Guidance When The Property Lacks Access To A Crawl Space

[PhillyApp]

Here is the scenario:

The home is over 90 years in age with a rear addition. The addition contains the kitchen and bathroom. All pipes are located between the earth and the floor joists. There is no access to this area, you could barely get a camera in to photograph, let alone observe anything. Technically this is a crawl space, but I am sure there area areas where the floor joists are resting on top of or slightly above the earth (dirt) and the only areas where it was necessary to run pipes.

Do I complete the report and note the lack of access to the "crawl space" in report or contact the AMC and let them know prior to moving any further with report.

Please advise?

 

[Michigan CG]

Many crawl spaces have little/no access. I would complete appraisal.

 

[PhillyApp]

Thank you, that is my inclination. Nothing in the engagement about contacting them regarding lack of access.

 

[Biskt6]

Is it FHA? Or Conv?

 

[Mr Rex]

Do your job, report the lack of access for maintenance etc. Appraisers report, UW's decide.

 

[PhillyApp]

You have quite a way with words Mr Rex....

 

[Sid Holderly]

Old OLd homes were not built with access to the air space as a need. The new HUD guilde states that somewhere. paraphrased some
This is not uncommon complete and describe.

 

[Tom D]

it can go either way not having crawl access with a FHA underwriter. i don't fight them anymore about these little crawl spaces. i would take a picture of the opening. said you could barely get a camera in. does the mean you did. any picture, any picture, that i could get of that space never came back questioned.

 

[glenn walker]

What are you going to do when you come across a home with a flat roof ? Many properties don't have attic's or scuttles just report what you see and be done. I did one last week that was on a concrete slab ( no crawl space ) and the property had a flat roof with open beam ceilings and no attic. Guess what no attic flat roof and and no crawl space. Many homes built in the western states have neither. Just report the facts and be done. Another good statement in my area is THE ATTIC IS A SMALL AREA AND NOT DESIGNED TO BE WALKED AROUND IN AND THE APPRAISER THEREFORE DID A MINIMAL HEAD AND SHOULDERS OR OBSERVED WHAT HE/SHE COULD VISUALLY SEE. PERIOD . That's all you can do if that's not sufficient then the DE UW can have a licensed contractor go out and see what he/she thinks. JUST REPORT WHAT YOU DID OR DID NOT DO ?*** But you can always call your FHA/HUD HOC and get advise and that's what I normally recommend in these situations.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

FHA " the crawl space contains any system components, the minimum required vertical clearance is 18 inches between grade and the bottom of the floor joists"

Sounds like there is less than 18"

So if FHA, no, do not complete the report. Notify the lender