I have an FHA appraisal for a mfg home (vacant) and the weeds are 3 ft + high. Question (don't laugh) is this a safety question or a deferred maintenance problem.......or both? Snakes and things you know.
Mr. Coffey,
Sure hope your first name is not Jennifer! ..
I agree and disagree both with the esteemed Mr. Clark. Especially, if this is a sale. You didn't say. I do so reminding myself of my location versus your location, and the fact I remember my brother telling me a water moccasin (snake to you Pacific NW folks) came out of the canal behind his place when he lived in one location and killed his dog. So I guess it could have killed a child. Finding one when it is two inches away from you, or your kids, due to lack of yard maintenance may not be a desired thrill in some locations.
So here is my answer. If you have poisonous snakes or other undesirable, and deadly, critters that make tall grass and weeds considered dangerous by the real estate buying public in your area..... then you have a safety issue. If the public does not consider an overgrown residential yard hazardous, just ugly, then you have only a maintenance issue adjusted on the condition row of the grid. (Maybe the appeal row. Either way, weed wacking and other corrections to the acceptable level for that market may not be much of an adjustment. Just show you considered it as needed.)
It is not only just FHA described hazards we need to consider if the local market has other ones that IT is considering! But if you choose the battle, be prepared to fight the war and prove your right.
Webbed.
