Fencing

[Julia Young]

While I am on a roll with HUD requirements. I always noted VC-11, safety/hazard factors, if a fence inside a property presented a safety hazard. The fences in two cases were falling over into the property and presented a clear safety issue if they were to fall on a child. I have had serious discussions on this matter requiring their removal. I didn't require replacement of the fence as it wasn't necessary to have a fence except in one case where removal exposed a swimming pool and if removed, although it was falling, the pool presented an attractive nuisance.(also a matter not covered) Now I am reviewing the handbook explanations for VC11 and it specifically eliminates fencing for this section and anything outside the house proper. Anyone have views on this.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

A falling fence is a safety hazard. A fence can fall on a child as easily as tehy can be crushed by a garage door. What if the neighbors have rott's and just weren't out when you did the inspection? I would require repairs, but then again, I do few FHA appraisals because of such requests.

 

[Farm Gal]

I have called for repair or removal regularly in such cases.... Amazing how many are out there like that!

Of course soo many realtors don't even let me get on-stie if it is a FHA... amazing that!

Lee Ann

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

I would call for the repair or removal of a fence like that. Of course, I don't get very many FHA orders either due to the Realtors and LOs that know that my eyes are actually open when I'm there.

Take pictures, include them in the report, put it on the VC and leave the final decision up to the Underwriter. I believe the final call is theirs as they can waive certain repair items.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Ah, a recurring theme. You ask for repairs, you no get FHA orders.

 

[larryhaskell]

Julia

In Appendix D: Comprehensive Valuation Package Protocol, it states the appraiser is not required to observe those items including fencing but it doesn't preclude you from doing so. Anticipate what would happen if you don't mention the fence. Think a lawyer would have a problem in court if someone got hurt. I would put it in the VC sheet and let the underwriter deal with the issue.

Good luck

 

[Farm Gal]

Forgot to mention: my decision to include fence/VC items dangerous to potential occupants and neighborhood children was as per conversation with Tech Support. I was asking if it should be placed under VC 11-g and they said YES: falling down trees come under same heading, and those aren't in any way structural!

So sayeth HUD, on that call anyway :roll:

 

[Julia Young]

Thanks for the input on fencing.
I empathize with those who lose orders because they refuse to look the other way. I lost a major account because a real estate agent did not want to require a cover on an open storm drain located within the property lines. The drain opened into an easement that ran the entire depth of the property emptying into a street drain which did have a regular low opening with grate, no other outlet. The property drain was large enough to swallow up a large child or animal. The loan officer didn't want to lose the agency business and let the agent get by with it. The agent said I would never again work with him and hung up on me after telling me a code inspector said it was okay and would speak to me about it. I told him to have the inspector put it in writing and fax it to me. You know that never happened but I didn't get any more business from this account either. They "showed" me who was in charge of course but there are no regrets like there would have been if a child drowned in that place.

 

[brunge]

It sounds like some of you work in fiercely competitive markets. My market is not quite so tough with regards to repercussions from insisting on repair requirements.

I think there is a fine line in requiring unnecessary repairs and those that are necessary, however, if safety is concern, I would never overlook a repair requirement. Period...

I pity the real estate agent or loan officer that would expect you to.

 

[Julia Young]

Increasingly, there is pressure to "make" the price while overlooking damage. I have had lenders blatantly tell me, in my community, if you can't make the price, don't even bother, they don't want to talk to you. This is the rule rather than the exception. I believe it is worse in poorer cities. I regularly lose business because I will not overlook things. I don't consider myself super picky. In FHA appraisals, there is pressure on all sides. We are definitely in a originator's/agents market. I am seeing foreclosure fallout now from lenders, and their pocket appraisers, pushing the ticket.