FHA Inspections

[Caitlyn Stuart]

Can someone tell me the difference between an FHA inspection versus a conventional inspection? Do receptacles, water pressure, etc. need to be tested?

What are the proper forms to use in an FHA report?

Does anyone have a copy of an FHA report they would be willing to share with me?

What is the fee difference between FHA and conventional?

 

[Hamlet]

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ref/chap1.cfm

http://www.georgiaappraiser.com/

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/appr/aprval.pdf

http://www.revmag.com/summer2008/FHA/index.html

Here are a few links that might help you.

 

[ghrousseau]

Can someone tell me the difference between an FHA inspection versus a conventional inspection? Do receptacles, water pressure, etc. need to be tested?

What are the proper forms to use in an FHA report?

Does anyone have a copy of an FHA report they would be willing to share with me?

What is the fee difference between FHA and conventional?

Caitlyn,

I would start by reading all of the "Stickys" at the top of the page and then ask specific questions if you have them. The FHA appraisal guidebook and several of the mortgagee letters address your questions including the level of inspection. I would also recommend taking an FHA appraisal course to get a good overview of the process including the inspection. I audit, review, and insure FHA loans on a delegated basis for a lender and I am still learning new things every day. You can never have too much FHA knowledge. Fees depend on your market. We have appraisers on our multi-state panel who charge $300 to $600. I guess it depends on your local market, but most appraisers charge a higher fee than conventional due to the SOW.

 

[Metamorphic]

Get a FHA course under your belt first.

After that, read the posts here.

Then, figure out what its worth to you to drag a ladder around on your inspections, turn a half hour inspection into an hour or more, and tack half a page of NON-boiler plate reporting onto your report.

 

[Caitlyn Stuart]

Ladder?

Thanx for the good advice.

Ladder? No appraiser that I know carries a ladder? Is a physical exterior roof inspection a requirement?

 

[RSW]

You will need to get up in the attic. That's what the ladder is for. Take the advice of the prior posters here. You can also do a search on the FHA threads and find some really good information. Good luck!

 

[Confident Rabbit]

FHA requires a "head and shoulders" inspection of the attic space, among other things. I've used a Telesteps ladder for years; it'll fit in a Smart Fortwo if you've got one!

 

[Mike Boyd]

Thanx for the good advice.

Ladder? No appraiser that I know carries a ladder? Is a physical exterior roof inspection a requirement?

Head and shoulders into the attic. Take a photo. Also, you might need a tarp or blacket so you can get down on the ground for a similar crawl space inspection. Among other things, I check for leaks under sinks, see if the water gets hot, check the furnace and AC to see if it's operational, flush all toilets to make sure they work, take exterior photos so that you can provide evidence of drainage away from the foundation. There are many other things to look for and report on.

 

[TC]

You might want to take an FHA class to get up to speed. There are a million ways to screw up by not knowing the basics.

The Pgh AI chapter is teaching a class in December.

TC

 

[Caitlyn Stuart]

FHA Inspection

Is it common to let the h/o know in advance that you will be flushing commodes, testing water pressure, accessing crawl spaces, taking pics throughout, etc.?

I always give the "heads up" to the h/o that the lender requires interior photos. But I don't typically have them turn the furnace and a/c on, nor do I flush commodes or turn on faucets. Should I - on a conventional loan?

I have taken several classes on FHA in the past. Don't remember any of the above being discussed.