Skip to main content

When Do I Need a Building Permit for Home Improvements?

What are the first things that come to mind when you decide to make some home improvements?  Painting? Flooring? New fixtures? Possibly a new deck, or enclosing a patio?  You may think of these things in the hopes that your property value will increase more than the cost of these improvements. And you should!  But there is another, extremely important consideration you need to make – whether or not you will need a building permit for your project.

It is essential for homeowners to know which projects require approval and the potential consequences for making changes without it. So before you start tinkering with electrical wiring or knocking down walls, make sure you understand the ins and outs of building permits and when they are required.

What is a building permit?
A building permit is a legal document issued from the local government that allows you to proceed with construction on a project. Building permits ensure that your home improvement or remodeling project meets important requirements that minimize potential health and safety risks, such as structural collapse, fire hazard, and electrical shock. Though obtaining a building permit may feel like a nuisance, it’s important to remember that the process is put in place to keep you and your family safe and to protect your investment

Home improvements that require a building permit
Although requirements vary from city to city, the general rule of thumb is that structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work will require a residential permit. Here is a breakdown of the most common home improvement projects that require a building permit:

  • Fencing installation or repair: When you install or repair a fence, it’s important to check with your city to see if there is a height restriction. Be sure to have a fencing contractor inquire about such restrictions to avoid having to cut the fence or take it down after installation.
  • Window installations: When you install new windows that are bigger than your old windows, a permit is required to cut holes for them. This will also include cutting holes for skylights and new doors with windows. Be sure to reach out to a professional window installer who can acquire those permits.
  • Plumbing and electrical work: When installing or replacing plumbing, you will likely need to submit a permit application. The same rule applies when installing or replacing electrical wiring, whether it’s an outlet, switch, ceiling fan, or overhead lighting. The cases where you won’t need a permit or inspection include smaller projects like repairs and light fixture installations.
  • Structural changes: When you make any kind of structural changes to your property, the contractor will need to obtain a permit. This may include changes to the load-bearing walls, balconies, decks, porches, roofs, or foundation flooring.
  • Heating maintenance: If you replace the water heater, the heating contractor you’ve hired to do the work will need to get a permit. Changes to the ventilation system, gas and wood fireplaces, and ducts will also require a permit. This does not include filter changes, motor lubrication, or equipment cleaning.
  • Additions and remodels: Additions, new construction, remodels, repairs, replacements, and upgrades totaling $5,000 or more will require a permit. This will include detached structures like garages, sheds, and platforms. Exceptions to this rule include construction that’s less than 200 square feet, as well as painting, carpeting, and wallpaper.

Home improvement projects that don’t require a permit
There will be some home improvement projects that won’t require a permit, like small plumbing and electrical projects. Other projects you can do without a permit include:

  •  Painting and wallpapering
  • Installing flooring like hardwood, carpeting, linoleum, or vinyl tile
  • Minor electrical repairs
  • Installing new countertops
  • Installing or replacing a faucet
  • Landscaping work

As mentioned, rules vary from region to region, so just because someone you know didn’t need a permit, doesn’t mean you won’t. If you’re unsure, contact your local building office and ask. It’s better to check beforehand, as the call could save you a lot of time, money, and stress.

Who gets the building permit?
If you hire a contractor to complete the project, they will most often obtain the permit. This is because, generally, the person or company who pulls the permit is also the person that is responsible for making sure the project is up to code. If you pull the permit yourself, you will be considered the contractor (in the eyes of your local government) and therefore, are liable if there is a construction problem.

What happens if you don’t get a building permit?
Unfortunately, homeowners often decide not to get a building permit as a way to save time and money. However, performing work on your home without the necessary approvals can put you in direct violation of city codes and regulations. Some possible consequences for not getting a permit include:

  • If code enforcement authorities become aware of your violation, there can be fines and penalties that far exceed the cost of the original permit. In addition, government officials may require homeowners or contractors to tear out work and do it over.
  • If you try to sell your house in the future, a home inspection will likely be conducted. The inspection may uncover any home improvement projects that were done without the proper permits. This can hold up a home sale and you may even have to undo the previous work and start again.
  • In the unfortunate event of a major plumbing problem, fire, or structural collapse, if it’s discovered that the problem is the result of work that was done without a building permit, your homeowners’ insurance may not cover the damage.

