Posted by Frank Chin on July 25, 2006 at 08:46:29:
Michael:
If the tax records show that it’s a 3/2, that’s what it is, a 3/2, regardless of whether there’s one or two kithcens, with the second perhaps illegal.
I don’t know how strict zoning is, but around here, the NY Metro area, they’ve been getting strict and tough, with appraisers coming around checking the property against CO’s (certificate of occupany) with the seller required to have the property conform if it does not conform.
When I sold a multi, I lived in one of the units, and I had a laundry room built. I never submitted plans. I knew when I sold, it may count as a violation, and there’s no value attached once the they check things against the CO. I filed plans for the rehab, had the plunbing redone because the gas pipe was not of regulation size. Then I was able to sell it legally, and get paid for the improvement.
What you might have is called an “illegal conversion”, and somewhere along the line, a neighbor may have turned the owner in, resulting in the staircase being removed. No one ever checked inside on the illegal kitchen.
A number of relatives of ours bought properties with illegal kitchens already put in, where a SFH has an extra kitchen in the basement for a “live in nanny”, or for a close relative, or mom to live out her years. They removed them after renovation.
They offered even less because of the "need’ for renovation to conform.
So you might want to pay even less if that’s the case, as it’s your responsibility if you bought it, for what we call “violation removal” around here.
Good luck.
Frank Chin