FHA Square footage question

[Metroappr]

Hi-I am appraising a 1920 bungalow-long. The attic space has been finished to very livable quality but the stairs to access 2nd floor is through the bathroom. Can this be counted in square footage or finished attic space? Thanks in advance.

 

[Red Flint]

Which wall is the toilet paper on?

 

[Metroappr]

The northeast wall that faces south.

 

[Mike Ault]

We've got to see a picture of this one…

 

[Metroappr]

Thanks so much for the helpful information. This forum never ceases to amaze me!

 

[Mike Ault]

Thanks so much for the helpful information. This forum never ceases to amaze me!

You're talking about a dysfunctional floor plan. That means that the area which can only be accessed through a bathroom is not commensurate in quality with the rest of the dwelling. I have seen plenty of attic conversions that can only be accessed by ladder style stairs of some sort and those do not meet the criteria for GLA, that's why I wanted to see a picture. If you have a proper staircase leading up from the "bathroom" then I wouldn't consider the bathroom as functional nor value it as such.

 

[J Grant]

Anzi has a ceiling height guidelines which might inlcuce many finished attics as included in GLA sf living area regardless of where the stairs are.

However, starts in a bathroom? Even for a funky olde house that is bit much wrt funct obs - sounds like glorified storage space - if it is nice enough that anyone uses it to watch tv or whatever some line item adjustment fo that utility can be made Your call though -

 

[Lil Rhody]

Anzi has a ceiling height guidelines which might inlcuce many finished attics as included in GLA sf living area regardless of where the stairs are.

However, starts in a bathroom? Even for a funky olde house that is bit much wrt funct obs - sounds like glorified storage space - if it is nice enough that anyone uses it to watch tv or whatever some line item adjustment fo that utility can be made Your call though -

I agree with the functional obsolescence but the OP stated that this is for FHA so I wouldn't make a decision on the applicability of the attic being considered GLA because of ANSI standards. Appraisers can use ANSI for FHA appraisals but are not bound to use that measurement standard.

 

[djd09]

ANSI for FHA appraisals but are not bound to use that measurement standard.

ansi is so bad...that even the FHA didn't adopt it

 

[Mike Ault]

We have literally wasted weeks on FHA appraisal questions from posters who don't want to post pictures of the issue.