Building permits can sometimes seem like a hassle. However, in many cases, getting a permit could mean giving up less than an hour of your time and spending a few hundred dollars. With all of the potential consequences at stake, you’re better safe than sorry.  So if you need a building permit for your home improvement project, do yourself a favor and be sure to get one.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gulf Life Real Estate

What to Know about Home Inspections

Why are home inspections so important in real estate transactions and what do they mean for your home purchase or sale? Home inspections can greatly impact the success of buying or selling a home. Are you currently in the market to buy or sell a property soon? If so, then I think you will find the following useful.

While inspections are not required, they are highly recommended. I like to compare home inspections to skydiving.  A parachute is not required to jump out of a plane, but it is highly recommended!  In a hot market, buyers might decide to waive their right to an inspection in an attempt to make their offer more attractive when there are multiple offers on a property. But be careful: The cost to repair some issues that an inspection would reveal could when added to the purchase price be more than the buyer was willing to pay for the property in the first place.

Inspection results can potentially give a buyer some leverage to renegotiate the deal. If the inspector finds issues that are unsatisfactory, the buyer may have options to renegotiate price or terms, depending on the type of contract that was used. In Florida, if a Standard contract was used, the seller may be required to make repairs up to a certain limit. If an As-Is contract was used, then the buyer may cancel the contract anytime prior to the expiration of the inspection period and the seller is obligated to refund the buyer’s deposit. If the seller does not want to lose the deal, they may be receptive to a lower price or other concessions.

Buyers typically pay for an inspection up front. Home inspection costs depending on location and inspector.  They typically cost between $250 and $500 or more depending on the size of the property.. Most home inspectors that I know want to be paid at the time of the inspection rather than waiting to be paid at closing since there is no guarantee that a property will close. Especially if the inspection reveals multiple issues.

Should Sellers get a pre-listing inspection?  Personally, I think this is a good idea.  Getting an inspection before putting your home on the market gives the seller the opportunity to fix issues that can be a road block when the property goes under contract later.  Most buyers will still get their own inspection, but when they do, the chance of finding any defects that can be used to renegotiate the deal is slim.  Sellers should also keep in mind that in Florida, they are required by law to disclose issues their inspector finds if they haven’t been fixed.

If you’re preparing to buy or sell a home, get in touch with us to start working with an experienced Gulf Life Real Estate professional.

How to Sell Your Home Quickly

When it comes to selling your house, the old saying goes “time is of the essence.” In order to get top dollar for your home, you need to follow some key tips to make sure it sells as quickly as possible. While there’s no magic formula for a quick sale, these tips will help you get your house off the market sooner rather than later.

Get your home very clean and depersonalize it

One of the best things you can do for your home is to give it a deep cleaning and make it feel as neutral as possible. This means decluttering all surfaces, getting rid of personal items like family photos, and making sure everything is sparkling clean. These simple steps will help potential buyers see your home as a blank slate that they can easily envision themselves living in.

Think like today’s buyers

Most home sellers are aware that they need to stage their homes in order to make them more appealing to buyers. However, what many sellers don’t realize is that they also need to think like today’s buyers. Homebuyers in the market for a new house tend to favor houses that are ready to move into. They don’t want to have to deal with cleaning up someone else’s mess or getting rid of clutter. Buyers are also looking for homes that don’t require any major updates or repairs. If your home is in need of a new roof or updated appliances, you may want to consider making these repairs before putting your home on the market.

Understand your competition

In order to sell your home faster, you need to understand your competition. This means taking a look at the other homes in your area that are similar to yours and seeing what they have to offer. Take note of things like price, condition, size, and amenities. This will give you a good idea of what buyers are looking for and where you need to improve in order to stand out.

Remember, you’re not just competing against other houses on the market, but also against the idea of buying a home altogether. Many people choose to rent instead of buy, so you need to make sure that your home is worth the investment. Offerings things like low down payments, flexible terms, and even rent-to-own options can help attract buyers who might otherwise be on the fence.

