Need Advice on Long Island Property Purchase (real estate, mortgage)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hey everyone, I've been looking at houses on Long Island recently, but there's very limited inventory in the current market, making it difficult to find a suitable one. There's this one house that meets all my criteria in terms of size, layout, and location. However, the owner added a deck in the backyard, which isn't very high, and converted the garage into a kitchen and bathroom. The house doesn't have a certificate of occupancy (CO) nor has it applied for permits; the owner is selling it 'as is.' If I were to purchase it and go through the process of legalizing everything, would it be a complicated procedure? Or should I demolish everything and start anew, or perhaps keep it as it is? I lack experience in buying a house, so I want to understand the situation from all angles.
When you say the house doesn’t have a co like no co where you can’t live in it?
Need to speak to your soon to be real estate lawyer and an expediter before purchasing. Don’t listen to your real estate agent.
Legalizing the stuff is a can of worms usually. Especially if it’s not up to code. If your buying this house it should be valued as garage not as a kitchen/bathroom because there’s a chance you need to convert back.
If you plan on staying long term and getting a decent price on the house I would buy it. You can always fix the house but not the location. Great location = Greater appreciation, easy to sell. There's always a cash buyer waiting.
1. I would not try to legalize the deck or kitchen\bath. Enjoy the house, save on the taxes
a. You can get rid out the deck and replace with pavers. I prefer pavers over a deck any day.
2. If you plan on doing any major renovation like an addition, then that would be the time to redo the kitchen and bath.
a. trying to legalize existing unpermitted work can be expensive and stressful. Code enforcement officer can find other
issue once they are inside your house.
I have purchased several homes in LI, and everyone of them had permit issues. No issue closing.
When you say the house doesn’t have a co like no co where you can’t live in it?
Need to speak to your soon to be real estate lawyer and an expediter before purchasing. Don’t listen to your real estate agent.
Legalizing the stuff is a can of worms usually. Especially if it’s not up to code. If your buying this house it should be valued as garage not as a kitchen/bathroom because there’s a chance you need to convert back.
And never get an attorney that your RE Agent refers.
I would say RUN AWAY. If it is being sold as is they are not willing to escrow anything for the problems you no doubt will have. Is there an accessory apt in the garage? or is that the only kitchen? That is more trouble.
What town is it in ? Can you live with it the way it is or do you want to rip out this kitchen and bathroom and use it for a garage ??
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
