Tree Very Close To The House

[suzy70]

We are appraising a home with several trees within a couple of feet from the house. The home has a slab foundation, no basement. The trunks of the trees are not touching the foundation but the branches touch the house and extend over the roofline. There are no observable signs that the trees have damaged the foundation. Do we need to condition for removal of the trees (it's not an FHA appraisal) or just disclose that there are trees close to the house and let the lender decide? Thanks

 

[JTip]

You are not an arborist (or are you?).

Turn in the report, get paid and go to Brighton.

 

[Michigan CG]

Do we need to condition for removal of the trees.................

Who or what gave any appraiser the right or duty to force people to remove trees from their property?

 

[gregb]

In high fire zones, local fire department enforces fire hazards, including trees and brush too close to homes.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Above grade branches often (depending on the type of tree) mirror below grade roots which can undermine slab foundations.

 

[Deleted member 77547]

You simply note that there are a number of trees close to the home, take pictures and note if it impacts its marketability and/or value. Let the underwriter decide what to do with the trees...they're the ones that should be calling for further inspection.

If its FHA then it may be a safey/structural issue and same...you call it out and let the underwriter decide if its worth their while.

 

[miktay]

No my yob.

 

[suzy70]

Above grade branches often (depending on the type of tree) mirror below grade roots which can undermine slab foundations.

That's exactly what we were thinking. In our opinion it's best to disclose it to the lender and leave it at that. Thanks

 

[residentialguy]

And the tree will likely have infestation that will spread to the house in the future...

 

[Eli]

Yeah. Disclose it. Those roots can do some serious damage.