Selling a House With Unpermitted Work in Washington

Washington basement with exposed wiring and unfinished walls showing signs of unpermitted renovations

“Your Trusted Home Buyer REI Branded Home Buyer”

Have a house in Washington with unpermitted work? You’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you can’t sell.

Whether it was a DIY project, a previous owner’s shortcut, or something that “never got final inspection,” unpermitted work is one of the biggest headaches in real estate. Traditional buyers and lenders panic when they see it.

At REI Branded Home Buyer, we don’t. We buy homes as-is, even with unapproved additions, electrical, or plumbing work — no permits needed.


What Counts as Unpermitted Work?

In Washington, the following usually require permits:

  • Electrical rewiring
  • Plumbing reconfiguration
  • Room additions or garage conversions
  • Roof changes or structural alterations
  • Water heater or HVAC replacement
  • Wall removal or load-bearing changes

If no final inspection was completed, or if the work was never approved, it’s considered unpermitted — even if it works fine.


Real Story From Everett

A homeowner in Everett added a sunroom in 2009 but never filed for a permit. When it came time to sell, the buyer backed out during escrow due to the unpermitted square footage.

We stepped in, made a cash offer within 24 hours, and closed in 10 days — no repairs, no inspections, no permit headaches.


Why WA Sellers Come to Us

  • We buy homes with unpermitted work
  • No need to fix, demo, or bring anything up to code
  • We pay cash and buy fast — avoiding lender issues
  • We buy in Spokane, Olympia, Pasco, and throughout Washington

What to Expect

  1. Reach out to us at info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com or submit your property
  2. We review the situation — no judgment
  3. You get a fair, fast cash offer
  4. We close quickly and handle any legal or title issues

Fast Facts: Unpermitted Work in Washington

  • Sellers must disclose unpermitted work using Form 17
  • Unpermitted areas may not be counted in the MLS square footage
  • Cities like Tacoma and Seattle can issue fines or stop-work orders
  • Many buyers and lenders won’t touch these homes
  • We buy them without requiring retrofitting or permits

Don’t Let Paperwork Stop You From Selling

If you’re stuck with unpermitted work and don’t want to risk fines, repairs, or failed inspections — let us take the problem off your hands.

Call 509-769-3439, email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com, or request your as-is cash offer.


Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check with your local building department or a real estate attorney regarding specific unpermitted work regulations.

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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.

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