Have you ever looked at a church with its beautiful stained-glass windows and thought what a wonderful home it would make? As church attendance declines, more churches are being scooped up by reno enthusiasts. If a church conversion is something you are thinking of, here’s what you should consider:

• Check what permits or variances you may need.
• Check if the church has a heritage designation, which could add extra costs or restrictions to the renovations.
• Before putting in an offer, research the building code requirements and have an inspection done to check the structural integrity of the church. You will also need to tally the projected costs of renovations to bring the building up to code.
• Lenders may require an Environmental Site Assessment before approving a loan to check for hazards, such as asbestos and lead-based paint.
• Since churches are generally tax-exempt, you will need to have that revoked for non-religious purposes.

Takeaway: If you do put in an offer on a church, you would be wise to have it contingent on looking into and securing any necessary noted requirements.

I have experience selling churches, call me today at 519-871-7994.