No, not really, but read on!
It is not a huge issue in terms of losing buyers. Of course we do recommend getting permits where required, but home owners frequently skip the permit. Then, when they go to sell the house and must provide a disclosure statement to potential buyers, they must check the box that says “No, we did not obtain permits.”
Super common.
So naturally, the question comes up: Do buyers walk away from a house because of unpermitted work?
They do, but not as often as you'd think.
The Buyer Experience
Speaking from experience on the buyer’s side of the transaction, most buyers—especially those who have just fallen in love with the place and the idea of living there—do not make unpermitted work their hill to die on. Sure, some buyers are more risk-averse or detail-oriented, and if something raises a red flag for them, they may second-guess their decision. That happens.
But more often than not, it doesn’t.
In most cases, the bigger conversation is not “Were permits pulled?” It’s “How does the house look, feel, and function?” Is it clean, solid, well maintained? Is the layout sensible? Does the work look professional?
That’s where the inspector comes in.
photos courtesy of John Englehardt - Home Inspector
What Really Matters? The Inspector’s Take
Inspections are the real deal-breakers. If an inspector flags something major—electrical done incorrectly, structural issues, plumbing that doesn’t meet code—that’s when buyers start to worry. And it’s not necessarily because the work was unpermitted… it’s because it was done poorly or poses a safety issue. Also, this is a point in the transaction where buyers are taking stock of their decision to make this offer and are more inclined to walk away.
In other words, unpermitted work in and of itself doesn’t always spook buyers—shoddy work does
What Sellers Should Know
If you’re a homeowner considering selling, and you did a remodel without a permit, don’t panic. You have options. You can retroactively obtain permits. Or you can and should simply be honest. Disclose, disclose, disclose! And if you’re worried about how it might land, consider getting a pre-inspection to show buyers that everything is sound.
Final Thought
Tacoma isn’t unique in this regard, but it’s certainly a place where unpermitted work is part of the local real estate fabric.
In the end, the condition of the home—how it presents, how it lives, and what the inspector says—matters far more than a missing permit.
