Hey friends, Harley here. 🐶🐾

You walk into a house and LOVE it.

Beautiful remodeled kitchen.

Huge new deck.

Converted garage.

Extra bedroom.

Maybe even a big shop out back.

Everything looks amazing.

But Stephen has another question:

“Were permits required, and were they actually obtained?”

Because something looking professionally finished doesn’t necessarily mean it was properly permitted.

And that’s something buyers should investigate before closing.

🔨 What Does “Permitted” Mean?

Depending on the location and type of project, certain improvements may require approval from the local building authority.

That can include work involving:

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Structural changes

• Additions

• Decks

• Garage conversions

• Finished basements

• New bedrooms

• Shops and accessory structures

• Major remodeling

Requirements vary by jurisdiction and project, so buyers shouldn’t assume.

🚩 Why Should a Buyer Care?

Because after you buy the property, an old improvement can become your problem.

Potential issues could include:

✔ Safety concerns

✔ Code violations

✔ Problems obtaining future permits

✔ Unexpected repair expenses

✔ Insurance complications

✔ Financing or appraisal concerns

✔ Difficulty selling the property later

That gorgeous addition isn’t nearly as exciting if you later discover major work needs to be corrected.

📋 Don’t Assume the Listing Tells the Whole Story

A listing might advertise:

4 bedrooms.

But do public records show four bedrooms?

The home might advertise:

2,400 square feet.

Does the available property information support that?

Maybe the garage was converted into living space.

Maybe an addition was built years ago.

Maybe everything was properly approved.

Maybe it wasn’t.

Ask. Verify. Understand.

🔎 Look for Clues During the Showing

Some things should make you ask additional questions:

• Garage converted into living space

• Recently finished basement

• Enclosed patio

• Large addition

• New bathroom in an unusual location

• Detached shop with power or plumbing

• Major electrical upgrades

• Walls that appear to have been moved

None of these automatically means there’s a problem.

They simply may deserve more investigation.

🏛️ Check Available Records

Depending on the property, you may want to investigate available:

✔ Permit history

✔ County property records

✔ Building information

✔ Septic information

✔ Approved plans

✔ Final inspections

And remember:

No permit found doesn’t automatically prove one was required or never existed.

That’s when more questions may be appropriate.

🛠️ Your Home Inspector Is NOT the Permit Department

A home inspector evaluates the property’s observable condition.

That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re verifying the complete permit history or determining whether every improvement complies with every applicable code.

Those are different questions.

Use the right resource for the right job.

🐾 Harley’s Bottom Line

Don’t just ask, “Does the remodel look good?”

Ask:

“Was it done properly?”

Beautiful finishes can hide expensive problems.

A little investigation before closing can help you understand exactly what you’re buying and potentially save you from a very expensive surprise later.

Thinking about buying?

Stephen will help you identify the questions worth asking and make sure you have the opportunity to perform the due diligence that’s important to you.

📞 360-261-2062

🌐 stephenburright.com

Paws up,

Harley 🐾

Hey friends, Harley here. 🐶🐾You found a house with a great backyard.Nice fence.Big shed.Maybe even enough room for me to patrol the whole place.So everything inside that fence belongs to you… right?**Not necessarily.**One mistake buyers can make is assuming a fence, hedge, driveway, or row of trees automatically marks the legal property boundary.Sometimes it does.Sometimes it doesn’t.And that’s something you want to understand before you buy.## 📍 A Fence Is Not a SurveyA fence shows you where someone decided to put a fence.It doesn’t necessarily show you where the legal property line is.Fences can be:• Inside the property line• Over the property line• Shared with a neighbor• Installed years ago without confirming the boundaryNever assume the fence tells the whole story.## 🏡 Why Property Lines MatterImagine buying a home because you love the huge backyard.Then discovering part of what you thought was your yard actually belongs to the neighbor.Or finding out that:• A shed crosses a boundary• A driveway partially sits on another property• A neighbor’s fence is on your property• Landscaping extends beyond the legal lot• A structure doesn’t have the setback you expectedSuddenly, a little line on a map becomes a pretty big deal.## 🗺️ Look at the Property InformationDepending on the property and situation, useful information may include:✔ Legal description✔ Plat map✔ County records✔ Recorded surveys✔ Easements✔ Title documentsThese documents can provide important information, but don’t assume every online map shows an exact legal boundary.## 🚩 Pay Attention to EasementsYou may own the land and still have someone else with legal rights to use part of it.An easement could involve:• Utilities• Shared driveways• Access roads• Drainage• Neighbor accessThat’s why easements deserve attention before you purchase.## 📏 When Should You Consider a Survey?A professional survey may be worth considering when:✔ Property lines aren’t obvious✔ You’re buying acreage✔ A structure appears close to a boundary✔ There is a shared driveway✔ You plan to build a fence, shop, garage, or addition✔ The seller and neighbor disagree about a boundary✔ Something simply doesn’t look rightA survey can cost money.A property-line dispute can cost a whole lot more.## 🌲 Acreage Buyers, Pay Extra AttentionThis becomes even more important with larger parcels.Don’t assume:**”The property goes from that tree to that fence.”**Verify what you’re actually buying.Ten acres on paper doesn’t help much if you don’t understand where those ten acres actually are.## 🐾 Harley’s Bottom Line**Don’t buy the fence line.****Buy the property line.**Know where your property begins, where it ends, and what rights other people may have to use it.Because after closing is a terrible time to discover that your new shop, driveway, fence, or favorite part of the backyard isn’t where you thought it was.Thinking about buying?Stephen will help you ask the right questions and know when additional due diligence may be worth considering before you commit.📞 360-261-2062🌐 stephenburright.comPaws up,**Harley 🐾**Stephen Burright and Harley Too

Hey friends, Harley here. 🐶🐾

You bought the house.

