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In my experience, Realtors don't usually know the answers to questions I'd need answered before buying a house. Like:
Can we put an IG pool in?
How much will IG pool raise our taxes?
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Can we build a garage / second garage?
Since Realtors don't know, who can we ask? Call the town? Will the town take the time to speak with us when we're not owners yet? Do people just blindly buy houses without knowing this stuff for sure? (We get a lot of "I'm 90% sure you'll be able to....)
And many of those questions will depend on square footage, setback and other code requirements. So unless you have the actual plans, or if something was already approved, I doubt any realtor will know anything for sure.
This is a complex area of law. You left out the limits set by an HOA.
When I have looked at prospective houses I have often asked about that and the realtor implies they can get a copy of the HOA rules. None have ever showed up before closing. Sometimes I've found them online.
In PA and NC I have done a lot of work on the interior on my own with no permits. NJ is probably more restrictive.
In my experience, Realtors don't usually know the answers to questions I'd need answered before buying a house. Like:
Can we put an IG pool in?
How much will IG pool raise our taxes?
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Can we build a garage / second garage?
Since Realtors don't know, who can we ask? Call the town? Will the town take the time to speak with us when we're not owners yet? Do people just blindly buy houses without knowing this stuff for sure? (We get a lot of "I'm 90% sure you'll be able to....)
You are not buying yet so why are you so worried? Nevertheless I will answer.
Can we put an IG pool in? Depends upon the codes for the area you build in
How much will IG pool raise our taxes? Depends upon the size of the pool
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Depends if the wall is weight bearing or not, Dormers generally with proper permits.
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Depends on where the property is located and the codes for the particular town.
Can we build a garage / second garage? Depends upon codes and property size.
You are not buying yet so why are you so worried? Nevertheless I will answer.
Can we put an IG pool in? Depends upon the codes for the area you build in
How much will IG pool raise our taxes? Depends upon the size of the pool
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Depends if the wall is weight bearing or not, Dormers generally with proper permits.
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Depends on where the property is located and the codes for the particular town.
Can we build a garage / second garage? Depends upon codes and property size.
This doesnt help OP in the slightest. He wants to know how can he get definite answers to his questions before purchasing a home since I would assume his purchase would be contingent on these things being OK'd to be done.
Have an architect on stand-by and double check their findings with your real estate attorney.
This doesnt help OP in the slightest. He wants to know how can he get definite answers to his questions before purchasing a home since I would assume his purchase would be contingent on these things being OK'd to be done.
Have an architect on stand-by and double check their findings with your real estate attorney.
Essentially, there is no way anyone including the municipality can answer her questions given the information which is all hypothetical and lacking in details. There are codes that need to be met and depending upon the variables costs will decline or rise.
The only option is to go to the individual municipality and ask for "rough" answers. However, since she doesn't own the property, she can't do that. The devil is in the details. For example, if you put an addition on and put vinyl sheet flooring your assessment will be less than if you put hardwood flooring down in Nassau County. Just way too much nf missing to give a valid answer to the questions.
I will also add that the OP has stated that she will wait the market out to get a "fairer deal" and may even look off Long Island. What prices get quoted today would be useless 2 years from now.
In my experience, Realtors don't usually know the answers to questions I'd need answered before buying a house. Like:
Can we put an IG pool in?
How much will IG pool raise our taxes?
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Can we build a garage / second garage?
Since Realtors don't know, who can we ask? Call the town? Will the town take the time to speak with us when we're not owners yet? Do people just blindly buy houses without knowing this stuff for sure? (We get a lot of "I'm 90% sure you'll be able to....)
Speak to a local Architect or permit expediter. Also if possible, get a copy of the survey and take it to the Building Department where you are buying the house. I find most of them are accomodating when someone is asking general questions - but you are not going to get specific answers to how much taxes will go up...
Also - if you can get to go to the town, Zoning codes are public information also, all available online. Find out the zone by calling the building department and you can either look them up or the person on the phone may be able to tell you the basic front, rear, side yard setback info
In my experience, Realtors don't usually know the answers to questions I'd need answered before buying a house. Like:
Can we put an IG pool in?
How much will IG pool raise our taxes?
Can we knock out a wall / build dormers, etc?
Can we plant or remove trees from property?
Can we build a garage / second garage?
Since Realtors don't know, who can we ask? Call the town? Will the town take the time to speak with us when we're not owners yet? Do people just blindly buy houses without knowing this stuff for sure? (We get a lot of "I'm 90% sure you'll be able to....)
The answers will vary based upon the Town you're looking to buy in, and, if the home is in an incorporated village, might vary based upon the village's requirements. You can get some of these answers from the town or village. Other answers will require more knowledge of the structure itself.
Some areas we've been in required permits for new windows. Others had limitations as to roofing color. Setbacks will vary. We've seen one client who cleared a few too many trees on his property and then was at the mercy of a capricious local board.
Good luck
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