“The Cash Offer Company”
Selling a house in Virginia isn’t always straightforward — especially when there’s an open building permit on the property. Whether you started a renovation and never finished, hired a contractor who ghosted you, or bought a home without knowing a permit was still active, open permits can stop a sale in its tracks. In this blog, we’ll explain what open permits mean in Virginia, how they affect your closing, and how to sell your home fast — even if it’s not code-compliant.
What Is an Open Permit in Virginia?
An open permit is a construction or renovation permit that was pulled but never officially closed or finalized by a local building department. It typically means:
- Work was started but never completed.
- The final inspection was never scheduled or passed.
- A contractor failed to submit paperwork or abandoned the job.
In Virginia, open permits follow the property — not the person. That means if you own the home now, you’re responsible for resolving it before you can transfer ownership legally in many cases.
How Open Permits Affect Home Sales
Trying to sell a house in Virginia with an open permit? Here’s what might happen:
- Buyers back out after discovering the issue during title or inspection review.
- Closings are delayed until the work is inspected, updated, or closed out.
- Mortgage lenders refuse to fund the transaction due to unresolved code risks.
- You’re forced to pay for repairs or hire contractors to finish the job — fast.
How to Find Out If You Have an Open Permit
If you’re unsure whether there’s an open permit on your Virginia property, contact your local building department. In Richmond, for example, you can check through the Planning and Development Review Department.
Other counties have similar lookup tools. Start with the following if you’re in these areas:
Can You Still Sell a House With an Open Permit?
Yes — but it depends on how you structure the deal:
- Traditional sale: You’ll likely need to close the permit or reduce your sale price significantly.
- As-is sale: If you disclose the issue, some buyers (especially investors) may still purchase the property.
- Cash buyer: Companies like The Cash Offer Company specialize in buying houses with open permits, unfinished projects, or code violations.
Why Homeowners Choose Cash Sales in Virginia
If you’re under pressure to sell quickly and don’t have time or budget to deal with an open permit, a cash offer might be the best route. Here’s why Virginia homeowners work with us:
- No repairs needed: Sell exactly as-is — we handle the paperwork and the problem.
- Quick closings: 7–10 day timelines available.
- Skip the agents: No commissions or MLS delays.
- Local expertise: We know the permitting rules in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and beyond.
Why Work With The Cash Offer Company
At The Cash Offer Company, we help Virginia homeowners sell houses with open permits, failed inspections, unfinished work, and other construction-related roadblocks. We’re based in Richmond and buy homes across Central Virginia — offering fast, fair cash offers with no hidden fees.
Take the Next Step
Need to sell your Virginia house with an open permit? We’ll buy it as-is. Contact The Cash Offer Company today for a no-obligation cash offer and guidance on your next step.
Contact Information
The Cash Offer Company
Phone: 804-215-4004
Email: info@thecashoffercompany.com
Website: https://www.thecashoffercompany.com/
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. For specific guidance regarding your property or situation, please consult a licensed professional.
