“Can You Sell a House With Unpermitted Work?”
Bought a home with a “bonus room” that’s not actually legal? Built a deck, finished a basement, or remodeled a bathroom without permits?
You’re not alone. In Spokane, unpermitted work is more common than people realize — and it can create serious headaches when it’s time to sell.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we buy homes as-is — even if parts of the property aren’t up to code. No permits? No problem.
What Is Unpermitted Work?
Unpermitted work is any renovation, addition, or structural change made to a house without obtaining proper building permits from the City or County of Spokane.
This includes:
- Electrical upgrades
- Plumbing changes
- Basement finishes
- Room additions or garages
- Decks or porches
- Roof replacements
Even if the work was done safely, if it wasn’t inspected or approved, it could become a red flag to appraisers, lenders, and buyers.
Why It’s a Problem When Selling
When you try to sell a home with unpermitted work, here’s what could happen:
- Appraisers may exclude the square footage from valuation
- Lenders may deny financing for buyers
- Buyers may back out due to safety or legal concerns
- The City of Spokane may require you to remove or fix the work
Not only does this delay your sale — it can cost thousands to make things right.
Spokane Story: A Basement in Hillyard
We helped a seller in Hillyard who had a finished basement with two bedrooms and a bathroom — but no permits on file.
They were panicking because their listing agent said they’d have to tear everything out.
Instead, they called us. We made a cash offer, skipped the permit drama, and closed in two weeks.
Can You Sell a House With Unpermitted Work?
Yes — if you sell to a cash buyer like us.
We’re not lenders, agents, or appraisers. We don’t care about red tape — we buy houses for what they are, not what the city thinks they should be.
When you sell to REI Branded Home Buyer:
✅ No repairs or permits required
✅ No inspections or appraisals
✅ No closing costs or commissions
✅ We handle all the paperwork and risk
What Are Your Options?
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Retroactively permit the work | May increase value | Time-consuming & expensive |
| Tear it out | Clears the permit record | Huge cost, destroys livable space |
| Sell as-is to us | Fast, easy, no hassle | Might sell for slightly less — but you save big in repairs & stress |
How the Process Works
- Contact us with your property info
- We walk the house (no judgments!)
- You get a fair, no-obligation offer
- We close on your schedule — even in 7 days
We’ve Bought Houses With:
- DIY electrical jobs
- Basement bedrooms with no egress
- Converted garages
- Illegal additions
- Unapproved plumbing layouts
We’ve seen it all in South Hill, Logan, and North Spokane. We don’t flinch — we solve.
You’re Not in Trouble — You Just Need a Solution
Don’t let a missing permit ruin your plans. Let us take the house as-is and give you a fresh start.
📞 Call now: 509-769-3439
📧 Email: info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
💬 Contact us here
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or construction advice. Please consult with local authorities or a contractor if you’re considering permitting work post-sale.
Sell Your Spokane House Fast Today
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.