One of the biggest pet peaves I have about Real Estate is watching the anguish a buyer goes through when they inherit a code violation for work which was never permitted. Validating structures and being able to recognize code violations is technically not the role of the agent, rather it is the responsibility of the seller to be honest on their disclosure forms and they buyer to do their due dilegence during feasibility.
Although the law does not require an agent to dig this deep, I believe if you are representing a buyer, we owe it to them to be as knowledgable as possible and assist in protecting their best interests.
A public records request will reveal permits back to a date the county or city orginally adopted building codes and required permits. Some of the more current permit records can often be found online but older permits will require a public records request. The Planner or Permit Technician in the Building/Planning department can answer general questions about what was required and when. The Assessor's records and appraisers notes may also be helpful in determining when things were built. Often the home inspector or appraiser discover potential violations but that is not always the case.
SAN JUAN COUNTY WASHINGTON
ONLINE PERMIT CENTER.
co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home
I cannot stress how important this step is and how easy it is to prevent expensive repairs or tear downs, lawsuits, heafty penalties and permitting expenses. It is also very important to do your discovery sooner than later and not at the last minute when loans have been obtained and everyone is ready move and execute closing. #sanjuanislandsrealestate #permitprofessionals #realestate #codeviolations #permits #afterthefact #builingcodes #buyerbeware #landuse #compliance www.sanjuanislandsre.com
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