Understanding non-disclosure states in real estate

What non-disclosure states are, which states are included, and what it means for pricing and market analysis.

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Overview

In most U.S. states, real estate sale prices are part of the public record. In non-disclosure states, sale prices are not publicly recorded — making accurate comps and pricing analysis more dependent on MLS access and local agent expertise.

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What is a non-disclosure state?

In non-disclosure states, the sale price of a property is not required to be publicly reported. This means sale price data is not available through government records, tax assessor websites, or most public-facing real estate platforms.

Sale price information in these states is typically accessible only to:

• Licensed real estate agents via MLS access
• Certified appraisers using private valuation tools
• Industry platforms built for market analysis

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Current non-disclosure states

The following 12 states do not require public disclosure of property sale prices:

Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

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What this means for agents and clients

If you're operating in or serving clients in a non-disclosure state:

• Public platforms may show incomplete data — sale prices on Zillow, Realtor.com, and similar sites may be missing or estimated
• Accurate comps require MLS access — reliable sold price data is available through the MLS rather than public records
• Local expertise matters more — market trends rely more heavily on agent knowledge and private data sources

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FAQs

Why do some states not require sale price disclosure?

Non-disclosure laws vary by state and are typically rooted in privacy protections for property owners. Each state sets its own rules about what real estate transaction data must be made public.

Does non-disclosure affect how property taxes are assessed?

In non-disclosure states, tax assessors may use different methods to estimate property values since sale prices aren't publicly available — including mass appraisal models or periodic reappraisals.

Can buyers find out what a home sold for in a non-disclosure state?

Not through public records. Buyers working with a licensed real estate agent may be able to access sold price data through the MLS, depending on the agent's board membership and data sharing agreements.