Overreaction of the year...Claimed the Listing Agent

Twenty years ago there does't seem to be that many unpermitted upgrades but today you can spot them relatively easily. Just like the sore thumb of a handyman who wields the hammer. Great post!

I've run into these Realtors around here as well, Sally and David.  They make a lot of noise, but when I ask them to write this down to show an attorney or to a judge, they seem to lose their voice quickly.

If you are going to do something, do it right or don't do it at all.

Good post and the buyers are fortunate you were able to find out work was done without permits.And it could have been a problem with the appraisal and lender as well.

Here on Cape Cod, we also have conservation activity / restrictions / dock licenses / etc., as well as the permit issues. Holly and I, like you, also work hard to be thorough for the buyers and sellers we work for. We believe that the era of information is upon us, and we are rising to the requests for information and solutions from our sellers and buyers.

Great post Sally and David.  It's our job to pass on the information.  Whether or not the information is accepted is another story.  You can lead a horse......etc.  In my area of Florida, garage conversions can spell trouble for a buyer or the seller for that matter.  "Forewarned is Forearmed!"

The central section of San Jose is often left over from the county unincorporated neighborhoods. Roads were paved over old farming dirt or gravel roads. Homes and backyards added in law quarters sometime two stories all done w/o a permit. Now the investors are jumping on wagon dividing small homes on dual lots or those incorretly zoned as R2. One sees a two or three story home looking over someone backyard with one story below. What a mess!   The only way is fix is rebuild the entire area. 

"Over reaction of the year!"  ?  Perhaps, but its the potential buyers reaction and the seller's agent  has to come to grips that buyers will perform their due diligence.  With your help & extertise of course.

The workmanship was a tad casual. Knowing before buying is better for everyone. To avoid court house steps and billable hours over the heart ache. It's hard tellin' without knowin' is another expression Sally K. & David L. Hanson !

Definitely not an overreaction. The owners may have been fine living with this situation- but when asking someone else to assume the risks they dealt with- it is a different standard- and they shouldn't be surprised.

This goes with a realtors' responsibility of doing his or her due diligence and disclosing to everyone involved in the transaction.

Wow! Where was the responsibility to disclose that permits weren’t obtained?

Sally & David,
The agent who called this the over reaction is underwhelming in his duty to his client. I feel like the listing agent should have asked about the permitting issue in advance. When Stevie Wonder could see the issues it should be disclosed up front at the least and probably corrected before listing the house. As a REALTOR when we “suspect” there are not permits we must ask and disclose.

Morris “Bill” Austin

Full disclosure and documented attestation of all structural and electrical repairs or additions are essential in addition to the TDS especially when it appears that any changes to the original property were made.  

Unbelievable, Sally! Didn't you just want to say, "Overreaction, my ass?!!" 

Agents in this business never cease to amaze me - and they still have licenses??Go figure!

And they probably wanted to base the sales price on that below grade space as though it was above grade to add insult to injury.

Here in Florida, we do not see lower level finishes, but we do see a lot of older homes with garages enclosed and made into a bedroom or family room.

Many are not permitted. It is not an overreaction to address these issues, it is being responsible and doing due diligence.

Great and informative post.

My first question would have been, "Do you have the permits?"  

Hmm...  Not an overreaction, just an under disclosure.  The first thing I do after securing the listing, is visit the code office and check the permits. In many cases,  a seller has pulled a permit but never closed it out.  Needs to be corrected or disclosed!

During a remodel, you just don't know what corners have been cut until it's too late.  There doesn't seem to be much pride in workmanship like the old days.  Good advice in this post!