Sell a House With Code Violations or Liens

Violations stay with the house, not with you personally

That cuts both ways. It is why an unpaid citation follows the house and shows up on title. It is also why it can be paid out of the sale proceeds at closing, instead of being something you have to pay for and fix first. Water and sewer balances work the same way in most of the markets we buy in.

Why sales with a bank loan fall through here

An open violation or an addition built without a permit is often enough for a lender to say no. It usually comes up late: after inspection, weeks into a contract, when you have already turned down other options. A cash purchase has no lender to satisfy, so the violation becomes one line at closing, not a reason the sale falls apart.

Open permits and work done without one

A permit pulled and never closed out, or a finished basement nobody permitted, is common. It is ours to sort out after closing. Tell us what you know about it. It changes the number, but it very rarely changes whether we buy.

What to have ready

• Any citations or notices you have received
• Unpaid water or sewer balances
• Whether any permits are still open
• What work was done without a permit

We are a cash buyer, not attorneys or accountants. Nothing here is legal or tax advice. For the legal side of a sale, talk with your attorney too.

Questions people ask about this

Do I have to fix the violations before selling?

No. We buy with them open and handle the fixes ourselves. Outstanding fines are paid from the proceeds at closing.

There is a lien from the city. Is that a problem?

No. City liens are paid off through the title company at closing, the same way a mortgage is. What matters is knowing about them early, so the payoff figure is right.

What if there is unpermitted work?

That is very common, and it does not rule the house out. It affects the offer, because it affects the work we do afterward. But a cash buyer has no appraiser to satisfy.

Keep reading

See other situations we help with, or find your local market. Every market page shows its own sale prices, ZIP breakdown and rent data.