Half Bath done without permit

[ramrcdk]

Yes if there are no discrepancy from my sources.

Subject had discrepancies so I had to call owner regarding the half bathrm status. She fessed up after two contacts.
When I was there, I said out loud "So you have a 2 bedrm 1.5 bath home" and she didn't say anything.
I knew something wasn't right when she didn't confirm with me.

What a NUTS assumption on your part.
THAT makes no sense. If she didn't confirm it with you...is likely because she may have thought LESS of you for asking.
After all you DID observed the property and 1.5 baths. IN your face & in photos & the sketch.

You must make satisfactory comment in the report & including: where you have described the steps of the exhausted research to arrive
at your Grid Adjusted Conclusions.

The Form has a specific line use for # of bedrooms & # baths.
The stip' you've received is because the requester did not find the commentary or grid use adequate, PERIOD.

So, via GSE guidelines of time & distance, there were NO bracketing bathrooms sales in all of the miles over the entire timeline, be it 1/2 or 2 full baths?
PERMIT: Again, where found a half bath of similar flushable use-utility PERMITTED or NOT... would serve FULL FLUSH PURPOSE?

Conclusion, USE of a bracketing bath sale, omit the single 1/2 bath grid line, & insert total # where Form required.
Add adequate comments of your conclusions including ___ no found adverse___ evidence of subject permitting via _________ sources.
The H&B use of the functioning half bath does have market appeal via ______.

 

[ramrcdk]

It's interesting many AF appraisers don't admit what they do with an unpermitted bathroom.
It should be simple but makes me worry that my peers are doing it all wrong and reviewers are accepting it.

Again Twist & Shout Fern'!
YOU ASK: the DA dingy question. WHY because YOU didn't know HOW or WHAT was right or wrong.
Twist it: Blame it on the Reviewer?? Or Slam...you peers???

WE don't have to ask the homeowner how many baths she has because we OBSERVED, SKETCHED, & PHOTOGRAPHED the property.
WE don't get such stupid STIPS because we are appraiser's that understand Form Use, FM-GSE guidelines, and
research & properly explain report conclusions.

After reading this Post: Now -> sorry I tried to help.

 

[Fernando]

I reiterated my stance that I couldn't put half bath in room count.
STIP has gone away. I'm glad I didn't have to give up my evil ways.

Just my luck, I have another property with a half bathroom which this time owner said was done with permits six months ago.
This is a high end home and the half bathroom looks very nice.
I told owner that if lender asks for permits, she will have to get them for me. She couldn't find them at time of appraisal.
I don't think the sweet lady would lie to me.
In this case, I will include the half bath in total room count.
Fernando does what he thinks is appropriate. Computers can't do what I can do.

 

[andrew81]

Computers can't do what I can do.

An appraiser:
• must not perform an assignment with bias;
• must not advocate the cause or interest of any party or issue;

 

[Fernando]

What bias?
I look at each home and determine how market determine its characteristics.
After reviewer back down in how I dealt with the half bathroom, I'm emboldened to appraise the Fernando way.

 

[Dublin ohio]

What bias?
I look at each home and determine how Fernando determine its characteristics.
After reviewer back down in how I dealt with the half bathroom, I'm emboldened to appraise the Fernando way

Fixed it. The only possible way you could determine how the market views it. Is if you can prove that the market checks for 1/2 bath permits when they are buying.

 

[Fernando]

I'm not a construction expert but I see good construction when I see it.
Through the years, buyers don't check or care about permits if construction appears good.
With permits, most likely done correctly.
Without permits, not sure if construction is acceptable.
As appraiser, I make the call whether market likes unpermitted half bath to be included in total gross area.
Computers can't do that. Some inexperienced appraisers can't do that either.

 

[Dublin ohio]

As appraiser, I make the call whether market likes unpermitted half bath to be included in total gross area.

No. The market makes the call. As an appraiser. You provide data, analysis and support for your conclusions.

 

[Fernando]

No. The market makes the call. As an appraiser. You provide data, analysis and support for your conclusions.

The appraiser is aware what the market observes. Buyers not doing due diligence can pay more for bathroom with no permits.
Remember, my valuation is for my client.

 

[Mike Ault]

The appraiser is aware what the market observes. Buyers not doing due diligence can pay more for bathroom with no permits.
Remember, my valuation is for my client.

If your client tells you to misrepresent facts in your appraisal to make their loan easier to sell on the secondary market (Please don't point out unpermitted improvements let's say) you will quickly find that your liability extends to everyone involved in the transaction. As Bobby Bucks said years ago "appraisals have a long shelf life". Right or wrong, the "ultimate investor in the loan", not your client will be looking for misrepresentation & errors of judgment to cash in on your E&O after the default and every decision you make had better be defensible. You don't get to do whatever you want, you better do what is right. Especially for $1000.