Price your house right

Now it’s time to tackle another big task: pricing your house right. This can be tricky, as you need to be both objective about your home’s value and strategic in order to make a quick sale.

Take a look at recent sales of similar homes in your neighbourhood. This is a useful estimate that will help you determine what comparable properties are now selling for. Next, consider any upgrades or special features that your home has. They can prove beneficial and let you justify a higher value. However, be careful not to overprice your home based on these factors – remember that buyers will also be looking at comparable homes in the area.

It’s also important to be realistic about your home’s condition.

Hire a Realtor.

Hiring a realtor may be one of the best decisions you make when selling your home. A realtor can help you price your home appropriately, market your home to the right buyers, and negotiate on your behalf.

You need to start by interviewing several different realtors. Ask them how they would market your home and what their strategy is for finding buyers. Also ask about their experience selling homes in your area. You want to make sure you hire someone who knows the local market well.

Next, pay attention to how responsive the realtors are to your questions and concerns. You want someone who will be easy to communicate with and who will keep you updated throughout the process.

Have professional photos of the house

One important tip is to make sure you have professional photos of the house. This will help potential buyers get a better sense of the property and what it has to offer. Professional photos can also help make your listing stand out from the rest. Once you have the photos, be sure to showcase them prominently on your listing page. This will give buyers a clear idea of what they can expect if they choose to purchase your home.

Have a lender provide flyers with loan options and monthly payments

To help sell your house fast, try to see if your lender can provide flyers with loan options and monthly payments. This will give potential buyers an idea of what they can afford and help them compare different loan options. Having this information readily available can speed up the buying process and help you sell your house more quickly. People want to know that when they are ready to put an offer on your home, there are ways of securing the home.

Making the deal as attractive as possible

When you’re trying to sell your house, you want to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers. One way to do that is by offering concessions such as a transferrable home warranty or paying some of the buyer’s closing costs. This can help sweeten the deal and make your house more appealing than other listings on the market.

If you have a home warranty that’s about to expire, consider transferring it to the buyer. This will give them peace of mind knowing that they’re covered in case something goes wrong with the home after they move in. Similarly, paying some of the buyer’s closing costs can also help swing things in your favour.

Open Houses increase exposure

When it comes to selling your home, every little bit of exposure helps. One way to ensure that your home gets plenty of attention is to hold as many open houses as possible. The more people who see your home, the more likely you are to find a buyer. You’ll need to make sure your home is clean and presentable at all times and you may need to deal with strangers coming in and out of your home on a regular basis. But if you can handle the extra work, holding an open house is a great way to sell your home fast.

It all begins with you!

If you follow these nine tips, you will be in a better position to sell your home quickly. These tips include pricing your home correctly from the start, decluttering and depersonalizing your space, and making any necessary changes. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best possible price.

Is Your Home Ready To Show? Here’s Some Quick Tips To Get It There!

While it might be your goal to keep your home show-ready at all times, that isn’t always possible. It is completely normal to have a home that feels lived in – especially if you are living in it! This isn’t a major issue, but something to be aware of if you are getting ready to list your home.

If your house is already for sale, you may have already experienced the stress of last minute showings. Of course you want your home to appeal to a potential buyer, but you also want to be able to maintain some normalcy while you are still living at home. Here are some tips to help you show your home in a way that potential buyers will love and you can actually manage!

Create Routine

Create an easy maintenance cleaning schedule for each member of your household. Rather than having to worry about cleaning the entire house all at once, this allows you to maintain order and cleanliness – making show-ready living easy to achieve!

Decide On The Necessities

Once you decide to put your home up for sale, you should do a walk-through of your entire house. Decide what items you’ll need and use while your home is on the market, and start to make a packing plan for the rest. If you have the room, store items in-house, or consider renting a storage unit. Either way, you will have much less to worry about packing when it is time to move!

Quick Fix Containers

Thankfully, decorative baskets and bins of all sorts are all the rage right now. If you don’t already use containers to organize and store toys, clothes, shoes, or other items – now is the best time to start! You will then be able to toss those items quickly into their storage space before a showing.

How Do You Know When It Is Time to Sell

The housing market has stayed competitive for months, and if you’re like many property owners, you’ve probably thought about selling. But is this the right time?

