide limited empirical evidence (simple regressions and distributional analyses) on the restricted data available, and discuss the relevant legal considerations at a variety of administrative and geographic scales.Results. The limited statistical results and examples provide evidence of possible inequities in effective tax rates and tax revenue leakages that may be connected to sale price nondisclosure.Conclusions. We argue that there is a strong prima facie case for legitimate public concerns attached to real estate sales price nondisclosure.