Does VA require attic inspection

[Fargo1]

I have done VA loans for several years and I've never been aware of an attic inspection requirement for VA. I know have a lender saying they are required. Is she confusing FHA requirements or have I been missing a VA requirement.

 

[Don Clark]

I have done VA loans for several years and I've never been aware of an attic inspection requirement for VA. I know have a lender saying they are required. Is she confusing FHA requirements or have I been missing a VA requirement.

Not in the Roanoke RLC Appraisers Guide. Here is all it says about such areas:

I auggest you ask them for a referrence/source.

Ventilation​

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: There must be sufficient natural ventilation in areas such as attics and crawl spaces to
minimize the effects of excess heat and moisture.
Crawl Space: The crawl space must have adequate access, be properly vented and clear of all​

debris. Excessive dampness or ponding of water must be corrected.



I

 

[Lee Lansford]

No...at least in the St. Paul Region. But, there are some little details regarding this (such as, if there are stairs to the attic, you should access).

This matter was covered in a recent newsletter which you should have received from the St. Paul center.

 

[Fargo1]

No...at least in the St. Paul Region. But, there are some little details regarding this (such as, if there are stairs to the attic, you should access).

This matter was covered in a recent newsletter which you should have received from the St. Paul center.

Thanks guys, thats what I though. I am in the St Paul Region so we are on the same page. Somehow I never seem to get those VA newsletters.

 

[Fargo1]

I've been communicating with the underwriter and she said the attic inspection came from her VA training course. So it appears to be one of those things some instructor is telling the underwriters thats not actually accurate. Funny how often that happens with VA/FHA.

It does sound like this stemmed from the fact I forgot to make a comment that property meets VA MPR. So I think I can make the MPR comment and everyone will be happy. Thanks again.

 

[Dilar]

VA Lenders Handbook Chapter 11 Section 9 a:
[FONT=&quot]Note[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: Fee appraisers are required to view, but not enter, any accessible crawl space and/or attic areas of the home and report any significant defective conditions observed.[/FONT]

 

[JSmith43]

VA Lenders Handbook Chapter 11 Section 9 a:
[FONT=&quot]Note[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: Fee appraisers are required to view, but not enter, any accessible crawl space and/or attic areas of the home and report any significant defective conditions observed.[/FONT]

I like that language better than the "at least head & shoulders" FHA version. For one thing, the key word is accessible, which takes away the uncertainty. Of course, taking a photo of the scuttle, with a tape measure in the photo as a reference to document scuttle size & a photo of the appraiser's back & shoulders, with a tape measure documenting approximate width would still be prudent:laugh:

Then again, what isn't accessible? The fire department usually carries with it the jaws of life to traffic accidents. Why shouldn't an appraiser have a plunge cutting saw along?

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks guys, thats what I though. I am in the St Paul Region so we are on the same page. Somehow I never seem to get those VA newsletters.

http://www.benefits.VA.gov/stpaul/regional-loan-center.asp
SEE APPRAISER RESOURCES >>
http://benefits.VA.gov/homeloans/appraiser.asp

 

[Hola27]

i had an AMC require attic photos of each attic truss along with a measurement of the insulation between each truss. They also requested temperature readings of the attic and photos of any potential rodent droppings. AMC also wanted estimates if the solar flares would have impact on value.
sorry

 

[JSmith43]

AMC also wanted estimates if the solar flares would have impact on value.

Did they specify which solar flares & at what point in time?

That sounds like what a hacker of an AMC web site might do to appraisers. If it mentioned the effect on value from GMO or contrails, the hacker might be a forum poster