"Let the buyer beware"

Caveat emptor is a Latin phrase that can be roughly translated in English to "let the buyer beware." While the phrase is sometimes used as a proverb in English, it is also sometimes used in legal contracts as a type of disclaimer. In many jurisdictions, it is the contract law principle that places the onus on the buyer to perform due diligence before making a purchase. The term is commonly used in real property transactions–as it relates to the sale of real estate property, and transactions of other types of goods, such as cars.