Attic inspection

[Greg Parker]

I know we have gone through this before, so apologies in advance.

My photos in a report for the attic are for four angles if the house is dormered, two if it is a straight through type attic (Stick your head up and see look left/right)

After stating no signs of interior leaking, or any other visual issue I may come across (just attic here), I state "The subject property meets minimum FHA/HUD reposting requirements"

Do I need to individually state Attic, Basement, Crawl, etc? I thought the blanket statement stating "subject property", not individual pieces was sufficient after descriptions of each area.

 

[RSW]

I always put this comment in:

A head and shoulders inspection was completed on the subject's attic and crawlspace.

It just keeps the stips away.

 

[444nutman]

I take a photo of me holding up a newspaper in the attic that has the same date as the inspection. I also bring a witness and a notary who notarizes a note that states I was in the attic. I scan the notarized note within the report.
I also include photos of the attic.

Some clients require you state you inspected the attic. FHA doesn't require such verbage but requires you to make the inspection. It used to be enough to check the as-is box on FHA appraisal which signified the subject has met FHA guidelines.
Now I have to explain to the owner why I am taking a photo of running water and a flushing toilet.

 

[JTip]

Remember, you do NOT have to provide a photo of the attic unless stated in the assignment conditions. You have to inspect it, not provide a photo in the report. Although I do keep photos in my workfile.

"Attic – Enter the attic and observe the interior roofing for insulation, deficient materials, leaks or readily observable evidence of significant water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. If any of these deficiencies exist, condition the appraisal on their repair and prepare the appraisal “subject to repairs” and/or “subject to inspection”.
The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of the scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry." No mention of photo documentation........

RSW's comment is what you need.

 

[Greg Parker]

Remember, you do NOT have to provide a photo of the attic unless stated in the assignment conditions. You have to inspect it, not provide a photo in the report. Although I do keep photos in my workfile.

"Attic – Enter the attic and observe the interior roofing for insulation, deficient materials, leaks or readily observable evidence of significant water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. If any of these deficiencies exist, condition the appraisal on their repair and prepare the appraisal “subject to repairs” and/or “subject to inspection”.
The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of the scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry." No mention of photo documentation........

RSW's comment is what you need.

Thanks. I have not been saying that, I guess I hoped common sense would prevail with all the pics labelled attic. It will go in for the future.

 

[Smokey Bear]

I take a photo of me holding up a newspaper in the attic that has the same date as the inspection. I also bring a witness and a notary who notarizes a note that states I was in the attic. I scan the notarized note within the report.
I also include photos of the attic.

Don't forget to take a photo of the notary holding the newspaper in the attic.

 

[Restrain]

Conventional lending clients are also now requiring attic inspections and photos in the report.

 

[Jim Shoe]

I always put this comment in:

A head and shoulders inspection was completed on the subject's attic and crawlspace.

It just keeps the stips away.

Under the attic photo I write, "Head and Shoulders Attic Photo".
Most of the time they get the idea.

But yes, the words, "head and shoulders" seem to be the magic words they are looking for.

 

[CANative]

"The subject property meets HUD/FHA Minimum Property Requirements."

Anything else is a client overlay and how you deal with it is between you and the client.

 

[Lloyd Bonafide]

Conventional lending clients are also now requiring attic inspections and photos in the report.

For conventional I have not heard of that, (yet).

I have done FHA appraisals for maybe 9 or 10 different lenders in the past year, and none require attic photos, (yet). But I think all want a comment about the attic.