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Contact Us | For those looking to buy, beware of existing property issues that could become your problem. |
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Existing property issues become the new owner's problem. Those that are looking to take advantage of the many homes on the market, need to research the permits on the property before they buy.
“Any issues with the
properties from illegal additions to code violations become the responsibility
of the new owner”, said Mike Robinson, President of Permit Place, a land use, entitlement and permit consulting firm.
“Many people think that just
because the price is low that it’s a good deal, but many properties including foreclosures and distressed properties can have
illegal additions, sub-standard work or code violations that the new owner can
be made responsible for correcting the problem”, states Robinson.
Homeowners should ask the
seller or the seller’s realtor to research the property and find out if there
are building permits and certificates of occupancy issued on any new
additions.
The seller should provide
the buyer with copies of permits confirming that the square footage on the
property matches all existing permits on the property.
For example, if the property
built in 1999 has two bedrooms and a bath and the seller added a new bedroom
and bathroom, the buyer should check to see that the original permits and
certificate of occupancy show the original square footage and that the permits
show the new, correct additional square footage.
For those located in Los Angeles not comfortable
with completing the research on their own,
The service to starting in the City and County of Los Angeles costs
$40.00 plus the costs of copies, gives those selling properties a chance to find
out what permits, certificates of occupancy have been issued on the property or
will verify which additions on the property have been permitted.
Permit Place has been providing
property research for commercial and residential property since 2001. For more information, please contact Joey
Tran at 818-786-8960 or email
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or go to http://www.permitplace.com |