Sell a House With Code Violations
Unpermitted additions, an illegal conversion, open citations, accumulating daily fines. Code problems are one of the most reliable ways for a conventional sale to fall apart, because the buyer's lender wants the county record and the property to agree. We buy properties with open violations and unpermitted work, and we do not require you to resolve them first.
Why sellers in this situation contact us
No corrective work first
You do not have to pull permits, undo additions or pass a re-inspection before selling
Unpermitted square footage
Converted garages, added bedrooms, enclosed patios, ADUs without permits — all routine for us
Open citations are workable
Existing notices and accrued fines do not stop a cash purchase
No lender objection
Cash means no underwriter comparing permits against the county record
The fines stop for you
Daily accruals become our problem at closing, not yours
The problems this situation creates
Fines can accrue daily
Many jurisdictions add penalties for every day a violation stands, so the cost of doing nothing grows steadily while you decide.
Lenders block financed sales
Where permits do not match what exists, appraisals and underwriting frequently stall — removing most of your buyer pool.
Retroactive permits are slow and uncertain
Legalising existing work can mean opening walls, engineering reports and rework, with no guarantee the result is approved.
Unpermitted space may not count
An appraiser can exclude unpermitted square footage entirely, so the value you believe you have may not appear in a valuation.
Liens follow the property
Unpaid code fines can become liens, which surface in title and have to be dealt with at closing.
Escalation
Unresolved cases can progress to abatement or receivership, which brings deadlines set by someone else.
When selling to us is not the right move
If the violation is minor and cheap to clear — a permit closed out, debris removed, a fence height corrected — clear it and list the house normally. You will do better. The case for selling as-is is about violations that are expensive, structural, or that a lender will not overlook.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of violations will you buy with?
Unpermitted additions and conversions, illegal units, non-conforming electrical and plumbing, overgrowth and debris notices, junk vehicle citations, substandard housing notices. Tell us what you are dealing with.
Who pays the outstanding fines?
Where fines have attached to the property, they normally show up in the title search and are settled out of proceeds at closing rather than paid by you beforehand. Title and escrow will confirm the treatment for your case.
Do I have to disclose the violations to you?
Yes, and it is in your interest to. Known code issues are material and are disclosable in a California sale. Telling us up front also means the offer reflects reality and does not need revising later.
Can you buy a house with an illegal unit?
Generally yes. That is one of the most common reasons a financed sale falls through and one of the more common reasons owners come to us.
The city has started legal proceedings about my property.
Tell us immediately — it affects how and how quickly a purchase can be structured. It is also a point at which you should get your own attorney involved, because enforcement proceedings can carry consequences beyond the property itself.
This page explains how selling a property for cash works. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and it is not a substitute for advice about your own situation.
Where we buy:
About My California Home Solution
- My California Home Solution is a real estate investment company that buys houses directly for cash and sells off-market investment properties to investors.
- Service area: San Diego County and Riverside County, California.
- Office address: 1132 San Marino Dr #100, San Marcos, CA 92078.
- Calls are answered by a person Monday through Saturday, 7am to 5pm Pacific, and the office is closed Sunday. Online offer requests are accepted at any hour and receive an immediate automated confirmation.
- Typical closing window: 7 to 14 days, with the seller choosing the closing date.
- Sellers pay no agent commission and no closing costs, and no repairs are required.
- Contact: (760) 477-4552 or deals@mycahomesolution.com.
- My California Home Solution is a member of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Membership is an affiliation, not an accreditation, rating or endorsement.
- My California Home Solution is a property-buying company, not a brokerage — when we make an offer we are the buyer, not your agent. Richard Farmer is a licensed California real estate broker (DRE #01229897) affiliated with Ktesius Realty Corporation (DRE #01842107), so brokerage services are available separately if listing suits you better.