Hi @Garrett H.

Great questions—this definitely sounds like one of those quirky opportunities with potential *if* the details line up.

To your first point, **financing could be difficult** if the property is technically considered **raw land**, which it sounds like it may be. Most lenders won’t touch it unless it’s permitted or has legal utility connections, so you'd likely be looking at a land loan or cash.

**Retroactive permits are possible** through the County of San Diego, and they may save you some time and money versus starting from scratch. That said, it’s crucial to check **zoning and land use restrictions** first—unpermitted structures aren’t always eligible for legalization, especially in more rural or environmentally sensitive zones.

Also, as you guessed, **SDG\&E typically will not hook up electrical to an unpermitted structure.** You’d likely need to work with the County to bring the structure into compliance first. Without power, it’s not realistically habitable or rentable in a traditional sense.

If your goal is to rent it out eventually, make sure you have a clear path to legalization. Flying under the radar is risky—not just for insurance and liability, but also for resale.

Hope that helps, feel free to reach out to me with any questions, I would love to help!