How can I find out if my neighbor's project has a permit before I report it?

Leandra, the easiest check is the city's own permit records. A lot of cities let you search building permits by address online. If you can't find a search tool, call the building inspections office and ask what's on file for that address. Asking about permit history isn't the same as filing a complaint, so you can do it quietly. Also look for a permit card posted on site, often in a window or on the fence. As for value, the missing permit by itself usually matters less to your house than what the work actually does to it. Water draining onto your lot or a structure creeping over the property line is what buyers and inspectors pick up on. Take dated photos now either way. Since I'm a California agent, a Plano agent will have a better read on how local buyers react to this. And if anything crosses onto your land, a real estate attorney is worth a call. Alla Novytska, Realtor®, JohnHart Real Estate, DRE #02254775

Speaking to your local township permit board is your best course of action in this situation. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States