The building code is the law set by the local, state and federal governments around how buildings should be built. Building codes tend to be most specific at the local government level, where they may describe specific measurements for entrances, exits and other areas. Following the building code and making sure your contractors follow it is critical to home improvement success. How can you navigate the building code? What should you watch out for?
Basement Needs Fire Exit
Building codes vary from municipality to municipality. But in many places, if you have a basement that is used as a bedroom, building codes may require that you provide a fire exit, either a window or a door.
Refinance To Keep Home After Divorce
When couples divorce sometimes the woman agrees to keep the home rather than lay claim to the man's retirement benefits. But is this a fair trade? It's worth reconsidering trading a home for retirement benefits when the housing market is poor or if the home has home improvement work that wasn't built with building permits or up to code. If one spouse does decide to keep the home, it's important to refinance the property to remove the name of the parting spouse from the mortgage loan.
Canceling New Construction Real Estate Contract
Can I cancel a real estate contract? A reader that wants to walk away from a real estate deal because there are too many issues with the house, builder, and real estate agent. However, you usually can't just terminate a contract. The buyer must determine if the problems are enough to truly prevent occupancy.
Purchased Home Found Not Up To Code
A homeowner finds out five years after buying a home that certain parts of the home do not meet code. There are zoning and building codes just about everywhere in the country. Zoning codes regulate what can be built and where, as well as regulating how things should be built.
How To Resolve Missing Building Permits
When you buy a home that's had home improvements made without building permits, it's up to you to rectify that with your local government. In many cases, the local government will allow you to buy the building permits after the fact and consider the work in compliance with the building code. If you discover that the home you want to buy has had work done without building permits, you can stop the closing on the house.
New Construction Contract Omits Vacant Lot Definition
A home buyer buys new construction expecting the next door lot to remain vacant per a verbal agreement with the developer. Later on, the home buyer learns that a developer plans to build on the vacant lot next to the new construction. One option is for the home buyer to buy the vacant lot next to the new construction. The home buyer wants to know his options and they're limited since the promise about the vacant lot was not in writing.