Before You Panic: What “Up to Code” Really Means When Selling
After nearly 40 years in real estate, I’ve learned that one of the biggest concerns when we sit down to talk about selling is this: “Am I going to have to bring my house ‘up to code’—and what costly repairs might a buyer ask for?” My job is to put those fears into perspective and give a realistic picture of what you can expect.
This concern comes up in nearly every selling conversation, especially with long-time homeowners and seniors who have lived in their homes for decades. The phrase “up to code” can sound intimidating, expensive, and undefined—and often creates more worry than necessary.
The Short Answer
Selling a home does not automatically require bringing it fully “up to code.”
What can happen is that certain municipalities require a point-of-sale occupancy inspection, and buyers may also request repairs based on their own inspection. These are two different processes, with different standards and expectations.
What “Up to Code” Actually Means
Building codes change over time. Most homes in the St. Louis area were built under older versions of code that were legal when constructed.
In general:
- Homes are not required to be retrofitted to today’s building code just because they are being sold
- Older homes are often considered legally acceptable even if they wouldn’t meet current construction standards
“Up to code” is not the same thing as “legally habitable.”
What Changes at the Time of Sale
Some municipalities require an occupancy inspection before issuing a new occupancy permit to the buyer. These inspections usually focus on life-safety and minimum habitability items—not modernization or cosmetic upgrades.
Buyer inspections, on the other hand, are used for negotiation and do not carry enforcement authority.
Bottom Line
The idea that every home must be fully “brought up to code” before selling is one of the biggest misconceptions in real estate. What’s actually required depends on the municipality, the condition of the home, and the specifics of the sale.
Over the past decade, much of my work has focused on helping families navigate the sale of a home connected to an aging parent or an inherited property. These conversations often involve difficult decisions about whether to invest in repairs or sell a home as-is. Between renovating 17 homes myself and walking hundreds and hundreds of families through those same decisions, I bring both firsthand experience and practical perspective to what can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Sandie Hea
🌐 SellYourStLouisHome.com
📧 sandie.hea@stlre.com
📞 314.806.1908
About the Author:
With nearly four decades of experience, Sandie Hea is known for providing clear guidance, honest counsel, and steady leadership in even the most complex real estate situations.
