r/RealEstate • u/[deleted] • 1d ago

Prior Owner Potentially Finished Basement + Added 1/2 Bath W/Out Permits. How to Prep/Deal With This Before I'm Ready to Sell?

[deleted]

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u/sweetrobna 1d ago

Either do nothing and deal with it when it comes up. Or get retro permits now and do any changes they require to conform to current 2025 code. Like in some areas you need to use thicker 5/8 drywall in living areas for fire safety, you might need to open the wall to show the plumbing is code compliant, show the drain has a trap and won't vent sewer gas into the basement

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/sweetrobna 1d ago

It might be fine if you ignore it. Or it could derail your sale, your future plans to move and purchase another home

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u/Equivalent-Tiger-316 1d ago

You can sell it whether it’s permitted or not. 

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u/Tall_poppee 1d ago

Many areas will work with you to get it retro permitted, especially if they realize it was a prior owner. I'd find out what is involved in that. Even if you have to make a few holes in the drywall, that is easy to repair and will help you avoid turning off buyers.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/Equivalent-Tiger-316 1d ago

I’d worry a lot less about this if you’re not selling for another 10 years. 

You might even want to remodel it by then!

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u/Tall_poppee 22h ago

potentially tell me to redo the whole area

Seems unlikely, if it's been there for 20 years, and everything works correctly. If something is so bad it requires tearing out, it's probably a health or safety risk and you should want to do that anyway.