“How REI Branded Home Buyer Can Help”
Did you find out your home has unpermitted work? Maybe the previous owner added a bathroom without telling the city. Or maybe you finished the basement yourself without pulling permits.
Whatever the case, trying to sell a house with unpermitted renovations in Washington can be frustrating. But don’t worry — you’re not stuck.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we’ve helped dozens of Washington sellers move on from properties with permit issues, red flags, and outdated work. You’ve got options — let’s walk through them.
🧱 What Counts as Unpermitted Work?
Any modification or construction that required a building permit — but didn’t get one — counts as unpermitted work. This can include:
- Garage conversions
- Room additions
- Basement finishing
- Decks, sheds, or outbuildings
- Plumbing or electrical changes
- Roofing or structural changes
- Window or door replacements
In Washington, local building codes vary by city or county, but most require permits for anything beyond cosmetic repairs.
⚠️ Why Unpermitted Work Is a Problem When Selling
If you’re trying to sell your home the traditional way (with an agent), unpermitted work is a red flag to:
- Buyers — they may worry about safety or quality
- Inspectors — who can flag the issue in a report
- Lenders — who may refuse to approve the loan
- Appraisers — who might not count the unpermitted square footage in the valuation
This can lead to price reductions, longer time on market, or deals falling apart at closing.
🔎 Can You Sell a House With Unpermitted Work in Washington?
Yes — and there are a few ways to go about it.
Option 1: Disclose It and Sell As-Is
Washington requires sellers to disclose known issues on Form 17. You’re legally obligated to tell buyers about unpermitted work if you know about it.
You might get fewer offers, or buyers may ask for price reductions, but this approach is legal and transparent.
Option 2: Fix It or Get the Work Permitted
You can try to “legalize” the work retroactively by applying for permits and getting the work inspected. This may involve:
- Hiring a contractor or architect
- Opening walls or floors
- Paying fines or redoing work
This can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful — especially if the work was done decades ago.
Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer Who Buys “As-Is”
That’s where we come in. At REI Branded Home Buyer, we buy homes with unpermitted work every month — no agent, no inspections, no hassle. We don’t care if the city signed off — we care if the structure is sound and the deal makes sense.
🏡 Real Story From Spokane
We once helped a seller in Spokane whose parents had finished the basement 25 years ago without permits. The new buyer’s lender wouldn’t count it in the square footage, dropping the appraised value by $40,000 — killing the deal.
We stepped in, offered a fair cash price based on the real condition, and closed in 10 days — no inspections, no permits, no problem.
🛠 Fast Facts About Unpermitted Work in WA
- You’re required to disclose known unpermitted work under Washington law.
- You can’t claim extra square footage in your listing if it wasn’t permitted.
- Cities like Spokane, Seattle, and Tacoma have searchable permit records online.
- In some cases, buyers can take on the risk — but only if they’re not using traditional financing.
✅ How We Help Sellers Like You
REI Branded Home Buyer is a trusted, local buyer that specializes in hard-to-sell homes. Here’s what we offer:
- No repairs or permits required
- Fair cash offer based on your home’s real value
- No agent commissions or closing costs
- Fast closings — sometimes in just 7–10 days
Whether your home is in Yakima, Olympia, Everett, Spokane, or anywhere in Washington, we’ll take a look and give you options.
📞 Want to Sell a House With Unpermitted Work?
Let us handle the red tape. You don’t need to pay contractors, pull permits, or get tangled up in city bureaucracy.
Call us at 509-769-3439, email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com, or contact us here to get a fast, fair cash offer.
We’ll help you move on — no headaches, no surprises.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always check with your local building department or a qualified professional if you’re unsure about permitting requirements.
Sell Your Washington 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.