Selling your home is a big decision, and pinpointing the perfect time to make your move can be challenging. Here are a few questions to consider if you want to explore what it would look like to put your home on the market soon.

Has your lifestyle changed? Most homeowners outgrow a property at some point, or they find their needs have changed in some way. A property might be too small, you may want to downsize, or you might want different amenities.

Has your property increased in value? Homeowners have gained record-setting equity over the last few years. Determining your property value can give you an idea of your potential profits. Then, you can consider if you could put these funds to better use elsewhere.

Do you have another property or a plan for where you’ll go next? Be sure to keep the logistics and busy market conditions in mind if you’re buying and selling at the same time.

Have you discussed the details with everyone involved? Selling your house isn’t something you should do on the spur of the moment. This sale will mean big changes, both financially and in your day-to-day life, so be sure everyone in your household is on the same page.

Have you established your goals (and communicated them clearly)? When you’re ready, let’s discuss your needs and wants and create a plan that makes sense for you. Once clear goals are established, we can work together to find what you’re looking for.

Still not sure if it’s the right time to sell? Get in touch to discuss your options today.

Less Can be More

If you’re facing a move or just tired of managing your family’s enormous amount of stuff, you can create a plan to help your family move on from under the clutter.

The average weight of items you have in each of the rooms in your home is 1,000 pounds. So, for a four-bedroom home with a kitchen, dining room, family room, living room and extra storage areas, all your belongings could top 8,000 pounds. That’s four tons, or for comparison, around the average weight of an elephant.

The cost of moving that mountain of goods is high, so the more you can downsize, the less it will cost you to move when it comes time to relocate.

Buying stuff is easy, but storing, managing, and clearing it out is the hard part. Having to deal with overflowing drawers, stuffed closets, jammed cabinets, cluttered spaces, and packed garages/basements/attics can lead to anxiety for many. Before you lose your cool, consider some proven methods to make your home more peaceful and less cluttered.

Corral Everything

  • Counters, tables, the floor, and other flat surfaces are not storage areas.
  • If there’s no room for a new item to have a permanent home, reconsider what you’re storing in drawers, closets, cabinets, and other storage areas to make room for it.
  • Don’t just box up old or unused stuff and take it to be stored off-site at a storage rental facility. Once items are boxed up and out of sight, you’re unlikely to use, review or deal with them, resulting in costly monthly storage rental fees.

Curb Purchasing

  • One great rule to institute is for every item brought in (whether it’s a gift or purchase), another item must leave the premises either by selling it, donation to a charity, gifting to another person, or being thrown away.
  • Determine where a new item will live in your house before you purchase it. Every item you don’t buy saves you not only money, but the mental stress of dealing with it. Eliminating purchases also avoids debt if you carry credit card balances.
  • Before you purchase something, investigate whether you can borrow it first. For books, music, and videos, check out your library.

What to Do if You Can’t Find a Home

Finding a home in a hot market can be challenging. Supply is limited, and bidding wars are common with demand so high.  You may find yourself up against dozens of buyers, making it hard to snag the home — and at a price you can afford. It’s important not to lose hope, though. Despite the competitive market, there are ways to find (and buy) your dream home.

Are you having trouble with your home search? These tips might help:

Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Having pre-approval is critical in a highly active housing market. It could give you a leg up over other buyers, and it can help you gauge your budget more accurately.

Expand your search area. Branching out a little often helps open more inventory — and it may reduce your competition. If your lifestyle allows for it, you might even want to try looking in more rural areas.

Change your ideal property type. Rather than only focusing on single-family homes, what about searching for townhouses, condos, and duplexes too? If you choose the latter, you might be able to rent out the other half to help cover your mortgage.

Shop under your budget. Looking for properties well under your maximum budget allows you to bid comfortably above list price and beat out other buyers — without risking your financial standing.

Look into building or renovating. Maybe you’d like a new construction home instead of buying an existing house. Or you can look to fixer-uppers and plan to renovate the home before moving. Just make sure you talk to your lender about loan options, as your choice may change what type of mortgage you need.

Do you need help on your home search? Get in touch today.