How to find out if seller got permit for finishing the basement with bathroom?
Copies of any permits that were issued for construction on that property should be included with the seller’s package they submit through their real estate agent. Contact your real estate agent and ask to see them. That’s one of the things you’re paying them for. They should be able to produce the final sign-off sheet for the project. If not, demand that the seller disclose them or disclose the fact that the work was not permitted. You have that right as a buyer. If the work was not permitted, you now have some leverage on the sales price. Non-permitted work should not be included in the appraised value. An appraiser should consider that the property is exactly as listed with the county for tax purposes. Any unpermitted modifications then should be considered as though they do not exist. If you do take the risk and buy it at a lower cost because of the non-permitted addition, you may run into trouble later, when you go to resell it. I had a heck of a time getting a property appraised w
