• Welcome to AppraisersForum.com, the premier online  community for the discussion of real estate appraisal. Register a free account to be able to post and unlock additional forums and features.

Fall Zone

Status
Not open for further replies.

Donna Quixote

Member
Joined
May 23, 2008
Professional Status
Certified Residential Appraiser
State
Wisconsin
I have a subject that the neighboring property has a Ham Radio tower that is about 4 stories tall in their small city lot. Subject is definately in the fall zone of this skinny metal tower. Does this affect it's ability to be FHA? Called the Denver office and they were really rude and told me to look it up on the website. When I said the website is more than difficult to manuver, she told me to read the sections on easements.

Anyone got an answer for this one? It is a substantial but skinny tower and if it caused damage I am thinking that the owner of the tower's homeowner policy should handle it.

HELP!
 
If a tree falls?

If this is a privately owned tower, which it appears from your description it is, than, in my opinion, it would not be an FHA issue. Substitute, for example, a large tree. Subject property would still be in a fall zone, but this would not be an FHA issue either. If that tree fell on the subject home, insurance, either the owners or neighbors, would cover the damage.

Just my $0.02 worth.

And I can agree with your experience with an HOC. You can call ten times for the same question and would probably get ten different answers.
 
I'd be interested in finding out if the "tower" was even legal in the city. :shrug:

Oh, wait, you're in Wisconsin, you don't have zoning laws:new_silly:.

Just kidding, my Daughter's family is outside of Luck, WI. Talk about boon docks...
 
My understanding is the rule is in regards to high tension towers but give the Santa Ana office a call - they've always been great to work with. (800) 225-5342.
 
I had to call on power towers once, I was told that as long as the tower was in the easement that it was not an issue. They basically assume they are designed to fall within that easement.
 
APPENDIX D: VALUATION PROTOCOL

Site Hazards And Nuisances
The appraiser must note and comment on all hazards and nuisances affecting the subject property that may endanger the health and safety of the occupants and/or the structural integrity or marketability of the property, including: subsidence, operating and abandoned oil and gas wells, abandoned wells, slush pits, heavy traffic, airport noise and hazards, runway clear zones/clear zones, proximity to high pressure gas, liquid petroleum pipelines or other volatile and explosive products, residential structures located within the fall distance of a high-voltage transmission line, radio/TV transmission tower, etc., excessive hazard from smoke, fumes, odors, and stationary storage tanks containing flammable or explosive material.

My Bold

from 4150.2
 
Last edited:
On transmission towers there is supposed to be an identifier (a tag of some sort) that will allow the utility to tell you the engineered fall distance, which isn't typically the length of the tower pivoting 90 degrees at the base.

Does anyone know if radio towers have such identifiers? I bet most do.
 
....an appraiser's job is adequate description of "what's there".......and I doubt much information is available of similiar "towering" comps, so you cannot quantify any MEASUREABLE influence on value, but you sure can adequately express the situation with the caution or description for the Underwriter's review and determination..........afterall an opinion of effect on value(if any....) is different from verifiable information or facts about the same circumstances.........best to all...rs
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Find a Real Estate Appraiser - Enter Zip Code

Copyright © 2000-, AppraisersForum.com, All Rights Reserved
AppraisersForum.com is proudly hosted by the folks at
AppraiserSites.com
Back
Top