You know your mortgage payment.

So that payment stays exactly the same forever, right?

Not necessarily.

Even if you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your total monthly housing payment can still change.

One of the biggest reasons?

Property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Here’s what buyers should understand BEFORE choosing a monthly budget.

💰 Fixed Rate Doesn’t Always Mean Fixed Payment

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the principal and interest portion of your payment generally stays predictable.

But your total payment may also include:

• Property taxes

• Homeowners insurance

• Mortgage insurance, when applicable

• Other escrowed expenses

Those costs can change.

That means the amount coming out of your bank account each month can change too.

🏡 Property Taxes Can Change

Property taxes aren’t necessarily frozen at the amount the previous owner was paying.

Taxes may change because of things like:

✔ Changes in assessed value

✔ Local tax rates or levies

✔ Expiring exemptions

✔ New construction or improvements

✔ Changes in how the property qualifies for certain programs

Don’t build your budget around the assumption that today’s tax amount will never move.

🧾 Your Escrow Account Can Be Adjusted

If your lender collects taxes and insurance through an escrow account, they’ll periodically review it.

If those expenses increase, your lender may need to collect more money each month.

That’s when a buyer can suddenly wonder:

“Why did my mortgage payment go up? I have a fixed rate!”

The interest rate may not have changed at all.

The escrow portion did.

🛡️ Homeowners Insurance Can Change Too

Insurance premiums can increase over time.

Your cost can be affected by:

• Coverage changes

• Replacement costs

• Claims history

• Deductibles

• Insurance market conditions

This is another reason I don’t want buyers looking only at principal and interest when deciding what they can afford.

📊 Budget for the TOTAL Cost of Ownership

Before buying, look beyond the advertised mortgage payment.

Ask:

✔ What are the current property taxes?

✔ What might homeowners insurance cost?

✔ Is there mortgage insurance?

✔ Are there HOA dues?

✔ What other recurring property expenses should I expect?

A house that technically fits the loan approval still needs to fit your real-world budget.

🐾 Harley’s Bottom Line

Don’t ask only:

“What’s my mortgage payment?”

Ask:

“What could my total housing cost look like over time?”

A fixed mortgage rate can provide stability.

But taxes, insurance, and other ownership expenses can still move.

Understanding that BEFORE you buy can prevent a nasty surprise AFTER you get the keys.

Thinking about buying?

Stephen will help you look beyond the purchase price and understand the numbers that actually affect your monthly budget.

📞 360-261-2062

🌐 stephenburright.com

Paws up,

Harley 🐾

Hey friends, Harley here. 🐶🐾You found a home you like.The photos look great.The showing went well.Then your agent hands you something called a seller disclosure.Don’t just skim it.This document can tell you a lot about the property before you ever own it.Let’s break it down.## 📄 What Is a Seller Disclosure?A seller disclosure is a document where the seller answers questions about the property based on what they know.Depending on the property and transaction, it may address things such as:• Roof history• Water or drainage issues• Plumbing• Electrical systems• Septic or sewer information• Wells• Structural concerns• Past damage or repairsThe disclosure is not the same thing as a home inspection.It is information from the seller about known conditions.## 🚩 Pay Attention to Water ProblemsWater issues deserve extra attention.Look for references to:✔ Roof leaks✔ Basement or crawlspace moisture✔ Drainage problems✔ Flooding✔ Plumbing leaksA past problem does not automatically make a home bad.But you should understand what happened, how it was repaired, and whether the problem could return.## 🔧 Look for Major RepairsHas the home had:• Foundation work?• Roof replacement?• Electrical repairs?• Plumbing replacement?• Fire or water damage?Repairs are not necessarily a negative.In fact, properly completed repairs can be a good thing.The important question is whether the work was done correctly and whether documentation is available.## 🏡 Watch for “Unknown” AnswersSometimes sellers legitimately do not know the answer.But multiple “unknown” responses mean you may need to investigate further.That could mean:✔ Asking more questions✔ Reviewing permits✔ Having your inspector look closely✔ Consulting an appropriate specialistNever assume “unknown” means “no problem.”## 🔍 Compare the Disclosure to What You SeeIf the disclosure says there have never been water problems…But you see staining on the ceiling?Ask about it.If the seller says the roof is newer…Ask when it was installed.If something does not add up, investigate before closing.## 🐾 Harley’s Bottom LineA seller disclosure is not just another piece of paperwork.It is information that can help you make a smarter decision.Read it.Ask questions.And use it together with your inspection and other due diligence.The more you know before closing, the fewer surprises you are likely to face after you get the keys.Thinking about buying?Stephen will help you understand the paperwork, identify the questions worth asking, and make sure you know what you are buying before you commit.📞 360-261-2062🌐 stephenburright.comPaws up,Harley 🐾Stephen Burrigh tand Harley Too