Why would a buyer want to know whether any additions or alterations were made to a property?

A buyer's primary concern regarding additions or alterations is to verify the legality and safety of the work. This is accomplished by determining if the proper building permits were obtained from the local jurisdiction. Unpermitted work can create significant liability for a new owner, including municipal fines, orders to remove the alteration, difficulty obtaining homeowner's insurance, and potential safety hazards if the work does not comply with building codes. Verifying permits is a critical step in the buyer's due diligence process to avoid inheriting these substantial legal and financial risks.

A. A price reduction is a potential outcome of discovering unpermitted work, not the primary reason for the initial inquiry.

C. Removing additions is a possible remedy if unpermitted work is found, but it is not the reason for asking the question in the first place.

D. Identifying the contractor is secondary to the more critical issue of ensuring the work was legally permitted and compliant with safety codes.

1. Maryland Code, Real Property Article, § 10-702. This statute governs the Maryland Residential Property Disclosure and Disclaimer Statement. The form itself, mandated by this law, requires sellers to disclose information about the property's condition, including "additions, structural alterations, or other structural changes to the property." A subsequent question directly asks if permits were secured for these changes, underscoring that permit status is the key legal concern.

2. University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law. Course materials for Real Estate Transactions often emphasize the buyer's due diligence. A central component of this diligence is the verification of the property's legal compliance, which includes ensuring all construction, additions, and alterations were properly permitted and inspected by the relevant government authority to ensure they meet building and safety codes. (e.g., Real Estate Transactions Course Syllabus, section on "Buyer's Due Diligence & Title Review").

3. Maryland Real Estate Commission, Public Records and Property Information. Official guidance for licensees stresses the importance of verifying material facts. The existence of unpermitted additions is a material fact that can affect a property's value and legal status. Licensees are encouraged to advise buyers to investigate permit history through local municipal or county records as part of their due diligence. (Reference: Maryland Real Estate Commission, Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 09.11.02.01 on licensee obligations).