Tree Very Close To The House

[jay trotta]

"As Is", as of of........any damage ?? No, move on

No one hear is Karnac the sooth sayer, and we cannot predict future answers on issues, mutha nature decides

 

[J Grant]

https://www.nachi.org/tree-dangers.htm

Interesting read-can cause settlement, foundation, infestation problems.

I would recommend an inspection , or make subject to inspection, and explain why. . The lender depends on appraiser to view the property and report back deficiencies that could affect value or safety/health, which may not be visible without an inspection.

The appraiser does not have the right or power to make people remove trees, though the lender can condition the loan on doing so. The owner can refuse , and not get the loan.

 

[Mr Rex]

First the roots heave the slab. Then somebody comes and cuts down the tree leaving the roots under the house. The roots begin to decay and termites finish them off and find a way into the house. The earth settles around the void left by the now non existent roots and the slab cracks and buckles on the way down. Nope, tree roots are no problem...

 

[J Grant]

Appraisers are supposed to have a modicum level of knowledge of basic property issues, Mr Rex's post above is true, how could any working appraiser not be aware of it..

If all an appraiser writes is " A couple of trees were close to the house " ( not my yob , ) then what, exactly, is our job? We may not be arborists, or home inspectors, but we should know enough when to recommend one or require one. If "nothing" is our job, why does the lender need us out there? A case is being made for automated appraisals with no inspection , or bifurcated appraisals with a RE agent for the inspection. If appraisers are that useless at an inspection, they have a point.

 

[Eli]

I am pretty sure home inspectors flag it. I would flag it.

 

[ucbruin]

https://www.nachi.org/tree-dangers.htm

Interesting read-can cause settlement, foundation, infestation problems.

I would recommend an inspection , or make subject to inspection, and explain why. . The lender depends on appraiser to view the property and report back deficiencies that could affect value or safety/health, which may not be visible without an inspection.

The appraiser does not have the right or power to make people remove trees, though the lender can condition the loan on doing so. The owner can refuse , and not get the loan.

I agree about taking photos and making a comment....
But I disagree with recommending an inspection...
How would you reply if the lender ask you to provide a comment regarding the impact on the subject's value/marketability/livability/etc.?
If the lender requested you provide a cost to cure, would you?
How would you react if the lender requested you provide a current sale with similar tree-house distance?

 

[Vermonter]

Yes I would mention the trees in the report and any impact on value/marketability. No I would not call for removal or inspection.

Without any obvious signs of damage, there's nothing else to report. This is why we use an "effective date"

 

[J Grant]

Yes I would mention the trees in the report and any impact on value/marketability. No I would not call for removal or inspection.

Without any obvious signs of damage, there's nothing else to report. This is why we use an "effective date"

Imo that's playing dumb. As an appraiser, if you know that trees so close to a house can be causing damage that is not yet visible ( underground roots damage to foundation etc see article), why not call for an inspection? Why are you trying to "protect" a homeowner, rather than inform your lender client of a condition of the property?

As of effective date, you know there could be damage/issues that an inspection could reveal, and are choosing to withhold the information from your client

No reason to speculate why lenders are ready to drop appraisers and turn to automated products or non appraiser to inspect.

 

[J Grant]

I agree about taking photos and making a comment....
But I disagree with recommending an inspection...
How would you reply if the lender ask you to provide a comment regarding the impact on the subject's value/marketability/livability/etc.?
If the lender requested you provide a cost to cure, would you?
How would you react if the lender requested you provide a current sale with similar tree-house distance?

I'd deal with those requests if the client asked about them.

Are you saying not to recommend an inspection because it might create more work for the appraiser?

 

[Vermonter]

Imo that's playing dumb. As an appraiser, if you know that trees so close to a house can be causing damage that is not yet visible ( underground roots damage to foundation etc see article), why not call for an inspection? Why are you trying to "protect" a homeowner, rather than inform your lender client of a condition of the property?

As of effective date, you know there could be damage/issues that an inspection could reveal, and are choosing to withhold the information from your client

No reason to speculate why lenders are ready to drop appraisers and turn to automated products or non appraiser to inspect.

Yeah cuz an automated product would catch a tree growing next to the house.

There is a difference between playing dumb and not speculating. You are reporting what you know on the effective date. You are not hiding anything from the lender. You are giving them the information YOU OBSERVED to make a decision. They could call for an inspection or let it pass, their call. The roots could cause problems, or they could not. If the soil beneath the slab was properly compacted and drained, the roots wouldn't penetrate...then what? You just wasted everybodys time by speculating.

Going by your logic, I assume you're reporting in every appraisal the potential impact of Hurricane Irma even tho it hasn't hit yet, correct?