Cluttered Rooms

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Years ago I was taught to appraise the property as if vacant. Also to remember almost every property can be cleaned up and that there is almost always a buyer for every property if the price is right.

Living conditions are very subjective. Back in the day, I more than once told a home owner to move out in order to sell the house. On a number of occasions I would have them paint and re-carpet so that the house would sell. Those not willing to do so found another agent.

 

[Alpine]

Just a thought. . .would you address a safety issue in an FHA appraisal if boxes and clutter prevented access to exterior doors or windows? Again. . .not just stuff on the floor you have to walk around, but significant boxes and items that could not easily be moved in the event of a fire. etc.

I don't feel that how people live in a home necessarily qualifies as a "safety" issue, as long as their lifestyle and mess do not negatively impact the materials they touch or space they occupy. As recommended, you should take pictures of that type of clutter/hoarding, and you can comment on the blockage if you want, but that has no impact on condition or structural safety, anymore than razor blades lying around on the floor would (been there, seen that). Obviously disclaimers regarding condition/repairs which you cannot observe under/behind their hoards apply.

(By mentioning the following, I am not comparing your earnest, relevant inquiry to the appraiser referenced.)

I know an apparatchik appraiser who once observed a borrower's table saw sitting under a carport. The blade was raised, so the appraiser deemed it a "health and safety" item. I believe my mental health and safety were impaired by the appraiser's mindset...

 

[Mile High Trout]

3denver3;

You've just got a storage nightmare, not a mismanagement or hoarder deal going on.

If the rear door is blocked, that's a problem, because homes usually need two doors, for fire emergency egress. FHA also requires every conforming bedroom to have at least one working window, in case of fire emergency.

I think that's how it works, but I'm not sure.

Underwriter is just looking for something to do.

When you see all the junk, be straightforward in your questioning. What are your plans for all this stuff. How long has it been stored here. Oh you've had a relative pass? Where is all this stuff going, and when?

You follow with; the only reason I ask, is because I like to take a picture of every single room, and the lender is probably going to ask me some questions. If I could just tell them this is a temporary condition, I'm pretty sure it won't be a big deal to the lender. yada yada yada.

If you've got an actual hoarder though, you can get personal, lend a hand and some advice, or just stay impersonal, photograph, and answer the lenders questions as 'probably the egress is insufficient, given the extreme clutter.'

If the room is so full of clutter, you can't even go in there, and it's not blocking the required 2nd exit door, thats like a no brainer. It does not impede egress, because there is no ingress to the room anyways. HA!

 

[Pat Butler]

I ignore personal property hoarding from a valuation standpoint. But from a liability standpoint, I'd be sure to mention some sort of massive hoarding problem because I don't want to be at the pointy end of a lawsuit from a lender after a house burns down.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that a lender won't try to hold you liable for not letting them know of some sort of significant property issue that could have taken a few minutes to explain