Pre-sale property research — official sources for Bainbridge Island sellers.

What the records show

A permit record search returns a list of permits issued for a specific parcel — permit type, date, scope of work, and whether the permit received final inspection sign-off. You can see whether a room addition, deck, garage conversion, or other improvement was done with a permit and whether it passed final inspection.

Older properties frequently have improvements made before stricter oversight was in place. A permit search helps you understand what was done with official approval and what may have been done informally.

Why it matters before selling

Washington’s seller-disclosure form (Form 17, governed by RCW 64.06) asks specifically whether any improvements have been made without required permits and whether any violations of building codes, zoning laws, or permit requirements are known. Knowing your permit history before selling helps you answer those questions accurately.

Buyers using lender financing often face restrictions on properties with significant known unpermitted work. Understanding your property’s permit status early — before pricing or negotiating — avoids surprises.

What you can find

• Legal parcel description and parcel number (APN)
• Current ownership of record
• Recorded square footage, lot size, bedroom and bathroom count
• Year built and construction type on file
• Assessed value history and current assessed value
• Property tax amounts and payment status
• Any exemptions applied (senior, disabled veteran, etc.)

Why it matters before selling

Discrepancies between what the assessor has on file and what’s actually on the property can raise questions during due diligence. If the assessor shows a 1,200 sq ft house and you’ve added a 400 sq ft addition, that gap may prompt a buyer to ask about permits for the work.

Reviewing the assessor record before selling also helps you confirm that property taxes are current. Unpaid property taxes appear as a lien on the title and must typically be paid at or before closing regardless of sale type.

What the records contain

Recorded documents for a parcel may include: the current deed reflecting ownership, the deed of trust from your lender if the property is mortgaged, any recorded liens (judgment liens, IRS liens, contractor liens), easements for utilities or access across the property, and any CC&Rs or restrictive covenants from a prior subdivision or developer.

What to look for as a seller

Most sellers discover encumbrances through the title company during escrow — but reviewing recorded documents in advance can surface issues worth resolving early. A recorded lien you weren’t aware of, an easement that limits a buyer’s plans, or a CC&R restricting use of the property are all things a buyer will find and may raise. Knowing in advance gives you time to address them or price accordingly.

Septic systems — what KPHD tracks

KPHD records include the type and location of the permitted septic system, the approval date and original design, and any prior inspection or operation-and-maintenance (O&M) records on file. For properties where the system was installed or repaired after county tracking began, the record is generally complete. Older systems may have minimal records.

Conveyance inspection: Kitsap County requires a KPHD-approved inspection of the septic system when a property changes ownership (with some exceptions). The inspection evaluates whether the system is functioning adequately. A failing system or one that needs repair can affect the timeline and terms of any sale — direct or traditional. Knowing your system’s condition before listing or negotiating is worthwhile.

Private wells — what to gather

If your property is on a private well, lenders financing a buyer’s purchase typically require a water quality test before closing. The test checks for bacteria (coliform), nitrates, and other contaminants. Washington State’s well log database (maintained by the Department of Ecology) may have records on older wells, though older logs are sometimes incomplete.

If you have prior water quality test results, the well driller’s log, or any repair or treatment records, gathering them before a sale starts simplifies due diligence for any buyer — direct or traditional.

What Form 17 covers

The disclosure form covers the seller’s actual knowledge across several categories, including:

• Title — ownership, liens, easements, encumbrances
• Water — source (public, private well, shared), any known issues
• Sewer and on-site sewage — system type, condition, prior inspections
• Structural — foundation, roof, walls, known water intrusion
• Systems — heating, electrical, plumbing known defects
• Environmental — known hazardous materials, contamination
• Permits and code compliance — any known unpermitted work or violations
• Homeowners association — if applicable, fees and rules

What sellers need to know

Form 17 asks about actual knowledge — what you know about the property — not what you can prove or what a professional has verified. The obligation is to disclose what you know, not to investigate what you don’t know. That said, reviewing the official records described in sections 1–4 of this guide before completing Form 17 puts you in a better position to answer questions accurately.

Certain transactions are exempt from some or all disclosure requirements — transfers to a spouse or co-owner, some foreclosure-related transfers, and others. RCW 64.06 defines the exemptions.