Real estate

Open permits can hold up a closing.

Issue

The house has a finished basement and a new deck. Does it matter if they were permitted?

Rule

Work done without permits, or permits never closed out, can show up in a title or municipal search and delay a sale or refinance.

Translation

The paperwork has to match the house.

Check that the certificate of occupancy matches what is actually built. Extra bathrooms, converted garages, and additions are common mismatches.

In the Five Towns, the right building department depends on whether the property sits in an incorporated village or in the unincorporated Town of Hempstead, so confirm the jurisdiction first.

Legalizing old work can take time and may require plans and inspections. If you're selling, start before you list. If you're buying, negotiate who handles it before you sign.