Real estate transactions in Dallas can be complicated enough when everything goes smoothly. However, if you are trying to sell a house with unpermitted work, the challenge is even greater.
Whether you invested in interior remodeling projects without the proper permits or you started construction on a new deck without permission from the city, this work could complicate your ability to sell the house.
In this guide, we will discuss your options for rectifying unpermitted work and proceeding with a sale. In some cases, you can even avoid addressing the problem by selling the property in its current condition.
Table of Contents
- The Challenges of Unpermitted Work in a Dallas House Sale
- Option 1: Rectifying Unpermitted Work – Costs and Complexities
- Option 2: Selling Your House As Is When It Has Unpermitted Work
- The Benefits of Selling Your Dallas House As Is to a Cash Buyer
- Our Simple Process for Buying Your Dallas House As Is
- Get a Fair Offer for Your Dallas House with Unpermitted Work Today
The Challenges of Unpermitted Work in a Dallas House Sale
Multiple challenges will arise if you want to sell a Dallas house with unpermitted work. If the previous owners of these homes fail to disclose the work to potential buyers, they may face legal issues. You may also encounter issues with mortgage lender approvals, city code violations, and the risk of a lawsuit if the problem is not addressed properly.
You have two options to avoid the legal consequences of selling a house that has unpermitted work: Rectify the lack of permission or sell the property as it is to a willing buyer.
Option 1: Rectifying Unpermitted Work – Costs and Complexities
A more complex solution for this issue is rectifying the unpermitted work. The traditional approach for this process is to apply for retroactive permits on the project. However, you may have to deconstruct parts of the project for inspection or redo the work to meet current building codes in Dallas.
For example, many homeowners in Dallas may assume that cosmetic upgrades, such as converting a garage, do not require permits.
However, these cosmetic renovations may require a permit, so failing to obtain one could lead to a $500 daily fine or a stop-work order. Previous owners can also face significant legal trouble if they sell properties to buyers without disclosing known issues.
Even if you apply for retroactive permits, you may still incur additional costs to rectify any issues with the work. Additionally, this process will delay your selling timeline and introduce an element of uncertainty to the transaction.
Option 2: Selling Your House As Is When It Has Unpermitted Work
The alternative solution for unpermitted work on your house is to sell it as is to a willing buyer. You will have to disclose information about the unpermitted renovations to the buyer, which can often be a deal-breaker. If you do find a willing buyer, that party would accept responsibility for rectifying the unpermitted aspects of the house.
If you do not want to report unpermitted work to rectify the issue yourself, you could secure a deal with a cash buyer. Many cash buyers are investing firms that are willing to take on the responsibilities that other homeowners don’t want, including handling unpermitted projects.
The Benefits of Selling Your Dallas House As Is to a Cash Buyer
Selling a house with unpermitted work to a cash buyer offers several benefits. First, the buyer will assume the responsibility of rectifying the unpermitted projects, so you can avoid the stress of doing so yourself. Second, you can avoid the lengthy delays that come with this process, allowing you to sell the house in two weeks or less with the right buyer.
One of the main reasons people sell houses to cash buyers in Dallas is certainty. A traditional buyer could back out of a sale at the last minute, or their lender could reject a loan when unpermitted renovations are discovered.
A cash buyer knows exactly what they are getting with their purchase, so you can be certain the sale will go through since there is no lender involvement.
Our Simple Process for Buying Your Dallas House As Is
A-List Properties is a Texas-based cash home buyer that can help you overcome a complicated selling situation. We provide a straightforward and transparent process when making cash offers, so previous owners do not have to worry about the challenges of selling to traditional buyers.
Our team has experience buying houses with unpermitted renovations, and we can be the solution you need to get that property off your books. We are not afraid of a little hard work, even if that means applying for retroactive permits and redoing projects you have taken on in the house.
A-List Properties will buy a house with unpermitted work quickly so you can get your money in as little as seven days and move on from this complicated burden.
Selling a house to our firm is easy and takes three simple steps:
- Contact A-List Properties with details about your Dallas home
- Schedule a walkthrough of the property
- Receive a fair cash offer and choose a closing date that works for you
Get a Fair Offer for Your Dallas House with Unpermitted Work Today
Dallas homeowners who have invested in unpermitted renovation projects may struggle to sell their properties, particularly on the open market. Failing to rectify the work could lead to legal issues, lender rejections, concerns from buyers, and ultimately, failed transactions.
You can avoid all these concerns by selling directly to the cash buyers at A-List Properties. We buy houses in Dallas as is, even if we will have to rectify unpermitted projects afterward.
Whether you’ve completed a kitchen remodel that isn’t up to code or have a half-constructed deck that received a stop-work order from the city, we will buy your house and handle the issues ourselves. Call us today at 972-526-7042 or complete our online form to request a no-obligation cash offer. Our team believes in honesty and integrity, so we will recommend the best solution based on your needs, even if that means pursuing a traditional sale.
Zach Shelley
Zach Shelley is a seasoned real estate investor with a diverse network spanning across the nation. As the founder of his own real estate venture, Zach is committed to offering innovative solutions to homeowners facing various real estate challenges.. Through his dedication and strategic approach, Zach continues to make a significant impact in the real estate industry, providing homeowners with alternative pathways to navigate their property transactions.
