Confirm That Utilities Are "on And Working"

[Tim The Enchanter]

Appear to be working sounds good.
I state (for the client that wants it) that utilities are on and mechanical items functional per the owner (or agent).

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

Actually, the problem is with what many have said on this Forum before. Any good lawyer can get around most any "disclosures" we put in our report at the request of any disgruntled new homeowner. Your broken sewer line story is a perfect example.
The day that FHA required us to turn on the dishwasher (and other appliances) and state it was "working" was the day I stopped appraising FHA.
My paltry fee does not cover that much liability.
Good post, OP !!

Jeepers, thanks! It's a relief to find someone speaking the same language! I usually feel ostracized when I point out things like this.

 

[Riick]

If you haven't been putting CYA statements in your reports for things like pluming, heating & electrical systems, you've been walking around naked. Cover up!

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

The day that FHA required us to turn on the dishwasher (and other appliances) and state it was "working" was the day I stopped appraising FHA.
My paltry fee does not cover that much liability.
Good post, OP !![/QUOTE]


Jeepers, thanks! It's a relief to find someone speaking the same language! I usually feel ostracized when I point out things like this.

You may be overthinking this: if you flip a light switch and the light comes on, power is on and working. Take a picture and move on. Turn a sink on. Water comes out its on and working. Take a picture. Beyond those observation my liability is limited to those provable observations. The rest of the house? Who knows. They can get an inspector.

 

[Deleted member 77547]

I don't use the term "working." I use the term "functioning." Followed by the disclaimer. I know its nuanced and a false sense of security, but "working" implies (to me) based on definition that the whole system is working. Functioning is just that...they function....flip the switch the light turns on. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes...might be held together by duct tape, but it functions.

Websters:
Working: to function or operate according to plan or design
Functioning: Fulfil the purpose or task.

 

[Tom Woolford]

What if you hear, "But, Mr. Appraiser, I just bought my house and you said in your report that the utilities were working and I found out the sewer line is cracked and there's sewage pooling in my yard and it's going to cost $15,000 to repair"?

I didn't say the utilities were functional. I said the water and electric were on and working. Show me where I said anything about sewer?

 

[glenn walker]

The day that FHA required us to turn on the dishwasher (and other appliances) and state it was "working" was the day I stopped appraising FHA.
My paltry fee does not cover that much liability.
Good post, OP !!

Jeepers, thanks! It's a relief to find someone speaking the same language! I usually feel ostracized when I point out things like this.[/QUOTE]
YOU are so behind the ball I started doing FHA in 1980 FHA ** GO READ FHA HUD BACK TO 1980 -- RETIRE YOU are done : LOL

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

I didn't say the utilities were functional. I said the water and electric were on and working. Show me where I said anything about sewer?

The sewage is part of the utilities. Just consider that you would not get public sewage service without paying for it. But you can use another example if you want.

When you say they are "working" you are saying they are functioning, IMO. "On", I take to mean the utilities are connected and ready to be used. "Working" implies performance,especially since it is used in addition to "on" so, it must mean something else, otherwise they would just ask you to state if they were "on".

But, if you are not saying they are functional, what are you saying when you state they are "working"? Try not to use "on" in your answer and I think you'll see the dilemma.

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

Jeepers, thanks! It's a relief to find someone speaking the same language! I usually feel ostracized when I point out things like this.

YOU are so behind the ball I started doing FHA in 1980 FHA ** GO READ FHA HUD BACK TO 1980 -- RETIRE YOU are done : LOL [/QUOTE]

I didn't actually make a comment about FHA but, I tried replying to it. I've been having trouble with starting to reply but then deciding not to. Then when I reply to another post (or try to), the old reply is still there. Is there a way to delete an incomplete or even completed reply?

 

[Tom Woolford]

The sewage is part of the utilities. Just consider that you would not get public sewage service without paying for it. But you can use another example if you want.

When you say they are "working" you are saying they are functioning, IMO. "On", I take to mean the utilities are connected and ready to be used. "Working" implies performance,especially since it is used in addition to "on" so, it must mean something else, otherwise they would just ask you to state if they were "on".

But, if you are not saying they are functional, what are you saying when you state they are "working"? Try not to use "on" in your answer and I think you'll see the dilemma.

Water runs and light bulbs glow. That All I originally said. The word utilities was never used no matter how many times you try to say it was. The only dilemma is the one you are trying to construct. Apparently you didn't notice that I was trying to satisfy the client without sticking my azz out. Make it as complicated as you like. I'll keep it simple.