Permits can take time
As a prospective home buyer, it’s easy to get carried away with visions of grandeur. Home renovation projects like a new patio, garage, or addition involves permits first and the process could be as quick as a few days or weeks, depending on the project and your city’s specifications. “A new deck or patio, for instance, can take months if conservation and board hearings are required,” says Tom Sullivan Owner, T.M. Sullivan Construction. “Until you sign on the dotted line and the keys are in your hand, you as the homeowner, cannot pull a permit.” That means you have to close on the purchase of your home before you can even start with the paperwork, which can take weeks. Here are more secrets your real estate agent isn’t telling you.
Manage your expectations
“Schedules are very important as well and need to be looked at from all angles. The first thing most new homeowners want is to sign on the dotted line, get their keys, and start moving in,” says Sullivan. Although it’s possible to move in right away, that’s not always the case. The house may not be livable until certain projects are complete. Sullivan likens this to having a shiny new car in the driveway, but not being able to drive it for a few weeks or even months. “As a contractor, my goal is to give my clients a realistic time frame that they can plan on and if anything unforeseen arises, I do my best to address it quickly and properly,” says Sullivan. Here are more packing hacks to make your next move as stress-free as possible.
