Regarding real estate, there are currently 12 states in the US that are known as non disclosure states because they do not disclose the sales price of properties. Proponents of disclosure restriction claim that it protects privacy and increases stability in the real estate market. If your neighbor needed to sell their house fast and fire sold their property for pennies on the dollar, it could be beneficial in protecting your property value. Critics claim that transparency is key and that non disclosure laws make it harder to value property and even collect property taxes. It’s worth noting that different states have nuances in their laws; some do not record a sales price anywhere, and others only tell certain government offices.

Does Non Disclosure Protect Privacy?
In a non-disclosure state, what you bought your property for isn’t a public record, providing some anonymity. Still, the most recent list price is easy to find online, meaning interested parties will have a rough idea. The privacy you get as a buyer in a non-disclosure state is that folks won’t know if you got a great deal. If you’re a seller in a nondisclosure state, the public will not know if you had a bidding war or sold substantially below the list price. It’s worth noting that licensed real estate agents can access the sales price if your house is listed on the MLS. If you’re looking for anonymity in your properties, you might consider setting up a trust or an LLC in a state like Wyoming or Delaware.
A Consequence Of Non Disclosure States
When the government attempts to raise your property taxes, you can dispute their value claims or assessments. In nondisclosure states, providing concrete evidence of your home value is harder because only licensed agents can pull sale prices out of the MLS. You will have to pay for either a Broker’s Price Opinion (BPO) or Appraisal to find accurate home values.
Non-Disclosure States
Below, we’re going to cover all of the states that are currently nondisclosure and link to the government websites for each with more information.
Texas Is A Non Disclosure State
Texas law mandates certain disclosures regarding property conditions, which can be reviewed here. Texas law does NOT require the disclosure of real estate sales prices, so the practice is done so due to a lack of requirement versus specific case law. Interestingly, the law also doesn’t require sales price disclosure to state or governmental agencies. While one might hope that this would result in lower property taxes, Texas has the 5th highest property taxes in the country in an attempt to offset its lack of personal income taxes.
Montana Is A Non-Disclosure State
Montana has prioritized its citizens’ privacy over access to public records. In 2014, Montana passed the Public Disclosure Of Real Estate Sales Price, which requires sellers to complete a Realty Transfer Certificate. Still, the county clerk, recorder, and Department of Revenue must keep the information confidential. Similarly to our article on finding your home value, Montana suggests that residents look up their property on the assessor site, use online estimates, or hire an appraiser (at a cost of $3-500) if they’re trying to find their property value.
Utah Is A Non Disclosure State
Utah is similar to Texas in that no particular law or court case requires the disclosure of real estate sales prices, so it is simply omitted from public records. While Utah requires sellers to disclose known defects to buyers that might negatively impact property values, it also operates under “caveat emptor,” meaning buyer beware. While the required state disclosure form is pretty thorough, caveat emptor allows sellers to withhold any additional information they have that they aren’t directly questioned on. Some common issues that aren’t on the condition disclosure form are homicide/suicide, crime, noise, nonproperty disputes with neighbors, applications nearing the end of their lifespan, planned construction/zoning changes, or proximity to landfills/manufacturing plants.
Wyoming Is A Non Disclosure State
Wyoming is similar to Utah and Texas in that the state prioritizes confidentiality in real estate sales over public access to transaction data. Similarly to Montana, Wyoming requires sellers to complete a disclosure on instruments transferring title that includes the real sales price, date of sale, legal description, names/addresses of the parties, and even the value of any nonreal property included in the sale. That last bit closes a loophole of selling the property for one price and the furniture for another to reduce taxable values. Wyoming does have an exemption to the confidentially for when a seller is disputing their property taxes. That exemption requires the state to turn over statements of consideration and all other information used by the county assessor to determine the property’s value.
Missouri Is A Partial Disclosure State
Missouri is a partial disclosure state in that some of the most populated counties do require the disclosure of sale prices, but the state as a whole does not. If a property is located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or Jackson County, the sales price is deemed a matter of public record. Outside of those three counties the rest of Missouri operates as a non disclosure state. It’s worth pointing out that real estate agents are still encouraged to enter sales price data into their local MLS unless both the buyer and seller request to withhold the sales price. Missouri does require the disclosure of hazardous property conditions with the exception of psychological impacts. There are no statewide requirements for the disclosure of real estate sales prices outside of the three aforementioned locations.
