Minimal Room Size per Fannie Mae?

[tops2]

Does Fannie identify a "minimal" square footage to be a bedroom? Or physical characteristics of a bedroom? Or can it be identified as a bedroom if the mattress fits wall-to-wall (formerly a closet). Thanks

 

[SunbeltAppraisals]

no habitable space may be less than 70 square feet. Best to ask your building department.

 

[tops2]

Thanks Florida...would you happen to know section/page, etc of that criteria? Better to have in file for suppport. Thanks again

 

[Wendy]

Thanks Florida...would you happen to know section/page, etc of that criteria? Better to have in file for suppport. Thanks again

Call your local building inspectors - they should give you the code reference applicable for your area.

 

[tops2]

Thanks again FL...but here in the mountains of WV I'm asking about the specific Fannie Mae reference. This area doesn't have a local "inspector" or department to reference.

 

[Wendy]

Hummm, the 70SF is a part of the county building code here (I'm married to a building inspector for the county - I cheat and just ask him ). I'm not sure were Fannie may or may not reference it.....

I've honestly never had it come up in my practice.

 

[stefan olafson]

Take a look in I believe it's 4150, if you read the entire thing you'll learn more than just if Fannie has a minimum bedroom size.

As far as I know a bedroom has to have a closet. I typically make sure that it has a window (for escape in case of fire) or a route to a nearby window.

I don't think I've ever read about a minimum size?

 

[Dan/Fla]

Thanks again FL...but here in the mountains of WV I'm asking about the specific Fannie Mae reference. This area doesn't have a local "inspector" or department to reference.

Your state does not require Building Permits? I am sure they do If you see any New construction in your area. Look in what ever they call a Permit box in you area. and On the Permit it should have an address and or phone of that dept. Then contact them, for local answer.

 

[Don Clark]

There is no such guideline in Fannie Mae, and the one in the 4150.2 simply refers to FHA requirements for a Manufactured Home. Fannie Mae will likely securitize a loan where the rooms, any rooms, are usual or normal and customary for the area and market. For example, many very old homes do not have closets in bedrooms but if that is normal and customary you can count the room as a bedroom if there is market acceptance. Fannie Mae, VA and FHA are not in the business of enforcing building codes. But, if the local codes would not allow such a small area to be counted as a bedroom you could reaonably use that to show that it is not acceptable in the market.

 

[stefan olafson]

Thanks Don for setting me straight on this one. I didn't think I'd seen anything in there and my reference to closets indeed comes from local building codes as well as windows...

It's nice to hear from the experts once in a while!