What term refers to a statement made that is regarded as an untrue fact?

The term that refers to a statement made that is regarded as an untrue fact is misrepresentation. In real estate, misrepresentation occurs when one party provides false information that the other party relies upon to make a decision. This could be a statement about the condition of a property, the terms of a contract, or any aspect that could influence the agreement.

Misrepresentation can be intentional, where deceit is involved, or unintentional, where a false statement is made without the intent to deceive. It's important to understand that even unintentional misrepresentation can lead to legal repercussions if the harmed party can prove they relied on the false statement.

While terms like defamation and fraud also relate to false statements, they have distinct definitions. Defamation involves harm to someone's reputation through false statements, while fraud generally includes deception for personal gain, encompassing a broader range of deceitful actions. Concealment refers to the act of hiding information rather than making a false statement. Hence, misrepresentation directly addresses untrue facts communicated in a real estate context.