Attic Inspection Requirements

[Cornelius]

I was taught that every home I appraise needs at least a head and shoulders inspection of the attic and crawl space, not just FHA's. Is this not correct?

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Just attach your camera to a long monopod, along with an old bottle of Head and Shoulders shampoo. Stick it up there, or down there, and get your shots.

 

[Michigan CG]

I was taught that every home I appraise needs at least a head and shoulders inspection of the attic and crawl space, not just FHA's. Is this not correct?

Not correct.

That would be the short answer, but the answer to the question would be why would you be taught that? Your mentor told you that base on.......what?

If you are doing form work with preprinted SOW then you need to abide by that SOW that you are signing. The 1004 report does not have an inspection of the attic in the SOW or certifications.

Advise your mentor that he owes you a beer for every attic you inspected that was not needed and then pay for your alcohol dependency treatments.

 

[Cornelius]

Not correct.

That would be the short answer, but the answer to the question would be why would you be taught that? Your mentor told you that base on.......what?

If you are doing form work with preprinted SOW then you need to abide by that SOW that you are signing. The 1004 report does not have an inspection of the attic in the SOW or certifications.

Advise your mentor that he owes you a beer for every attic you inspected that was not needed and then pay for your alcohol dependency treatments.

Thanks for your opinion. But I do trust my teacher. He had over thirty years experience from a variety of appraisal fields, commercial, residential, golf course, BLM, etc. It may not be truly required but it only takes about two minutes of extra effort and makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And who knows I may even discover a problem with the roof or crawl I would have otherwise missed which could save me in the future. A stitch in time so to speak. Most of the appraisers I talk to say they do not do head and shoulders inspections of attics and crawls though, unless for FHA. Just interesting to get a consensus on what most do.

 

[Cornelius]

Not correct.

That would be the short answer, but the answer to the question would be why would you be taught that? Your mentor told you that base on.......what?

If you are doing form work with preprinted SOW then you need to abide by that SOW that you are signing. The 1004 report does not have an inspection of the attic in the SOW or certifications.




You are right about the form scope of work. It just says "Complete visual inspection of interior and exterior of property". I suppose one could assume the attic and crawl could fall into that catagory. I would assume a Lawyer might assume that if I were on the witness stand.

Question: Did you inspect the attic and crawl space of the property?
Awnser: No
Question: Is it not part of the interior or exterior of the property?
Awnser: Uh! ???? :Eyecrazy:


I personally think it falls into this catagory and it only takes literally two minutes to open the crawl and shoot a photo and or pull down the attic stair and shoot a photo. Yes scuttles are a little more difficult. But two extra minutes.

 

[Scott R Marshall]

You are right about the form scope of work. It just says "Complete visual inspection of interior and exterior of property". I suppose one could assume the attic and crawl could fall into that catagory. I would assume a Lawyer might assume that if I were on the witness stand.

Question: Did you inspect the attic and crawl space of the property?
Awnser: No
Question: Is it not part of the interior or exterior of the property?
Awnser: Uh! ???? :Eyecrazy:


I personally think it falls into this catagory and it only takes literally two minutes to open the crawl and shoot a photo and or pull down the attic stair and shoot a photo. Yes scuttles are a little more difficult. But two extra minutes.

There's no "Uh!". The term inspection refers to items which were readily observable to the appraiser on the date of inspection. On my reports I make mention of that. It does not include looking under the beds, pushing clothing out of the way so I can adequately observe the entirety of the closet, looking in the cabinets and looking in the attic or crawlspace, unless these items are pre-negotiated by my client as part of the scope of work.

 

[JTip]

Thanks to RSW and his wise words, I chose not to risk my life inspecting this attic. Reviewing my file (inspected over a month ago) I noted the ceiling was 15' with a concrete floor. No thanks.

Good news is that the buyer did get a home inspection and I will review the results of the attic inspection, noting it in my report.

I love this forum for throwing around ideas and situations. Thanks again for all the comments.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

not just FHA's. Is this not correct?

FHA is the only one that requires it. It certainly doesn't hurt to do that on all property and you are looking for the amount of insulation, leaks, pests, broken supports or sawn rafters, any wiring "issues", and silver paint means the rafters have been on fire and have been sealed over to reduce the odor...

 

[Delta85]

I know some appraisers may disagree, but I don't bring ladders to inspection. The OP is a good example. Attic locations and ceiling heights can very from property to property and I do not want to be expected to have ladders for all occassions. I am not a contractor nor do I drive a contractors truck with several different ladder types attached to the truck. I also don't want the liability of carrying a ladder through someones home and potentially chipping a wall or knocking grandmas portrait off the wall.

As I see it access is to be provided to the appraiser. This includes access to any scuttle attic areas. It's their home, they should have proper and safe access equipment.

I discuss this with the borrower or realtor when I schedule the appointment to give them a heads up and they have enough time to make sure there is something safe for me to get a head and shoulders view. I also do not bring tools nor do I turn on utilities from any main source. I'm there to observe. That is all.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I will not climb ladders of more than 7'. Another fine reason not to do FHA appraisals...crippled or dead appraisers falling off ladders.