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Do You Really Need a Permit to Sell a House in Washington?
Short answer: you don’t need a permit to sell your house, but you may need one for certain repairs or improvements before the sale. And if you (or a previous owner) did work without a permit, it could complicate the transaction.
Let’s break it down…
When Permits Are Required
In Washington State, building permits are typically required for:
- Structural changes
- Electrical or plumbing modifications
- Roof replacements
- Water heater installation
- HVAC system upgrades
Counties like King County, Snohomish County, and Spokane County have local codes with slight variations, but the rule of thumb is: if it’s not cosmetic, you likely need a permit.
Unpermitted Work Can Kill a Deal
When you go to sell, the buyer might ask about unpermitted work — and if it’s discovered during an inspection, they could:
- Walk away
- Request you retrofit or post-permit
- Lower their offer
If you’re filling out Form 17 (Seller Disclosure Statement), you must disclose known unpermitted work. Lying on the form opens you up to legal trouble even after closing.
Can You Sell Without Fixing It?
Yes. At REI Branded Home Buyer, we buy houses all over Washington — even ones with unpermitted work. We don’t ask for repairs, inspections, or appraisals.
We’re active buyers in:
If the idea of chasing down permits sounds exhausting, skip it. We’ll buy your home as-is, including any unpermitted additions, garages, or decks.
Need Help Understanding Local Rules?
Every county is different. Check with your local city or county department, such as:
- Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections
- Spokane Development Services
- Chelan County for areas like Wenatchee
- Pierce County Planning
- Tacoma Permit Portal
Or simply contact us and we’ll help you sort it out.
📩 Contact us or email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com for a no-pressure, fast cash offer.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or permitting advice. Always check your local codes or speak to a licensed contractor.
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About REI Branded Home Buyer
Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.