Help With VA Appraisal (in Law Apartments - Railings, Paint Etc

[Eli]

So... I finally got a hold of my VA regional loan center "appraiser" and she was basically no help! I tried explaining the situation to her and asking what kind of comps they would be looking at and she basically told me it is up to the specific appraiser. I'm wondering though if it is technically zoned as a 5 bedroom 4.5 bath wouldn't they HAVE to look at those comps? Even if it "appears" physically to look like 3 bedrooms 2.5 main house and two "apartments" on the lower level but there is NO MENTION of it being a one family with accessory units. That is what I am thinking by looking at what it is specifically listed as on the occupancy report. Like does this make sense?

They want everything to go through the channels. You know that. They will help the appraiser if need be.

 

[Mena22]

Should I ask my lender? Would he know? Specifically about what comps will be looked at?

 

[Eli]

So... I finally got a hold of my VA regional loan center "appraiser" and she was basically no help! I tried explaining the situation to her and asking what kind of comps they would be looking at and she basically told me it is up to the specific appraiser. I'm wondering though if it is technically zoned as a 5 bedroom 4.5 bath wouldn't they HAVE to look at those comps? Even if it "appears" physically to look like 3 bedrooms 2.5 main house and two "apartments" on the lower level but there is NO MENTION of it being a one family with accessory units. That is what I am thinking by looking at what it is specifically listed as on the occupancy report. Like does this make sense?

They want everything to go through the channels. You know that. You have worked for the govt. They will help the appraiser if need be.

 

[Mena22]

They want everything to go through the channels. You know that. They will help the appraiser if need be.

So who should have I called instead?

 

[Eli]

Should I ask my lender? Would he know? Specifically about what comps will be looked at?

Yes. You really need to talk to the appraiser.

 

[Mena22]

I don't have a specific appraiser assigned yet. I need to do the inspection tomorrow and then the lender will schedule it. I was trying to find out more information before the appraisal. Thanks everyone.

 

[Eli]

I don't have a specific appraiser assigned yet. I need to do the inspection tomorrow and then the lender will schedule it. I was trying to find out more information before the appraisal. Thanks everyone.

That is not the way it works. I'm sorry. The appraiser schedules it. The lender knows who the appraiser is. Call the lender or your RE agent if you have one. You can find out contact info for the appraiser.

If you have not applied for a VA loan, then your only resource is the VA regional loan center or the lender maybe or a RE agent. An appraiser has not been engaged based on what you are saying now. I am purely speculating now!

 

[Mena22]

That is not the way it works. I'm sorry. The appraiser schedules it. The lender knows who the appraiser is. Call the lender or your RE agent if you have one. You can find out contact info for the appraiser.

If you have not applied for a VA loan, then your only resource is the VA regional loan center or the lender maybe or a RE agent. An appraiser has not been engaged based on what you are saying now. I am purely speculating now!

We are in contract on this house. I am in the final stages of securing the actual loan (but need the inspection and appraisal first). Have already been pre-qualified to use my VA Loan. Per the bank and the specific lender (my lender's words-) they will schedule the appraisal AFTER our home inspection tomorrow. My lender said that once the inspection is complete he will schedule the appraisal. Sorry if I am not conveying this information correctly. I'm obviously so new at this as I've never been this far in the home buying process. Thanks.

And my RE agent did say they should be looking at comps that are what it is zoned for but I just want to make sure this is correct (by asking other appraisers) just so I can have a good idea of how everything will turn out and if we will even have a chance to close on this house.

 

[Mena22]

Like I am wondering what the general practice is for actual appraisers thinking that you guys would be more informed than my RE is about all this. When you go to start pulling comps, do you look up the house that the people want to buy and see what it is zoned as and what the occupancy report is to pull those comps? Or do you go inside the actual house then find comps based on what it physically looks like? I know this is a unique situation and I am looking for guidance here as I'm not sure if I'm allowed to actually contact my specific appraiser who is going to be assigned,.

 

[Eli]

We are in contract on this house. I am in the final stages of securing the actual loan (but need the inspection and appraisal first). Have already been pre-qualified to use my VA Loan. Per the bank and the specific lender (my lender's words-) they will schedule the appraisal AFTER our home inspection tomorrow. My lender said that once the inspection is complete he will schedule the appraisal. Sorry if I am not conveying this information correctly. I'm obviously so new at this as I've never been this far in the home buying process. Thanks.

And my RE agent did say they should be looking at comps that are what it is zoned for but I just want to make sure this is correct (by asking other appraisers) just so I can have a good idea of how everything will turn out and if we will even have a chance to close on this house.

That's good. The home inspection and the appraisal are different. Stay in contact with your lender and/or real estate agent. You'll get the appraiser contact info from them when they order the appraisal if you ask them for it? PM Mike too since he invited you to.