Help Please! Window Bars, No Releases

[Honey West]

I run into these issues a lot in Oaktown/Richmond. You can apply the FHA mindset, consider it a safety issue and condition them to be either taken out or modified with safety release mechanisms. Most borrowers take them off, I reinspect, and the put them back on. The California law is that bars installed without safety mechanisms prior to approx. 1991 are "grandfathered" in that the installation preceded the law. So technically, older security bars without release mechanisms are "tolerated". But who wants to have chldren sleeping in those rooms? I always note security bars if they are on bedrooms which lack an outside door. I have not had a lender not condition them to be removed or modified. For FHA, I always condition their removal as a safety issue.

Thank you for your in- depth, knowledgeable reply! Much appreciated!

 

[bnmappraisal]

True, removing the bars is a cure however, when you go, the bars go back on the windows or doors

Yup!

 

[Eli]

We had about 9 people burn up recently with several small children in a small house. Code is probably in the process of making it mandatory here before the property can transfer. If it is FHA or VA, you better make it subject to. Don't worry about cost to cure. Either subject to removal or quick releases.

I would make it subject to correction period. The underwriter can sign off on it if they want to. Let the liability fall on them. Check code in your area. If it is REO, do it as is and cost to cure.

You could even see on the house where the people burnt up how an elderly lady tried to get out through a bathroom window but couldn't. REO is different though. They want both as is and as repaired many times. Yes, the owner/occupant might remove them and put them back up after your final inspection.

 

[sandpiperapp]

VA, it is a MPR if it is over a bedroom window only.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Would not an appraiser's knowledge of FHA standards also result in the need to consider whether those standards, presumably conservative, should be self-imposed and consequently applied to non-FHA assignments as well, based on a presumption that the rigor would not be mandatory unless the need was warranted?

 

[Deleted member 134708]

If gonna make subject to, I'd also make subject to removal of 10 items plugged into 1 outlet, removal of Ferret and subject to the removal of the Samsung Note 7 that has recall for catching fire that you observed on the counter.

If you want to be the safety police, I'd go whole hog and actually make the home safe for the owner and bank.

If just want to appraise the home, I'd report and finish an as-is appraisal.

 

[Mr Rex]

Would this make the house an interior grill?

 

[Eli]

That's what I am saying. The bedroom deal has to do with being asleep and the toxic fumes put you deeper in sleep according to the experts. That's why everybody needs smoke alarms. I guess they figure if your in the kitchen, you can get out if your not sleeping there: Bedrooms are a no no. I don't care if I am the appraiser. They can take them off and put them back on. I cant help stupid. It's a no go with me. It is a safety issue.

Now, if it's an REO and I have to give an "as is" value, then it is cost to cure and entrepreneurial incentive.

 

[Eli]

I would require them to be removed and encourage them to get a sawed off shotgun and keep it close. A security system could work if they could afford it. That sawed off shotgun will work. Don't worry about aiming with it. It will hit the broad side of a barn. Just squeeze the trigger at the window. I know that sounds harsh. I'm sorry. It's my house. They can have the stuff. But if they are coming in my bedroom window and I feel my life is threatened, that's different. Pull them on in after you squeeze it. Call 911. You won't miss.

 

[Deleted member 134708]

Sawed off shotguns are illegal. So you should heed your own safety advice and turn that illegal weapon in. When you have your carpets cleaned. The carpet guy has a duty of he sees your non-safe weapon and calls the police to make sure your home is safe. After all the carpet professional also wants to be the safety police.

I don't need this carpet professional leaving an unsafe home. That would be a disaster.