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How do Building permits or Lack Thereof Affect Appraised Values?
Upon request of a fellow Active Rain Member, Patty Da Silva, I am passing along what I know to be the truth about Building permits and how they impact or affect the appraisal on a property.
http://activerain.com/pattydasilva
 

 
First and foremost, local, county and state laws differ to varying degrees. I am in North Georgia. Building permits are required to be pulled whenever you are renovating a home which will include framing, plumbing or electrical work. Also required to pull permits for new or replacement decks if they are more than 30" above the ground. FENCES, no permit is required. If you plan to replace just cabinets and counters in kitchens or baths, NO permit is required. Check with your local planning and zoning departments on when permits are required.
If someone finishes their basement or encloses their garage into living space a permit is required.
NOW, how does this affect the appraisal. I can tell you for a fact that I do not routinely, nor do my peers and colleagues check building permits to see if someone did have a permit pulled for renovations noted above. This is not the responsibility or the obligation of the appraiser to do this. ... more

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