Just had an agent comment on my prior blog: AGENT BEWARE!
She had attended a class where the instructor raised the same issue I had. But, his suggestions was for the agent to go to the govenmental agency and put together a package of permits for the buyer: NO. NO & NO AGAIN.
Several problems with this approach:
- You many not get all the permits. Cities are notorious for being sloppy and in most jurisidictions, have governmental immunity, meaning they can't be sued for negligence
- Permits are complicated. If you are adding a master bedroom, it is not common to have one permits but there will be seperate signoffs for foundation, structural/framing, electrical, plumbing, roof, etc, etc. So, you can see where this could lead.
- Once you have the permits, it probably imposes a duty on you to now audit the list. Meaning, you have to walk around the house and see what MIGHT be improved or not original e.g. new roof, deck, pool, kitchen, remoded basement, etc, etc.
- If you speak to someone in planning and pass on what they say, you may be liable if that information if faulty
- Very common that permits are taken out but there is no final inspeciton by the city or county. Contractors are notorious for this because once the job is done, they don't want to wait to get paid.
- Permits are confusing. Most clients and agents can not read them, so what have you accomplished by giving them the permits> It is better than not giving them to them but places additional burden on the buyers agent to give them good advice
Another agent commented that they don't have this problem. Well, I hope you are right. But, that doesn't forgive the Buyer's agent from the duty to point out that non-permitted improvements can be a nightmare.
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