Discrepancies with public records

[Rick Im]

I recently submitted an offer on a house listed as having 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. However, when I reviewed the property information on the PVA website, the records indicate it is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom property, excluding the 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom located downstairs. Interestingly, the records do include the downstairs space as part of the livable square footage. This discrepancy has left me confused—should I be concerned about this? My agent said no but I want to get a second opinion.

Rick

[Jonathan Greene]

Yes, you should be concerned, but you aren't looking in the right place. Call the town and ask what they have on the town card for bedrooms and bathrooms. Your main concern should be whether these bedrooms and bathrooms on the lower level are legal and have the proper egress require for fire code and livability. Realtors know nothing most of the time and will sell you anything with unpermitted stuff. Make sure you do an OPRA request to check for open permits and confirm with the town whether the 2/1 below is legal and permitted.