FHA Work And Fees

[RSW]

I can tell if a water stain is old or recent and can tell if a roof has been replaced in recent years. I will note old water stains in the report and most times call it cosmetic while other times I would call for an inspection. I am talking about conventional loan appraisals. I do look in the attic for FHA, VA, and USDA appraisals as I have done since 1997.

 

[Tom4value]

I can tell if a water stain is old or recent and can tell if a roof has been replaced in recent years. I will note old water stains in the report and most times call it cosmetic while other times I would call for an inspection. I am talking about conventional loan appraisals. I do look in the attic for FHA, VA, and USDA appraisals as I have done since 1997.

Really? You can do that, eh? Good for you! You possess powers I am not aware of and if you can convince an underwriter to "shut up and trust me. I don't need to look in an attic to determine if water damage is new or old", all the power to ya.

Sarcasm aside, I treat all of my appraisals (quality wise) the same. It doesn't matter the loan program or the scope of work. I never bought into the erroneous assumption that "an FHA appraisal is better than an appraisal for a conventional loan". I was trained that an appraisal is not just about a number but also as the "eyes and ears" of the client to aide them in making a lending decision or, if is a private appraisal to determine market value to list for sale, what is needed to know that would affect market value.

 

[RSW]

I guess it is just part of the scope of work for the specific assignment. My hat is off to you if you want to go beyond what is neccessary. I don't believe in doing the minimum, but I don't give my time up for free either.

 

[glenn walker]

Really? You can do that, eh? Good for you! You possess powers I am not aware of and if you can convince an underwriter to "shut up and trust me. I don't need to look in an attic to determine if water damage is new or old", all the power to ya.

Sarcasm aside, I treat all of my appraisals (quality wise) the same. It doesn't matter the loan program or the scope of work. I never bought into the erroneous assumption that "an FHA appraisal is better than an appraisal for a conventional loan". I was trained that an appraisal is not just about a number but also as the "eyes and ears" of the client to aide them in making a lending decision or, if is a private appraisal to determine market value to list for sale, what is needed to know that would affect market value.

TOM FOR VALUE YOU OBVIOUSLY have no experience with construction or common sense so stick to hay -seed property that are conventional : LMAO)

 

[Tom4value]

I guess it is just part of the scope of work for the specific assignment. My hat is off to you if you want to go beyond what is neccessary. I don't believe in doing the minimum, but I don't give my time up for free either.

Oh, I agree with your last statement. My point is I was trained as a young appraiser to anticipate what your client is going to want to know. For the attic, if I take a moment to look in the attic, I can cut off a request to look in the attic at a later date- worrying about if a) I am obligated to b) if I am, going back out there (with no additional fee) or c) saying I don't have to and having them drop me from the list.

Usually, my drive out to the property is at least a half hour. Having an inspection be 25 minutes instead of 15 minutes.....I can live with that. Just me. Just my opinion.

 

[glenn walker]

While I agree with you in spirit, that type of limited inspection is only acceptable when the appraiser can not fully enter the crawl. I would wager that is what happens on 99.9% of crawlspace inspections but that is counter to what they expect. I have sat through two 1-day seminars that FHA has held here locally. They did not leave any doubt with what they expect and basically stated that those not following protocol should leave the panel.

Again, I agree with your point. Most of what they expect should fall outside of the appraisal inspection protocol.

YOU cannot get into a crawl space where there is no sub -floor to support you to stand on and in in California if you pulled your fat *** into a attic scuttle -Which you could not and tried to walk into it you would fall through the ceiling because it is not a floor - BUT- I would love to see it done because the only people I hate more than stupid appraisers is dentists LMAO

 

[CANative]

That is not what it says Greg. We've had this discussion before. Trust me the instructor from FHA did not say "only when its' easy and safe"

H&S is the way my supervisor taught me and the way I did for many years. H&S is acceptable only there is not adequate access. That doesn't mean anything lower than your 5' stature.

I no longer argue on the internet.

Do it your way and I won't have any complaints.

Cheers.

 

[CANative]

In cases where access through a scuttle is limited, and the Appraiser cannot fully enter the crawl space, the insertion of at least the head and shoulders of the Appraiser will suffice.

Not all houses (especially historic houses) with a vacant area beneath the flooring are considered to have a crawl space; it may be an intentional void, with no mechanical systems and no intention or reason for access.

 

[EddieB]

Glad you changed your ways Greg. I’m not arguing with you, just stating what the FHA guy told about 200 of us during that 8hr session. Verbatim, if you can get through the crawl space on hands and knees, then it is accessible.

Again, I’m in agreement with the absurdity of that.

 

[EddieB]

Ditto to you as well Glen