FHA Attic Access

[AnonApprsr]

I would recommend that you go to the Building Department in the town where the house is located. When they find out the present owner (Illegally) sealed the attic access, they will do the "dirty work" for you and make sure the accesss is unsealed.

This is a stupid idea, and I highly recommend that you do NOT do this.

 

[Hondo]

According to HUD the appraiser is to note the inaccessability in the report.

http://www.HUD.gov/utilities/print/print2.cfm?page=80$^@http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehud%2Egov%2Foffices%2Fhsg%2Fsfh%2Fref%2Fsfhp1%2D24%2Ecfm&portnum=80

Chapter 1
Appraisal & Property Requirements
Page 1-24

1: Roofs: The covering must prevent moisture from entering and provide reasonable future utility, durability and economy of maintenance. The appraiser must visually examine the roof to determine whether deficiencies present a health and safety hazard or do not allow for reasonable future utility. (4905.1 REV-1, 2-12.)

2: Attics:
A. It is the homeowner/seller�s responsibility to provide clear access to these areas. FHA appraisers are required to observe the attic area.
B. Inspection:The attic must be examined whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. At a minimum, the appraiser must enter head and shoulders into the attic.
C. When there is no safe access to the attic the appraiser is to note the inaccessibility in the appraisal report.

 

[mick34d]

Yep pretty simple. Just note it in the report.

 

[Lee Lansford]

... Nothing in that writing tells me that, if there is no attic access, an appraiser should require the homeowner to cut out their ceiling so the appraiser can inspect.

The apppraiser would not "require the homeowner to cut out their ceiling".

But, if the homeowner wants the loan, the homeowner may elect to do just that!

 

[residentialguy]

The report should have been CB4'd subject to that inspection. If someone wants to require them to crack it open that is their call, I am only following FHA/HUD guidelines. If they wish to waive it that is fine as well.

Remember, in every case and in every instant it is the golden rule: Those with the gold make the rules. It does not matter if to you it is unreasonable, it is what it is. Now what you have on your hands is not only an error on the report but based on what has been posted by others in your local market, a potential code violation. And remember you are not the bad guy here. It is a requirement in order to qualify through FHA/HUD. If the owner doesn't want to do it than they must not really want the loan.

Is this how you treat peeling paint on a pre-78?

 

[Scott R Marshall]

Is this how you treat peeling paint on a pre-78?

No, that would be CB3, "subject to" repair not CB4 "subject to" inspection. My understanding is that even in cases of homes post 1978, peeling paint on otherwise untreated wood surfaces is a required FHA/HUD repair so, although I guess in principal one could call for an inspection to verify whether or not the paint is lead-based on older homes, as it still needs to be repaired, this is a moot point.

 

[residentialguy]

Now...what box would you check if they had both?

 

[Scott R Marshall]

Perhaps both?? One is an HC and the other is an EA so I do not necessaily see a conflict in checking both with appropriate explantion why this was done.

 

[residentialguy]

What bothers me about CB4 is the "subject to the following required inspection". I wish they hadn't included that because that is still calling for an inspection, regardless of the lender coming back with "don't worry about it"

How do you get around that?

 

[residentialguy]

No, that would be CB3, "subject to" repair not CB4 "subject to" inspection. My understanding is that even in cases of homes post 1978, peeling paint on otherwise untreated wood surfaces is a required FHA/HUD repair so, although I guess in principal one could call for an inspection to verify whether or not the paint is lead-based on older homes, as it still needs to be repaired, this is a moot point.

Many times it is paint on paint and the top layer is peeling, but the wood is still treated.

It also makes a difference on other items, like a shed, fence, etc. I wouldn't call for repair of a post 78 peeling fence...I would on pre-78