FHA Attic Access

[scott1]

If there is no access.....there is no access.

 

[RSW]

In that case: Access has to be provided or the subject proprty will be rejected for the FHA program.

 

[scott1]

I totally disagree. I have inspected a multitude of row dwellings in the Philadelphia area. Many have scuttles and many do not. These are older 80+ homes. If the access is in existence I take a look. If is does not exist you can’t look and inspect the attic. I state it in the report that there is no access. I never had a problem. It’s not up to me to figure out underwriting, its there call. If it gets rejected, that is not my problem. I did my job.

If the access is blocked, that a different problem. Access is available however it was blocked by personal items of the owner’s. It MAY require an additional inspection. Also up to the underwriter. Not my problem

 

[RSW]

I totally disagree. I have inspected a multitude of row dwellings in the Philadelphia area. Many have scuttles and many do not. These are older 80+ homes. If the access is in existence I take a look. If is does not exist you can’t look and inspect the attic. I state it in the report that there is no access. I never had a problem. It’s not up to me to figure out underwriting, its there call. If it gets rejected, that is not my problem. I did my job.

If the access is blocked, that a different problem. Access is available however it was blocked by personal items of the owner’s. It MAY require an additional inspection. Also up to the underwriter. Not my problem

Sounds like you have been very lucky. There is a letter on this forum from HUD to an appraiser back in 2009 where he was sanctioned for not inspecting the attic.

 

[scott1]

Not lucky. I explain everything I do in the report. I know my work is above the standard. Not inspecting and not beinga able to inspect are two different things. You must inspect the attic, true. If there is no access to the attic the owner MUST provide access by chopping a hole in the ceiling to gain access, is very wrong. Destroy the property to gain access to the attic. Then deduct value due to the hole in the ceiling lacking appeal. I can agree that is has some functional utility issues due to the lack of access. That's it.

 

[scott1]

You may not have said "chop a hole in the ceiling" but I did read it in the thread somewhere.

Scott

 

[scott1]

i know that not all underwriters are cut from the same cloth. Some are more difficult where the world revolves around them.

 

[scott1]

Ahh Mr. Rex is the one who said cut a hole in the ceiling.....

 

[RSW]

Read this letter from HUD to an appraiser for not inspecting the attic.

 

[Couch Potato]

In that case: Access has to be provided or the subject proprty will be rejected for the FHA program.

Many properties don't qualify for FHA financing. I wonder why that is hard for some to understand. :new_all_coholic: