Readers to the rescue

I may be selling my condo. A neighbor's cigarette smoke is sometimes noticeable in one of my bathrooms. Am I obligated to tell potential buyers? --N., Alexandria, Va.

Our reader says: A good rule of thumb: Would you like to have known about the problem before you moved in? And would a reasonable person with ordinary sensibilities make a decision not to buy the condo based on the disclosure? If either answer is yes, you should disclose. --Charles Clay, Long Beach

The expert says: You have a legal obligation not to fool the buyer, says Barbara Corcoran, founder of the Corcoran Group, a real estate firm. "Hiding a potential health hazard like secondhand smoke could be grounds for rescinding a sale or for a lawsuit." The good news: In a condo, management is responsible for resolving health issues. So get yours to do so before you list your unit.

NEXT: Dining with imbibers