Here are some tips for sellers or listing agents to help their sellers “legalize” existing, non-conforming, or non-permitted worki in their homes for sale. We have experience helping sellers with these issues.
Following is a list of potential items:
a. finished basement without proper means of egress, light, & ventilation.
b. renovated kitchens & dinette areas.
c. new laundry room & slop sink.
d. new addition to the house.
e. adding or enlarging a powder room or full bathroom.
f. removing an old deck & installing a new one.
g. new patios & walkways, extended circular driveways & parking areas.
h. new tool sheds or garages in rear yard.
i. upgrade unfinished attic spaces into bedrooms or habitable space.
j. enclosed screen porches w/heat.
k. upgrading or adding mechanical systems ie: boiler, A/C.
l. installing skylights.
m. installing fireplaces.
n. new entry doors or replacement windows.
o. new pool & fenced yard.
Ask your client from the beginning, when listing their property, if any of these types of projects were completed recently. Also, during your Town Hall review of property records, please look for permits that were taken out & their corresponding Certificates of Occupancy. If they are not there, then the work may have been performed illegally & will need to be legalized. Your sale & closing will not happen if these projects are not drawn, filed, inspected & approved by the Building Dept. Such work would require the services of a NY State Licensed Architect. Please note that every house sold, will need some kind of work similar to the ones noted above, by the new homeowner, to make it their own
Please consider recommending Ljubisa Jovasevic for this type of work, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Grand Lux Realty.
Ljubisa M. Jovasevic R.A. GLR Salesperson
LMJ Architecture & Planning PLLC
6 Laurel Hill Pl., Armonk, NY 10504
914-498-9381
www.LMJArchitecture.com