Head & Shoulders ?

[ZZGAMAZZ]

So HUD has eliminated the appraiser's "head-&-shoulders" visual observation of crawl spaces and attics.

Does the change affect just the verbiage being reported, or are the inspection/observation standards affected as well?

Just me being confused or everybody?

 

[glenn walker]

So HUD has eliminated the appraiser's "head-&-shoulders" visual observation of crawl spaces and attics.

Does the change affect just the verbiage being reported, or are the inspection/observation standards affected as well?

Just me being confused or everybody?

Excerpts: On January 18, 2023,
HUD issued an announcement regarding revisions made to Handbook 4000.1. According to the announcement, the revisions included “enhancements and revisions to existing guidelines and various technical edits.”

The most significant of these revisions was the elimination of the requirement to include the 1004MC form as an attachment to the appraisal report.
Changes to the Handbook also include several other minor, but nevertheless meaningful, edits and clarifications to FHA appraisal requirements, including:
Under “Attic Observation Requirements,” a clarification was made regarding the appraiser’s obligation to “safely” access the attic. The language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the attic was deleted.

Under “Crawl Space Observation Requirements,” significant revisions were made, including removal of a bullet point list of MPR/MPS criteria for the crawl space. Also, language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the crawl space was deleted. The changes outlined in the Handbook may be implemented immediately but must be implemented for FHA cases assigned on or after April 18, 2023.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Excerpts: On January 18, 2023,
HUD issued an announcement regarding revisions made to Handbook 4000.1. According to the announcement, the revisions included “enhancements and revisions to existing guidelines and various technical edits.”

The most significant of these revisions was the elimination of the requirement to include the 1004MC form as an attachment to the appraisal report.
Changes to the Handbook also include several other minor, but nevertheless meaningful, edits and clarifications to FHA appraisal requirements, including:
Under “Attic Observation Requirements,” a clarification was made regarding the appraiser’s obligation to “safely” access the attic. The language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the attic was deleted.

Under “Crawl Space Observation Requirements,” significant revisions were made, including removal of a bullet point list of MPR/MPS criteria for the crawl space. Also, language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the crawl space was deleted. The changes outlined in the Handbook may be implemented immediately but must be implemented for FHA cases assigned on or after April 18, 2023.

So it's just the language that changes but not the inspection technique. Doesn't matter but I wonder why the change was made. And I wonder how many dozens and dozens of lender conditions that appraisers will receive because we will remove the language but lenders aren't aware. But thank you for clarifying.

 

[glenn walker]

So it's just the language that changes but not the inspection technique. Doesn't matter but I wonder why the change was made. And I wonder how many dozens and dozens of lender conditions that appraisers will receive because we will remove the language but lenders aren't aware. But thank you for clarifying.

Dont over think it --personally I would just continue doing how you have always done it if that works.

 

[Tom4value]

I think I know. It is because of reality. If there is a 1’x1’ scuttle in a packed closet, the only thing going up there is my hand and cell phone!

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

I think I know. It is because of reality. If there is a 1’x1’ scuttle in a packed closet, the only thing going up there is my hand and cell phone!

You're an enternal optimist to think that a beauracratic regulation would be revised to conform with reality, or functionality. Would be nice though. (Tomorrow I am headed to an old SFR with an exterior attic access much higher than my ladder, which will require a much bigger car than mine, for an FHA observation that will yield nothing of significance.

Question for peers: Has anybody ever observed attic conditions that fail to meet FHA MPR's?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

The easy way is a long selfie stick that you can run with a bluetooth and GoPro.

 

[RSW]

You're an enternal optimist to think that a beauracratic regulation would be revised to conform with reality, or functionality. Would be nice though. (Tomorrow I am headed to an old SFR with an exterior attic access much higher than my ladder, which will require a much bigger car than mine, for an FHA observation that will yield nothing of significance.

Question for peers: Has anybody ever observed attic conditions that fail to meet FHA MPR's?

Yes. Many times. The one that I remember the best was when I opened the scuttle and the insulation on the electric wiring had been chewed off in several places.

 

[Tom4value]

You're an enternal optimist to think that a beauracratic regulation would be revised to conform with reality, or functionality. Would be nice though. (Tomorrow I am headed to an old SFR with an exterior attic access much higher than my ladder, which will require a much bigger car than mine, for an FHA observation that will yield nothing of significance.

Question for peers: Has anybody ever observed attic conditions that fail to meet FHA MPR's?

1st point- Maybe, but it will help me sleep tonight!

2nd point- yes, I have. I did one where I saw water damage in the second floor bedroom ceiling. In the walk up attic I saw an obvious leak (water stains and a pinhole light to the outside on the roof) . Took a photo and mentioned it.

 

[Dublin ohio]

The easy way is a long selfie stick that you can run with a bluetooth and GoPro.

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