What is the main characteristic of a latent defect?

A latent defect is primarily characterized by being hidden from plain sight and not immediately apparent, which distinguishes it from other types of defects that can be identified during a standard inspection. This characteristic can lead to significant issues in real estate transactions because buyers may not discover these defects until after the purchase.

For example, a latent defect might refer to problems such as structural issues within walls, plumbing problems behind fixtures, or mold hidden beneath carpets. These issues are often not visible to the naked eye and require specialized inspections or knowledge to uncover. Since buyers typically expect that they are purchasing a property free of significant defects, the presence of a latent defect can create liability issues for sellers, as they may be required to disclose such hidden problems.

In contrast, defects that are easily visible or can be identified through ordinary inspection do not fall under the category of latent defects, making option C the most accurate representation of what defines a latent defect.