North Dakota Is A Non Disclsoure State
North Dakota does not require the disclosure of real estate sales prices, but it does require a property disclosure form. You may find a fill-in-the-blank template for North Dakota property here. North Dakota’s non disclosure status is because there simply are no laws requiring buyers or sellers to share home sale prices publicly. North Dakota has strict privacy requirements that real estate agents must adhere to in order to protect their client’s confidentiality.
New Mexico Is A Non Disclosure State
New Mexico does have specific laws that forbid county assessors and Department of Revenue employees from disclosing property sales prices or values even after their employment has ended. New Mexico requires sellers to provide buyers with an estimated property tax levy but does not require a standard property condition disclosure form. The Realtors in New Mexico, however, have a commonly used disclosure form that is customary to be filled out. While New Mexico doesn’t explicitly require disclosure in state statutes, cases, and common law make it an obligation. Property sale prices are disclosed to local government officials for taxation.
Louisiana Is A Non Disclosure State
Louisiana does not mandate the public disclosure of real estate sales prices, so it is omitted from public records and only stored in the MLS, accessible by licensed real estate professionals. Louisiana requires disclosing known issues or defects that could lower property values. Interestingly, sales prices aren’t shared with the assessors either! Property taxes in Louisiana are calculated based on aggregate sales prices, the estimated cost to replace the structure (accounting for depreciation), and income if it’s an investment property. Louisiana has one of the lowest tax rates in the country, sitting at 0.55%.
Alaska Is A Non Disclosure State
Alaska is very similar to Louisiana in that sales prices aren’t disclosed publicly or even privately to government officials. In order to calculate property tax values Alaskan assessor utilize an appraisal approach where they look at private sales data (from the MLS), a cost to replace estimate, and income for properties that generate income. Alaska is unique in that assessors aren’t given sales prices but will try to access them from private sources. Alaska also may hire independent appraisers when they need help finding values. Alaska might also send property owners a form requesting that they disclose their sales price but responses are not mandatory as Alaska protects it’s citizens privacy. Alaska does require the disclosure of any known defects.
Mississippi Is A Non Disclosure State
Mississippi doesn’t require sales prices to be shared with state, local, or publicly accessible sources. While individuals can voluntarily report their sales price to the assessor for the calculation of property taxes, it’s not required. Private sources such as the MLS maintain a private database of sales prices. Mississippi does require the disclosure of any known issues that could potentially impact a property’s value or habitability. Due to the lack of sales price disclosure, tax assessors will utilize comparable sales, cost to replace estimates, and income if it’s a rental property.
Kansas Is A Non Disclosure State
Kansas doesn’t require sales price data do be disclosed in public records or to government officials. Kansas requires a county appraiser to visit each property once every six years. During this time, they’ll verify dimensions, assess the general condition, including structural damage, and look for changes/additions. Kansas tax assessors will use sale data that is shared by owners voluntarily, cost to replace estimates, and income on income-producing properties to assess a property for taxes. Adverse conditions are required to be disclosed to sellers.
Idaho Is A Non Disclosure State
Idaho residents aren’t required to report sales prices to the local government, nor is it recorded in any public records. Tax officials will use estimated values, appraisals, owner-submitted data, or cost-to-build estimates to assess property taxes. Idaho does require the disclosure of any known issues with a property at the time of sale.
Overall, non-disclosure appears to be a byproduct of legal omission and less of a privacy mandate. The #1 place where sales price is recorded is in local MLS systems accessible by licensed real estate agents. While some states may allow you to request that the MLS doesn’t store your sales data, most require their members to report it within 48 hours. Selling outside the MLS in a non disclosure state can afford you more privacy. If you want help valuing a property, please fill out the quick form for both a cash offer and a licensed agent’s opinion of what your home would sell off on the open market. At SoldFast, your information is always confidential and will not be shared with third parties. We’ve been buying and selling real estate for over 40 years and would love to serve your family.