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Why Looking Up Permits Is Essential When Buying a Property

When purchasing a property, due diligence is key to ensuring a sound investment and avoiding potential headaches down the road. While many buyers focus on inspections, appraisals, and financial details, looking up permits often gets overlooked. However, permit records provide critical insights into a property’s history and compliance with local building codes. Here’s why this step should be a non-negotiable part of your property-buying process.

Uncover the Property’s Renovation History

Permits reveal a lot about what’s been done to a property over the years. They show whether additions, remodels, or repairs were officially documented and approved by the municipality. If a property’s upgrades lack permits, it could indicate work done without proper oversight, which may lead to structural issues or safety concerns.

For instance, a finished basement or an extended deck might look great, but if it was built without a permit, it might not meet building codes. This could result in costly fixes or even legal challenges if the municipality requires compliance.

Avoid Hidden Costs and Liabilities

Unpermitted work can leave buyers vulnerable to unexpected costs. If local authorities discover unapproved renovations after your purchase, you could be required to bring the property up to code—a potentially expensive process. Worse, your homeowner’s insurance might not cover damages related to unpermitted work, leaving you financially exposed.

Additionally, when it comes time to sell, unpermitted work can reduce your property’s value or scare off potential buyers. By ensuring the property’s permits are in order before you buy, you can avoid these costly pitfalls.

Confirm Zoning and Usage Compliance

Permit records also help verify that a property’s current use aligns with its zoning designation. For example, if the property includes an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or home-based business space, permits will confirm whether these uses are authorized. Without proper permits, you may face legal restrictions on how you can use the property.

How Homicity Simplifies Permit Research

Traditionally, looking up permits involved contacting municipal offices, navigating complex processes, and sometimes waiting weeks for responses. Homicity’s platform streamlines this process, making it easier than ever to include permit research in your due diligence.

With Homicity, you can:

  • Access Permit Records Instantly: Search for property permits directly through the platform’s intuitive interface. Quickly determine if past renovations or upgrades were properly documented.

  • Analyze Compliance Risks: Identify any potential red flags related to unpermitted work, helping you make informed decisions before committing to a purchase.

  • Combine Insights with Other Data: Homicity integrates permit records with other essential datasets, such as zoning and local risk factors, giving you a comprehensive view of the property and its surrounding area.

Make Permit Research a Priority

When buying a property, knowledge is power. Looking up permits not only protects you from potential liabilities but also ensures you’re making a well-informed investment. By leveraging tools like Homicity, you can simplify this critical step and gain the insights you need to proceed with confidence.

Don’t let unpermitted work catch you off guard—make permit research a cornerstone of your due diligence process.


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