Did You Pull the Permit for the Room Addition? So my client said he did not do the room addition but it was 
done prior to the closing when he bought the home. This is a conversation I have always when a room looks new or the client shares with me it is new upon listing a home. However, this brings up the conversation on permits. A permit is to be pulled when you do alterations to your home whether it is a new roof, electrical changes, add a bath, etc. Barbara Todaro's post the other day immediately brought to mind what homeowners continue to do out there without permits.
Without a permit pulled for doing a room renovation or addition can negate an insurance claim if you have a disaster in your home. Believe me I have seen that happen to homeowners. Your insurance company will check out that all permits have been pulled by you or your contractor. DO IT, please. It is one cost that is very little compared in the overall risk possibility you can face.
When
selling your home, I have had sellers argue with me about
pulling permits for room additions or renovations done and including them in my detail property descriptions. I do what is legally done to protect the homeowner and myself as the Realtor. If you did not pull permits, those updates are visible to all but not included in my advertising or descriptions.
Recently one of my sellers who has
waterfront RI real estate had been previously misinformed by the Realtor who had sold him his home. He was furious since he was told that all renovation permits were pulled & signed off on for final CO (certificate of occupancy) and as his representative she had verified that was true. The sign off by the town never happened. So what was he to do? He went to the building inspector, upon my urging, explained the issue and the building inspector came out with his crew and inspected. My seller was not penalized by the town. Unusual? Yes, perhaps but the building inspector was actually 'shocked' that the homeowner would come to him and realized it was not his fault and issued the final CO!
Think beyond the dollars at the time for future issues when trying to cut corners on your home renovations, please. Need someone who will guide you well on your home sale to protect and guide you? Please give me a call at 401.529.7849 to discuss your needs. Did You Pull the Permit for the Room Addition?
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Ginny Lacey Gorman is a North Kingstown Realtor who works and knows the North Kingstown RI geographic area of homes for sale, schools, happenings and important tidbits of information well.
Waterfront, water view, ocean front, luxury and coastal Rhode Island real estate are my specialty. If your considering Buying, Selling or Relocating to Rhode Island and need a real estate Professional it would be my pleasure to help you! When you are in need of an internet savvy RI realtor® who sells homes in this real estate market, call Ginny today at 401.529.7849.
This blog © and its contents is original to Ginny Lacey Gorman
Ginny L. Gorman a purveyor of Fine Waterfront RI Real Estate
Specializing in waterfront, ocean front, vacation, coastal and luxury homes for sale in North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Jamestown, Charlestown, East Greenwich, Exeter, West Greenwich, Westerly RI and beyond ... I sell dreams! because there is no place like home...the RI Realtor in the Sparkly Red Shoes.
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Good morning, Ginny..... this is such an important issue and there are many agents who think they have no responsibility to investigate and give the proper direction..... it's their job and hopefully the homeowner follows that direction.....it's lawsuit material.... and thanks for the mention.
Ginny, I see this all the time, homeowners trying to cut corners by not getting permits. I even had a seller tell the HVAC contractor not to pull the permit - he got it in writing when he had her sign their contract that she instructed him not to pull the permit then when she needed the CO she tried to tell the inspector the contractor told her not to get the permit. She's no longer a client.
Oh yes, this can definitely hold up the sale of a home when they get to title. I"ve even heard of instances where it cost them MAJOR money because the addition wasn't done right and needed to be torn down. Do it right the first time. It's the best, safest and in the long run most cost effective way to do things.
Hi Ginny,
In this county you can get into a lot of trouble not getting a permit for the addition. I tell everyone all the time to get a permit. And Carlsbad has an "extra territorial zone". This extends the city's jurisdiction out another five miles past the limits as well.
Have a great day in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Best, Clint McKie
Ginny, this topic made up a good percentage of our Continuing Ed last month. It is a big deal and will only become a bigger deal. Thanks for the note about disasters and insurance coverage.
Ginny - I recently did not get a listing because there was an illegal deck, and I needed to know if he would legalize it (the gentleman did not have any money and said he could not legalize it).. He was going to talk to a family member and lo and behold another agent listed the house - higher than my given price and no mention of the new deck... I guess she thought that they would get a buyer and then he would be forced to do something... sad.. The man is ill so why add to his troubles and give him false hope.. the deck issue will come up, and the house - being overpriced, is sitting there.
Great blog topic especially when it can hold up a sale or affect an insurance claim.
Ginny, great post today for buyers and sellers preparing their homes for sale. Here is Colorado it is not required, but the electric & plumbing should be completed by licensed tradesmen.
Good morning Ginny,
Informative post and excellent advice! Thanks for the information about disasters and insurance coverage, this issue is one many not factor in!
Ginny: I see this occasionally and it bears repeating over and over again...pull and check permits on every addition!
Know thy contractor is my best advice! Ask for the documentation for your files & do pull permits!
Ginny not pulling permits can be a big issue, and it is even worst if the homeowner does not tell the truth. Your Seller was very lucky, and I am sure that his honesty was the major reason.
I once had a contractor who tried to convince me that it was unnecessary to pull permits. Needless to say, I did not use him!
Hello Ginny,this is definitely an essential information here.I'm glad you had a chance to blog this.Great work here! Keep up the great work as number one North Kingstown Short Sale Agent.
Hi Ginny,
This is really excellent advice, and proves that working with a reputable and experienced agent is really necessary for one's own protection when getting involved in real estate. Great job, keep up the good work as a top North Kingstown short sale agent!