Sell a house with code violations or a condemnation notice.
A letter from code enforcement usually comes with a deadline and a list of repairs. If you don't want to take that on, we can buy the house with the violations still open and handle the city ourselves.
What code letters usually involve
Typical notices cover things like damaged roofs and siding, broken windows, unsafe electrical, overgrown lots, open or unsecured structures, and houses that have been vacant and boarded. A condemnation notice is more serious and can lead to demolition if nothing is done.
Each notice has its own deadlines, and fines or liens can follow if they're missed. Read the letter closely and call the number on it if anything is unclear.
How we buy with open violations
We look at the notice with you, walk the property, and include the cost of bringing the house up to code in our written offer. After closing, the violations are ours to resolve. As a general contractor, we pull the permits and do the work ourselves.
If there's a lien or fine already recorded against the property, the title company will find it, and it's usually paid out of the sale proceeds at closing.
How we figure the offer
Every offer comes with a written worksheet: what the house should sell for once it's fixed, minus the repair cost priced by a licensed builder, minus closing and holding costs, minus our margin. See an example worksheet.
Questions
Can I sell a house that's been condemned?
In most cases, yes. Timing matters, so call us as soon as you have the notice and we'll look at the deadlines with you.
Who pays the code fines?
Anything recorded against the property is normally paid from the sale at closing. We'll show you that on the offer worksheet so there are no surprises.
Do I have to fix anything first?
No. We buy the house as it is.