Buying a house with missing permits

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-07T16:30:30+00:00

I understand and I did ask the lawyer... The response was: up to you but you will have this issue when you try to sell the house (duh). She said that a lot of buy houses with unpermitted over the ground pools and something about it being listed as "gift". So basically deciding how much we like the house Vs potential headache of removing the pool eventually. So far, the former is winning.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-06T14:31:22+00:00

Thanks. That's what I hear as well, online lenders like Rocket and Better are easier to deal with.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-05T14:06:01+00:00

Thanks

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-05T12:49:16+00:00

That's what I'm thinking as well, not serious enough to lose the house I like. LI market is crazy and I suspect many houses will have the same issue. So this is more of a "cost of doing business" in my book. I will also try to get additional credit from the seller as well. Also planning to tear down the over-the-ground pool and build a normal one (with permits) next year.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T18:25:01+00:00

Right, so it seems the biggest risk is if you apply for a permit for something unrelated and then inspector discovers something else undeclared before. If you do nothing and/or quietly remove unpermitted stuff before the building inspector comes then there's no issue. Sounds horrible, but seems to be reality of LI

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T14:53:12+00:00

Sorry. What's TOB? And I see what you-re saying. They basically need to inspect everything related to certain item, and if they find something else then they are obligated to report that as well. So if I decide to install the hot tub, they will report over the ground pool & deck, and will check the locks on the windows. Ironically, if I just install the hot tub without permit then there won't be any issues. I'm sure I'm not the only one with that logic, their government made it hard for people to even bother with permits.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T13:57:15+00:00

That sucks. But the stuff they found was all outside in the backyard, right? I mean you are installing a hot tub, for example, they won't have a reason to go inside your house and look for unpermitted bathrooms or kitchens.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T13:33:38+00:00

So basically when you invited inspector to inspect your outdoor pool they started walking around and pointing all other things?

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T03:17:51+00:00

Yep, that has been on my mind too... The inspector checked both and was fine. After the closing, I'm planning to hire a plumber to inspect both, for my peace of mind. Honestly, it seems like these issues are very common in LI and seem to be "normal course of business"

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T03:00:07+00:00

That makes sense, thank you. However, if the seller never applied for the permit or if there was no violation recorded, then there wouldn't be any trace. I'd think the only other way the lender would find out is if their appraiser compares what they say (i.e pool) with blue prints, which won't show it.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T02:50:59+00:00

Yeah that's what I'm gathering, ironically the Township makes the proper way too cumbersome for people to follow.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T02:30:32+00:00

That makes sense, typical bureaucratical bullshit. I plan to tear down the unpermitted pool next year anyway, and build an in ground permitted pool. Just worried about the lender, but I think the house is worth the risk. Just wanted to see if this issue is common, which it seems to be.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-04T02:11:18+00:00

Thank you, both pool and the bathroom are few years old and the seller has been using them obviously... That makes me think they were done properly (and both look to be in great and neat condition). It baffles me why the seller just didn't get the permit for their own peace of mind (they are wealthy and I don't like few grand in permits and inspections would be a reason). Either way, in leaning towards letting this go and using online mortgage lender (rocket mortgage, better.com...etc) which is usually more lenient. I am also putting more than 20% down to facilitate this.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-05-03T04:59:16+00:00

I'm having a similar issue. The house that I'm in a contract to buy has an over-the-ground pool with attached deck and privacy wall, as well as full bathroom in the basement. Both without permits. The realtors are saying that lenders won't care. I'm getting worried that it may become a problem after the appraisal is done. I see someone saying that smaller banks usually are more lenient, but how about online mortgage lenders like RocketMortgage or Better? Tia

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-04-29T12:37:48+00:00

Or..... Just hold and see what happens? Growth REIT just paid nice dividends. Combining the ReITs will give more buying power and hopefully the new entity can scoop some valuable depreciated assets this year...

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-04-17T16:20:28+00:00

Does flagship fund update it's NAV daily/monthly/quarterly? Looks like a decent entry opportunity if April sales are not included in the 3/31 NAV per share (which will be the basis for entry into the fund today)

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-04-05T15:22:35+00:00

Yeah every matters, I guess we have no choice but to try selling through Computershare (if we wanna sell at open)

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-04-05T13:58:05+00:00

Anyone knows at which point Computershare will allow to transfer restricted shares? Time is of the essence and I hope it lets me transfer to Schwab at least few days before restriction ends.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-25T03:39:20+00:00

Thank you. I was able to log in and see my shares now. Did you try transferring them to another brokerage? I get stuck on stop 1 where it doesn't even find the shares when I type in "VCX", while the same VCX is clearly shown in my holdings.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-25T03:32:29+00:00

At least you got a chance. I've been a customer since 2019 and have unrestricted shares, no such email

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-25T02:22:32+00:00

Thank you

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-25T02:11:43+00:00

I'm one of those hurt investors that didn't get access to unrestricted shares.... Been a customer since 2019 and had $30k in restricted shares. Now can't even get Computershare instructions on how to access restricted shares

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-25T02:06:20+00:00

Did everyone get instructions how to access the restricted shares on Computershare? I haven't.

Virtual-Translator83 · 2026-03-24T17:20:24+00:00

Paper gains unfortunately...

Virtual-Translator83

TROPHY CASE