Devastated....Unpermitted garage conversation to office space

[Anonymous]

We were excited after we got the clear to close, but our attorney just told us that the municipal search came back and they found that the garage was converted to an office without permit.

The seller were not aware as when they bought the house it had already been converted.

What do people do in this case? We are waiting to hear back from our lawyer/realtor etc.

We feel for the seller as well.

[Anonymous]

It’s been that way how long? It’s fine. Probably one of the reasons you wanted to buy the house. By the house.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry. Having gone through this- it is definitely not fine. Have the sellers get the space retroactively permitted (its painful) or walk away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry. Having gone through this- it is definitely not fine. Have the sellers get the space retroactively permitted (its painful) or walk away.

What’s the issue? Insurance? Getting the loan closed?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t worry a lot about this. If it’s been functional and safe while in use for many years, what is the real level of risk?

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between an office and a garage? Can only think of it being a garage door. Maybe you have to install one then sheet rock over it on the inside.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see the big deal.

[Anonymous]

Ask for an extension and get the sellers to retroactively permit it. If they have financing, I am surprised this wasn’t caught when they closed? They should have just marketed it as garage space, the same way so many listings refer to a basement office even though it’s staged as a bedroom bc there isn’t sufficient egress.

[Anonymous]

What on earth? Half the houses in dmv have this! Why do you have an attorney doing municipal searches? Where is this? Another buyer will snap it up sorry. You might just not be ready to buy a house.

[Anonymous]

What “people do in this case” is proceed to closing unless the bank has stated that it will no longer give you the mortgage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What on earth? Half the houses in dmv have this! Why do you have an attorney doing municipal searches? Where is this? Another buyer will snap it up sorry. You might just not be ready to buy a house.

LOL I don't know what this either but when we were house hunting I remember a house with notes blatantly saying basement refinished/no permits/deal with it.

We didn't buy it but I'm pretty sure the house sold just fine.

Don't these things get grandfathered in after a while?

[Anonymous]

As long as you can get a mortgage and insurance what’s the issue?

[Anonymous]

You may not be able to get insurance so I would start making calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may not be able to get insurance so I would start making calls.

Our house was flipped with zero permits and we got home insurance with zero problems or questions. It’s worth talking to insurance but they should already be doing that / in the process now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry. Having gone through this- it is definitely not fine. Have the sellers get the space retroactively permitted (its painful) or walk away.

What’s the issue? Insurance? Getting the loan closed?

When you go to sell later or do more work- having to get retroactive permits is way expensive- have to bring everything up to code and repair all the open walls. If the finished square footage doesn't match the property record- can be issues with loan and insurance. Insurance won't cover unpermitted work so hope it doesn't start a fire.