Acceptable Roof Photos

[Tom Woolford]

I've got an 8' Telescoping "selfie" stick that can pretty well see all parts of a 1 story roof. Also handy in attics with a bunch of crap around the scuttle. Put my camera on a 10 second timer and send it up. Usually only takes one shot.

 

[DTB]

Tell them you don't go on roofs.

I don't even go on my OWN roofs.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I quit after my nephew took a tumble and ended up in the emergency room. He's 27 years younger than I am.

 

[TRESinc]

i'm an appraiser, not a roofer. if you want a roof inspection hire a roofer.

 

[glenn walker]

Next time just simply make the appraisal subject to repair or inspection and recommend the lender get an-inspection from a licensed contractor certifying the roof has been repaired or has no leaks and then the contractor issues a roof certification to the lender and your done. Next time if you talk about damaged roof walk back and just take as many photos as possible and that's about all you can do - your not getting on the roof and that's why the lender is going to be getting a contractor who will walk the roof and go into the attic.

 

[J Grant]

Hello Fellow Appraisers!

I have a concern from a lender who keeps asking me to provide photos of a damaged roof that the borrower / owner that I could not visually see from standing on the ground. The borrower / owner showed me the bucket where the leak was occurred, so I took a picture and explained the roof damage in a revision I did. Now, the lender says that they need photos of the roof damage.

To what point is it acceptable for them to make a request like this to me demanding pictures I don't have when I originally disclosed this in the report from the borrower / owner? I don't even think I have a ladder tall enough and even if I did, why would I want to walk on a damaged roof? Is this request acceptable?

Does anyone have any ideas of how much of this is mandatory and what should I say back to the AMC (who is in favor of the lender anyways) or state in the report for the lender that I don't have photos and it's an unreasonable request. I don't believe Fannie Mae would require us to do this. This is just a conventional refinance, not even FHA.

Please help me how to deal with this.

Thank you all!

JAM

. You disclosed what the owner told you and what you could visually observe. Tell lender if they want further photos they need to hire a professional contractor to climb on the roof, you can make report subject to an inspection with photos by a roof inspector.

 

[residentialguy]

I quit after my nephew took a tumble and ended up in the emergency room. He's 27 years younger than I am.

I would encourage him to stay off of roofs. It's risky even though your nephew is only 81 years old.

 

[Fritz in NY]

Hire a Roofer. We don't climb roof's, we estimate value. They are expanding the SOW again, some Skippy in the past did what they asked.

 

[KHS445]

Not sure of the date of your report, but if this damage was caused by the hurricane in September they may have more problems than water entering their bathroom. I would have some concerns regarding structural and/or insulation damage caused by the water infiltration and I would also be on the look out for mold. I am far from a mold expert by I do know in order to exist mold requires a steady supply of water/dampness and a leaking roof that allows water into the bathroom would do just that.

Collectively we are not home inspectors, contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC experts, roofers, etc. We do see enough of these sort of things that we tend to develop a sixth sense when something doesn't look or sound quite right. Rather than opining a position we simply need to state that something looks suspicious to us based on our limited expertise in a particular area and that we strongly recommend a knowledgeable and properly licensed individual or company be hired to make a determination, then include whatever assumptions and/or conditions you believe necessary.

Just remember everything you sign off increases your liability.

 

[J Grant]

OP-"To what point is it acceptable for them to make a request like this to me demanding pictures I don't have when I originally disclosed this in the report from the borrower / owner? I don't even think I have a ladder tall enough and even if I did, why would I want to walk on a damaged roof? Is this request acceptable?"

A POS AMC or client can make whatever egregious requests they want. It is up to the appraiser to tell them no, that it is unacceptable and why. I can't help but be frustrated at posts like this...,