FHA Attic and crawl spaces

[Amy Perkins]

The requirement to submit photographs of attics and crawlspaces was officially removed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on June 27, 2025, via Mortgagee Letter 2025-18 ("Rescission of Outdated and Costly FHA Appraisal Protocols").
The change took effect at the end of June 2025 as part of an initiative to streamline appraisal guidelines and align FHA requirements more closely with standard industry practices.

 

[OSU Beavers]

Does this include the crawlspace photo for manufactured homes?

 

[NJ Valuator]

FHA removed the requirement to photograph the attic and crawlspace; it did not eliminate the requirement to visually observe those areas when safely accessible.

Also, a client may still require these photographs under its own assignment instructions.

 

[sputnam]

You're at the property anyway. If you are doing what you are supposed to do, you look into the crawlspace and the attice (if accessible), the camera is in your pocket.... just take a picture. Use it in your report or don't.... but keep it in your work file.

It always amazes me how much mental effort and creativity appraisers seem to put into avoid doing things that take seconds and cost nothing.

 

[Tom4value]

You can take a photo of the crawl space after you measure out 18 inches of clearance ……you do do that, right?

 

[Tom4value]

You're at the property anyway. If you are doing what you are supposed to do, you look into the crawlspace and the attice (if accessible), the camera is in your pocket.... just take a picture. Use it in your report or don't.... but keep it in your work file.

It always amazes me how much mental effort and creativity appraisers seem to put into avoid doing things that take seconds and cost nothing.

Funny, I was today years old when I found out that photos are no longer required. However, I agree with that. If you are going to take the time to go in a stranger’s closet, move their lingerie and open 1’x2’ panel, get covered in insulation and mouse droppings to visually inspect the attic, at least take a photo. I put it in the report so I don’t have any chance of being called to go back out!

 

[NC Appraising]

You're at the property anyway. If you are doing what you are supposed to do, you look into the crawlspace and the attice (if accessible), the camera is in your pocket.... just take a picture. Use it in your report or don't.... but keep it in your work file.

It always amazes me how much mental effort and creativity appraisers seem to put into avoid doing things that take seconds and cost nothing.

That's because their not doing it....

The entire attic and crawl space is supposed to be observed...not just opening the door and saying...looks good to me.

How many appraisers actually put their arses in the actual crawl space?

But...can't leave HUD out stupid revision. Makes my head spin....

 

[Tom4value]

That's because their not doing it....

The entire attic and crawl space is supposed to be observed...not just opening the door and saying...looks good to me.

How many appraisers actually put their arses in the actual crawl space?

But...can't leave HUD out stupid revision. Makes my head spin....

Oh, now hold on. Until recently, they were fine with the term, “head and shoulders”. That is definitely, “looks good to me”. I physically go up in walk up attics and dropstair attics but no way this old coot is going through a 1’x2’ opening and walk around an attic with a 2 foot clearance. No one expects me to.

 

[NC Appraising]

Oh, now hold on. Until recently, they were fine with the term, “head and shoulders”. That is definitely, “looks good to me”. I physically go up in walk up attics and dropstair attics but no way this old coot is going through a 1’x2’ opening and walk around an attic with a 2 foot clearance. No one expects me to.

Love ya....but even the heads and shoulders was taken out of context...abused.... Heads and shoulders was removed a long time ago.

Don't have time to look it up, ....as i recall from memory but that was only a minimal when a full observation could not be made.


Appraisers just ran with it or read it how they wanted to read it...

 

[Tom4value]

Love ya....but even the heads and shoulders was taken out of context...abused.... Heads and shoulders was removed a long time ago.

Don't have time to look it up, ....as i recall from memory but that was only a minimal when a full observation could not be made.


Appraisers just ran with it or read it how they wanted to read it...

We are on the same page.