Hi...

Alright, I've a question....I'm not sure if I'm over reacting, but I'd just had an offer accepted to buy a house that has has extensive renovations done, including the removal of a support wall with a beam installed in its place. At the time, we asked the vendor if a permit had been issued, they answered no, but the contractor is well established and we're pretty sure he had one done. I called the contractor who quoted me the code and said they went over and above that, that the reno was done years ago and any sagging would be evident by now if it was done incorrectly. When pushed though, he said that no there was no permit issued, and yes, there probably should have been one.

Now, I can still walk away due to some semi-related conditions, so with that in mind I sent the agent off to explain that if the vendors wanted the conditions lifted and the sale to go through, then prior to the home inspection they need to contact the city, obtain a permit and have the work signed off by the city, with any destructive probing done by the city repaired to it's original condition.

Is this over reacting?

I'm a first time buyer, and I don't want to buy a problem just cause people are telling me it's no big deal. As I see it, this was a big structural change (the wall was on the first floor of a two story) without permits and inspection by the city, and, well, for my money, that's a huge deal.

I don't see anything wrong with asking the seller for the signed off permits prior to closing. In Washington State, this would be covered in the Seller's Disclosure Statement. The seller is required to disclose ANY renovations or remodels that were done to the property and if the appropriate permits were completed and signed off.

If the seller did the work properly they should have no problem acquiring the permit. If you don't get the permit, what are you going to do when you go to sell the property and a buyer asks you about the permit?

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Ryan A. Martin - Windermere Real Estate / Whatcom Inc.

Your Bellingham real estate professional specializing in the listing and sales of Bellingham condos. Also check out my Anacortes real estate website for information about Fidalgo Island and Anacortes, WA

Thanks Ryan.....man what a stressful little snag. It actually was mentioned in the disclosure that there was no permit, but when asked it was said that the contractor held the permit, so not to worry about it, just give the contractor a call. When I called the contractor and found out there wasn't a permit, that's when I kinda got angry.

Well, heard back from the agent. He told them the issue, they responded that it was no big deal and told me to pound salt. My agent mentioned that I was very prepared to do just that. Time passed. More time passed. They flinched. They'd called the city, who said they would issue the permit after doing an inspection including destruction of whatever necessary to inspect.

So it's done....I'm going to get my signed permit. My father in law thinks I'm being picky, but I'm just trying to keep myself from having to pay for someone else's mistake.

Hauger - You did the right thing. Don't stress over it. If something had been wrong with the work and the permit could not have been obtained, you would have been REALLY happy that you pressed the issue.

I am happy to hear that it worked out for you.

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Ryan A. Martin - Windermere Real Estate / Whatcom Inc.

Your Bellingham real estate professional specializing in the listing and sales of Bellingham condos. Also check out my Anacortes real estate website for information about Fidalgo Island and Anacortes, WA

I don't think you over reacting at all, I think you did the right thing. This could be a danger if it was not done correctly and it all becomes your responsibility once you close.

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Mike Taylor
Indianapolis Real Estate | Carmel Real Estate |My REW Blog

Around here there would have to be an engineer's stamp of approval before a permit would be issued. Town building inspectors typically are not licensed engineers.

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Serving all your Outer Banks real estate needs and for the latest OBX events visit the Outer Banks Community Forum.

IMO, you did the appropriate thing.

Buying a home is a huge investment so go ahead and be as picky you want, if that gives you peace of mind! You're the one who is going to have to deal with any problems that arise from this, not the seller or the contractor!

I would have walked away from this deal myself, but that's me.

No permits/inspection approval for structural renovations = no deal.

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Jessie: Panama City Beach Real Estate, Panama City Real Estate and Panama City Beach Condos

I would make sure the permit is in place before the close of escrow. It sounds like the seller has agreed to get the permit, just make sure it has been signed off.

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Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Davis CA Real Estate
Woodland and Davis CA home search Woodland CA Real Estate