FHA question

[DeKay Bayliffe]

I did an appraisal in a city that is 6 hours away last month. Nice home; but the homeowners were in the middle of tearing up the flooring and replacing it with new laminate wood floors along with the base trim. I checked the appropriate box on the 1004 and sent it off. The underwriters have now had the homeowner email me pictures of the completed flooring and trim; and want me to sign off without going back to re-inspect. Has anyone heard of this? Has anyone done this? Isn't this a violation?

 

[Mr Rex]

You're joking right? Can you say photo shop? If the guy was putting down flooring in your house, would you pay him before seeing it for yourself?

 

[Marcia Langley]

If the lender wants to waive the completion inspection, that liability is on them, not on you. You cannot do a report from photos. You either inspect or don't make a report.

The lender was nuts for sending you that far before the borrower had finished his updates. Now the borrower has to pay for that expensive completion report unless FHA is willing to waive it.

 

[RSW]

No way! I would never use the photos provided to do the compliance inspection. Especially for FHA. Charge them accordingly for the trip and have a good time.

 

[Frederick]

I did an appraisal in a city that is 6 hours away last month. Nice home; but the homeowners were in the middle of tearing up the flooring and replacing it with new laminate wood floors along with the base trim. I checked the appropriate box on the 1004 and sent it off. The underwriters have now had the homeowner email me pictures of the completed flooring and trim; and want me to sign off without going back to re-inspect. Has anyone heard of this? Has anyone done this? Isn't this a violation?

I agree with the rest. No way.

BTW, I'm curious. I have never been to Alaska. Is it typical in Alaska to travel so far and what type of fees does that command?

 

[DeKay Bayliffe]

It is common to travel within the state of Alaska. There are only a handful of cities/towns with appraisers and we all have to travel. The fees vary on plane tickets, rental cars, hotels, etc..The lender pays for everything. I just finished up an appraisal on Kodiak Island that cost $1800. Standard fee around town is 600-650 for a 1004. Things go up from there depending on where the property is located.

 

[DeKay Bayliffe]

By the way, I told the lenders there is no way I would do what they are asking. They agreed to fly me to Fairbanks this Saturday.

 

[RSW]

By the way, I told the lenders there is no way I would do what they are asking. They agreed to fly me to Fairbanks this Saturday.

Are you serious? They are going to fly you to Fairbanks?

 

[DeKay Bayliffe]

The cost to fly me is actually cheaper than if I were to drive. They said that since they needed my signature stating that I re-inspected; they had no choice. Love it!

 

[RSW]

The cost to fly me is actually cheaper than if I were to drive. They said that since they needed my signature stating that I re-inspected; they had no choice. Love it!

That is soooo Good!