Selling a No Permits House
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Anonymous
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Any glitches or problems listing and or selling a nicely improved, well maintained, 50 year old, 4 BR/3BA Colonial with an unfinished basement…that has never had one permit pulled?
All renovations (new windows, kitchen, bathrooms, electrical) done by almost original homeowner. Liability issues? Can homeowner refuse to sellers a home inspection? Homeowner wants to FSBO. |
Anonymous
| You can ask for a home inspection for informational purposes, even if you don’t make the offer contingent on it. If the owner balks then I would think twice about proceeding unless you’re getting a fantastic deal and can afford to fix whatever comes up. |
Anonymous
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My house was 99% diy by the old owner. I had 0 issues.
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Anonymous
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Shouldn't be any issues I would guess as long as everything passes inspection.
Windows, and many bathroom/kitchen renos don't even need permits (depending on if something was moved in the plumbing/electric). Electrical, electrical is behind walls so as long as it was done generally correctly and tests out, what's the problem? |
Anonymous
Cosmetic things don't need permit - windows, cabinets, etc. But, electrical and plumbing do as well as structural changes. A homeowner can refuse an inspection but if one does, run. If there are no permits, and do check, run. Not a house you want. |
Anonymous
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Cosmetically, our house looked great; the problems we found later were major and expensive to correct (think vertically venting hot water heater DIY vented horizontally with dryer vent tubing).
Always make sure the work was permitted. |
Anonymous
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OP and curious this is our neighbor who has plans to sell soon.
Widened a doorway, removed carpet, installed flooring, added all new windows, solo, about 10 years ago. Has installed HVAC, all appliances and maintains all. Has asked DH for recommendations for plumber once during an emergency. Otherwise no service technicians or contractors. |
Anonymous
Looks like the only thing there that needs a permit and inspection is HVAC? And why are you being a busybody? |
Anonymous
The only part of those that requires a permit is HVAC and if it’s a mini split, it doesn’t. |
Anonymous
| Absolutely do not get the county involved. Do not even contact them about this at all. The house is so old that the permit records were likely lost or never digitized. It will create issues if the county inspect the house and finds something they believe was done without a permit. You will have difficulty proving that it was permitted if the county lost the records. I have never heard of a home inspection actually pulling permits. |
Anonymous
HVAC needs a permit, replace appliances no except gas. Carpet, flooring. Windows no. |
Anonymous
| Permits are are mostly so they county can charge you more property taxes on home improvements. |
Anonymous
Well that, and to limit the chances your house blows up or burns down. Bike helmets and seat belts are just silly, too. |
Anonymous
my If you renovate a couple of bathrooms without adding square footage how much will that affect taxes? |
Anonymous
So, we have someone who is cheap and probably did those DIY projects on the cheap, too? Including electrical? Oh hell, no. Not touching that. |