patrick.net

Chicago_Guy says

I also don't know if I could retroactively permit the remodel and granny unit with the city building inspection department

I believe you can indeed. Might depend on which city. Get an inspector to look at it and tell you.

I know a guy who built an illegal backyard fireplace, but when neighbors complained, he had an inspector look at it and got it up to code.

Chicago_Guy says

I also don't know if I could retroactively permit the remodel and granny unit with the city building inspection

As someone who works as a building inspector (and has in several jurisdictions) will tell you that it really depends on the jurisdiction and what kind of a day the inspector has had. I've worked some jurisdictions where 90% an addition/remodel without a permit would be torn down or hit with so many corrections that it was cheaper to tear it down and start over than try to comply with the corrections. You will be hit with an increased building permit fee (anywhere from 1.5 times the usual fee to 3 times the usual fee). The building/addition will be required to meet today's code, not the code for the year that it was supposedly built and a LOT has changed from the 2004 code. Even IF you pay the permit fee and pay for ALL the remodeling to get them up to code, this type of building is frowned upon by many inspectors, meaning they can (and do) walk in with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They can (and will) look for the slightest discrepancy and write you up for it. By the same token, you might end up with a rookie inspector who doesn't know his rear end from a hole in the ground and will pass anything just to get on with his day. However, typically (95% of the time) they will send in someone with lots of experience who will make DAMN sure the building/addition is up to present day code. Use this as a bargaining chip, I'd knock a half a million off the purchase price because it could cost close to that to make it legal with the city. Just my two cents worth. Yeah, building without a permit is not looked kindly upon.

Chicago_Guy says

The seller agent and my buying agent are telling me this not unusual in the California market.

You are listening to people who have conflicting financial interest in giving you this advice. What did the building inspector say? He is the one that works for you. I would make the seller correct it or move on. But I don't love houses, I sleep in them or rent them out.

Warren Buffet wouldn't buy his daughter a $2.2M house.

If it was done with permits, 2.2m would be closer to 2.5m.

You are buying as is. If you want the benefit of the new space on record, them you'll to permit it.

Renting an unpermitted space is the issue. Think renter pays 5k in rent complains of health and there you go 200k out the door.

Straw Man says

Warren Buffet wouldn't buy his daughter a $2.2M house.

Warren Buffet wouldn't buy himself a $2.2 million house.

What is true is that there is an huge amount of un permitted work done in the bay area. Some jurisdictions now require a pre-sale city inspection. Anything unpermitted and or not up to code has to be brought up to code and permits paid or agreed by the buyer to be brought up to code by the buyer, before the sale can go through. This protects the buyer, but the main reason IMO is to get more fees. i expect this to be more and more common. So, even if this isnt the case where you are buying, it could be by the time your daughter sells in which case even though the work was done before she/you bought she/you would be responsible. This issue was litigated in San Rafael recently.

Strategist says

Straw Man says

Warren Buffet wouldn't buy his daughter a $2.2M house.

Warren Buffet wouldn't buy himself a $2.2 million house.

If he lived in SFBA he probably would. But he wouldn't live in SFBA.

Chicago_Guy says

(approximately $2.2 Million)

This is America! one must pay $2.8 or forever be known as a loser.

anonymous says

without all the potential liability and permitting issues. T

But this is the house I muuust have!

rdm says

Some jurisdictions now require a pre-sale city inspection. Anything unpermitted and or not up to code has to be brought up to code and permits paid or agreed by the buyer to be brought up to code by the buyer, before the sale can go through.

A couple other things to note - if you're going through a lender, they WILL require an inspection for assessment and insurance purposes - at that point the un-permitted work will be discovered and pointed out. Second, even if it's a cash deal, if there is a fire in the un-permitted area, the insurance company can (and will) refuse to pay based on that. Finally, if and when the work is done and everything is 'up-to-snuff' and legal ... your assessment will go up, thus the property taxes will go up.

Home renovation spending expected to boom, while homebuilder pockets bust - Many remodeling experts fear the rising costs of labor and material

Homebuilders expect consumer confidence and demand to boost home renovation spending within the next two years, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

In fact, NAHB predicts that remodeling spending for owner-occupied single-family homes will rise by 1.6% in 2019, followed by another 1.1% in 2020.

But as more and more Americans look to remodel their homes, homebuilders around the country fear what that means for their wallets.

“Remodeler confidence continues to remain at a high level, as remodeling spending reached $172 billion in 2018," NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen said. "Although there is steady consumer demand in all areas of the country, the biggest challenges continue to be the costs of labor and materials to meet the interest."

The industry, like many in the country, grapples with affordability concerns, following taxing regulations that have hindered growth.

Notably, a new report from Houzz explains that although the remodeling industry is likely to have another successful year, many experts are proceeding with caution.

Homebuilders expect consumer confidence and demand to boost home renovation spending within the next two years, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

In fact, NAHB predicts that remodeling spending for owner-occupied single-family homes will rise by 1.6% in 2019, followed by another 1.1% in 2020.

But as more and more Americans look to remodel their homes, homebuilders around the country fear what that means for their wallets.

Remodeler confidence continues to remain at a high level, as remodeling spending reached $172 billion in 2018," NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen said. "Although there is steady consumer demand in all areas of the country, the biggest challenges continue to be the costs of labor and materials to meet the interest."

The industry, like many in the country, grapples with affordability concerns, following taxing regulations that have hindered growth.

Notably, a new report from Houzz explains that although the remodeling industry is likely to have another successful year, many experts are proceeding with caution.

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/48237-nahb-home-renovation-spending-expected-to-boom-while-homebuilder-pockets-bust

I'd be more concerned that they probably used OSB than anything else.

Not in Chicago, especially if you're of the wrong Political persuasion.