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Are cell phone towers allowed on subject site for FHA Appraisals.

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michaelwebbrealestate@gma

Freshman Member
Joined
May 25, 2022
Professional Status
Certified Residential Appraiser
State
California
I see guidance on power lines/poles/fall hazards in handbook. The cell tower is not a fall hazard to the subject structure, but a fall hazard to subject site. After setting appointment, borrower emailed me her last two FHA appraisals completed on last two refinances from 2021 and 2019. Both did not even mention the cell tower, cell tower shed/building on site or the second electrical meter, and panel, installed on side of subject main structure. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
Call the direct endorsement underwriter and ask.

Regardless, the cell tower that is close to a house is generally going to have a externality associated with it - whether the income offsets that obsolescence in the case of a tower being on the property, I cannot say. Years ago I ran into one where there was a police repeater tower on the subject and the site next door had a cell tower, owned by the property owners brother in law and she gave permission to let him and ATT to build that close to her property line....it was a nightmare to appraise. The original site I valued 20_+ years ago has been carved up among several family members and the lady built a new house next to the cell tower....I couldn't imagine a worse site.
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Yes but contact your HOC for specifics. ")
 
Better start thinking about the income approach too. Towers pay pretty well.
 
Better start thinking about the income approach too. Towers pay pretty well.


Our Church has a tower. Funny thing is, they're renting the space from us, but they wrote and control the lease. Towers love to prey on churches, as they need money and are often poorly manged. Imagine owning an apartment building, and the tenants write their leases! I brought this up at a council meeting, and they said "thats just the way it is". The tower folk have been encroaching on the lease terms ever since, and the church finally had to hire a lawyer, who did very little.

Epilogue: If a tower wants a piece of your lot, YOU write the frikkin lease!
 
Call the direct endorsement underwriter and ask.

Regardless, the cell tower that is close to a house is generally going to have a externality associated with it - whether the income offsets that obsolescence in the case of a tower being on the property, I cannot say. Years ago I ran into one where there was a police repeater tower on the subject and the site next door had a cell tower, owned by the property owners brother in law and she gave permission to let him and ATT to build that close to her property line....it was a nightmare to appraise. The original site I valued 20_+ years ago has been carved up among several family members and the lady built a new house next to the cell tower....I couldn't imagine a worse site.
View attachment 63131
I think this one would rank right up there with the worst site. 85' from house to base of tower.

1654137510273.png
 
I see guidance on power lines/poles/fall hazards in handbook. The cell tower is not a fall hazard to the subject structure, but a fall hazard to subject site. After setting appointment, borrower emailed me her last two FHA appraisals completed on last two refinances from 2021 and 2019. Both did not even mention the cell tower, cell tower shed/building on site or the second electrical meter, and panel, installed on side of subject main structure. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
You said you see guidance in the handbook, so whatever the guidance says, then follow it in the report.

Great ( sarcasm ) the 2 prior appraisals did not mention it . Now you get to be the bad guy for telling the truth. Tell the truth anyway -disclose in the appraisal
 
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