Bare Concrete- Not Stained

[Peter LeQuire]

I think you are correct that the market acceptance of a polished concrete floor needs to be evaluated- one of the most high-end, modern-designed homes I did, In Napa County (wine country) had the polished concrete as the majority of its flooring.
But I would consider that a market adjustment consideration and not a MPR consideration, no?

You're correct. That said, I would think that (1) there are precious few FHA loans made on high-end, modern houses, and, (2) since most FHA transactions test the upper limit of value (at least in my experience, of late) whether you murder the transaction by a market consideration adjustment or by a requirement to add an "acceptable" floor covering, the deal is still dead (or at least a candidate for renegotiation).

 

[hastalavista]

You're correct. That said, I would think that (1) there are precious few FHA loans made on high-end, modern houses, and, (2) since most FHA transactions test the upper limit of value (at least in my experience, of late) whether you murder the transaction by a market consideration adjustment or by a requirement to add an "acceptable" floor covering, the deal is still dead (or at least a candidate for renegotiation).

Being the ecologically sensitive person I am , I note that concrete flooring is a way for older, existing homes (and entry-level priced homes) to do their fair share of responsibly managing resources and become Eco-friendly.
http://greenhomeguide.com/askapro/q...s-the-best-way-to-finish-itstain-paint-polish

 

[Peter LeQuire]

Interesting. As an observation (unsupported by research other than a general knowledge of how houses are built roun' 'chere: while there may be some "responsibly managing resources" in not replacing carpet, wood (or other) floor coverings laid on concrete slabs, I doubt many older house's slabs are insulated (and not all are moisture-proofed, either). And while polishing the concrete may be a way to save materials (mostly petroleum-based man-made fibers) the cost of stripping, staining, polishing and sealing concrete as a retrofit probably exceeds the costs of floor coverings in modestly priced housing, particularly if a heat source has to be installed and then covered with concrete, then finished.

This ecological responsibility gig gets pretty expensive, and while it may save some finite resources (such as petroleum, for example) it costs more in other, equally finite resources (such as labor). It may be that most environmentally sound way of replacing his floor covering would be for Bubba to borrow his friend's pickup and trailer, drive to Dalton to buy his carpet at the mill, and pay his sister-in-law's ex-husband's second cousin, who used to install carpet for Lowe's, with a weekend cabin rental - fishing boat included - on Norris Lake.

 

[RSW]

It's driven down the cost of flooring for sure. That's why I would use it. I don't buy the hysterics over the stuff. It can be sealed if necessary.


polyurethane will seal it.

You would put polyurethane over a floating floor? I would give if 6 months or less to start cracking.

 

[RSW]

As for the concrete floor, it is a cosmetic issue and not a 3s issue. Just try to extract from the market the effect on the value for no floor coverings.

 

[Howard Klahr]

thanks for the info" this is what the Atlanta HOC said- short and sweet--
Bare wood sub-floor and bare concrete are not insurable. The concrete will need to have floor covering to comply with HUD/FHA.

Bare concrete is not polished, painted concrete. You misrepresented the situation to the HOC and therefore received incorrect information.

I think Atlanta HOC is in error.

See comment above

Is polished concrete not an acceptable floor?

Ever heard of terrazzo?

 

[CANative]

Floor coverings have never been an MPR. In certain circumstances they are an MPS requirement.

The HOC erred. Or at least the technical contractor erred.

 

[Person of Noninterest]

The last FHA Rep I talked to didn't have a clue either, tried to tell me there were no changes to FHA requirements between 2005 and now. I'm starting to think calling them is a waste of time. You are far more likely to get the information you need to form your own answer here on the forum.