Ha ha.

A real estate agent isn't an attorney. Nor, is an agent a lender. Or, a building inspector.

When an agent tries to be any of these things, it leads to broken dreams, and, therefore, lawsuits.

Dear Barry,

When I bought my home, the seller disclosed that the sun-room was added without a building permit. At the time, my Realtor assured me that a permit was not required because the room is less than 150 square feet. But now I'm doing some remodeling, and my contractor says the sunroom is not legal without a permit. When I called my Realtor, she said the contractor is wrong. Who do I believe? &8211;Barbara

Answer: No the agent.

Why not?

First, an agent is not a building inspector. The agent made a big mistake in this case, one that could come back to haunt him or her. If the facts of this case are as described, I'd bet the agent is looking at a lawsuit.

Regarding the issue of building permits, I cannot stress enough, make sure you get building permits for any work you do in your current home. You'll thank me when you sell.

If you are buying a home (meaning, house or condo), ask if any work was performed within the unit, and ask for all the building permits. Did the owner put up a roof deck, for example. Or, put a wall in to make it a two-bedroom instead of a one.

If you don't have permits, and the city gets wind of it, you could be charged a fine. Or, worse ... ordered to tear it down.

Or, worse ... your home might not appraise when you find a buyer.

More: Realtor's bad advice - By Barry Stone, Inman News, by way of The Boston Globe

Also: The power of permits - By Dian Hymer, Inman News, by way of The Boston Globe