"Grow Room"?

[LadybugLover]

Okay, this is a FIRST for me - just did an appraisal of a property here locally - as I was walking through the house, there was one room with the door closed, but obviously the lights on! Occupant is an elderly man, on oxygen, and he said that door is locked - I said I need to look in every room - soooooo, he unlocks the door and explains that it is his "grow room" for his medical marijuana. He did have the permits posted on the wall and assured me it was legal - sure had a LOT of it growing though! So, my question is - do I include this photo in the report? it's part of the house - lender wants interior photos - just explain it's medical marijuana and there is a permit posted or what do I do? Never had this circumstance!

Mary

 

[wickedness1]

Wow :new_silly::new_shocked::new_silly::new_shocked:

Well, I would disclose it definately. If something happens in the future & the house is boarded for an illegal drug ring then you've disclosed everything to the lender.

 

[Tom Barclay]

I always take a photo of the permit for my files but don't include it in the report. I feel it's appropriate to mention it in the addenda, but that is just my opinion. If the permit is valid, they are doing nothing illegal. Unless they have made substantial modifications to the room(plumbing/electrical, etc.) it doesn't have any significant impact on the value. It's actually a pretty common occurrence around here.
Another thing, as for the quantity being "a lot", you really don't have any way of knowing what is "a lot". Many folks who do have medicinal cards are not able to grow their own, and in Oregon at least it is legal for several people to contract with one grower who produces the crop for multiple people. But this is really beyond your scope of work. If it was a basement full of plants I would be concerned, one room of a house, I would mention it and move on. If the lender is concerned then the lender can verify that information with the local authorities.

 

[Mztk1]

Absolutely NOT.

That's private business. I would never share that with anyone. It simply is not my business, nor anyone elses. I wouldn't have even taken a picture of it. And I think, though I am not certain, that even if the state allows the grow room and the pot, the federal government does not, so it is illegal. I just am not a cop. If I wanted to be one, that would have been a lot easier to do than becoming an appraiser.

 

[Mr Rex]

Growing marijuana is still against federal law. Definitely disclose it, if the old geezer starts selling his stash the Feds might show up and seize the house.

 

[Bama Bayou]

I agree with Jim. The weed has nothing to do with the appraisal. I would appraise the real estate and mind my own business.

 

[wickedness1]

Absolutely NOT.

That's private business. I would never share that with anyone. It simply is not my business, nor anyone elses. I wouldn't have even taken a picture of it. And I think, though I am not certain, that even if the state allows the grow room and the pot, the federal government does not, so it is illegal. I just am not a cop. If I wanted to be one, that would have been a lot easier to do than becoming an appraiser.

I understand this mindset to, but what if the house ends up boarded in the future? I would think an appraiser has to disclose this situation, personal or not.

 

[Bama Bayou]

Growing marijuana is still against federal law. Definitely disclose it, if the old geezer starts selling his stash the Feds might show up and seize the house.

"Marital aids" are illegal in my state, but I'm leaving the sex swing hanging from the ceiling in the master bedroom out of my photographs. It's not my business, no need to mention it.

 

[Mr Rex]

"Marital aids" are illegal in my state, but I'm leaving the sex swing hanging from the ceiling in the master bedroom out of my photographs. It's not my business, no need to mention it.

Can the feds or the state seize your house over the swing? Have they ever? They have seized homes in CA for growing (that did have a permit).

Would you take the same attittude if it were a meth lab?

 

[Smokey Bear]

Hmm, could violate the ADA if you report it, could violate other laws if you don't. You're stuck. I would say, appraise the house as if vacant, we don't appaise or much care about their personal property. He showed you permits, leave him alone.