Bath Wainscott In Report

[warren banks]

Seems to be a little debate in our office over this. What does this refer to?? I say the back of the shower/tub. ie ceramic tile, one piece, etc. My mentor thinks its what the tub is made of, porcelean, composite, etc...?????

 

[cj scillieri]

My interpretation is that the wainscot is what is on the walls of the tub/shower, not what the tub/shower is made of. I could be wrong but that's how I've defined it for a decade and nobody has ever told me differently. Hope this helps!

 

[DB]

I have always defined it as the 1/2 wall, outside the tub/shower area. Whether it is ceramic tile, plaster, or actual wainscotting ... sort of like what is below a chair rail ... that is what I was taught.... and I still do it that way.... has never been an issue ...

 

[Otis Key]

Agreement with CJ. It's the protective surrounding above the tub/shower. I indicate if it's fiberglass, ceramic tile, cultured marble, marlite, vinyl, plastic curtain or none with an * and then comment that it needs immediate repair and the report is subject to.

BTW - why is the URGENT?

 

[Edd Gillespie]

The appraisers here use the same defnition as CJ and Otis, but the builders and about everybody else use the definition that Doug uses. What I was told is that Fannie has her own definition. That Fannie has her own definition should come as no surprise.

Wainscoting started out as a Eurpoean wood wall covering from the floor to about 3 ft. It was originally intended as protection for the part of the wall that was subject to being hit, scraped and bumped and of course became decorative too.

Probably if you are wondering about this for an answer on the URAR, go with CJ and Otis. Builders tell me they call the shower/tub area a surround, but we as appraisers of SFR's are sort of stuck with Fannieisms.

So everybody in your office is right and wrong thanks to Fannie. I predict this won't be the only difference of opinion some of the preprinted language on the URAR will generate in your office. I guess we have Fannie to thank for so much to talk about. Geez, if it weren't for Fannie we might not even be confused. Fannie can call an apple an orange and appraisers everywhere will have to adjust the English language to accomodate the 800 # gorilla.

 

[xm39hnu]

I agree with Doug and the dictionary. Tub surround isn't wainscot.

 

[Dan Daniels]

First off, we could use a definition of "Urgent!"

Secondly, the dictionary and Doug are right on both counts: Spelling and definition. However, who would be so naive as to think someone at FNMA owns a dictionary?

 

[Robert Anderson]

wain·scot Pronunciation Key (wnskt, -skt, -skt)

1. A facing or paneling, usually of wood, applied to the walls of a room.

2. The lower part of an interior wall when finished in a material different from that of the upper part.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=wainscoting&db=*

 

[Edd Gillespie]

Originally posted by Dan Daniels@Aug 7 2005, 07:57 AM
First off, we could use a definition of "Urgent!"

Secondly, the dictionary and Doug are right on both counts: Spelling and definition. However, who would be so naive as to think someone at FNMA owns a dictionary?   

I heard they had one and the gorilla ate it and they mhave had to wing it ever since.

Um. With trepidation I ask, how many of your markets notice wainscoting in the bathroom as significant anyway? I mean this whole discussion begs the question I've been supressing. Who cares what the bathroom wainscoting is made of?

The Gorilla cares!

 

[CANative]

Who cares what the bathroom wainscoting is made of?

Not that I care about people's bathing habits, but I do care about being descriptive of the improvements. The bath surrounds (wainscotting) can speak to the quality of interior finishes, the degree of updating in older houses and possibly flag potential maintenace or other problems in a room with lots of water in it.

I define bath "wainscotting" as the surrounds. Fiberglass shower stalls or tub/shower combos (which will last a long time but are kind of plain) Marlite panels which tend to fall apart and attract fungus and mold, Tile for the decking on tubs and the 1/2 wall Dough described or tile shower stalls. Marble, slate and other high end materials for high end houses or overimprovements in low end houses, What about old fashioned Claw Tubs with no surrounds sitting on carpeted floors with plain drywall instead of greenboard, etc.?

IMO, the bathroom(s) can have a signficant emotion appeal, positive or negative, in the buying decision.