Hole in drywall

[jmedina]

Hello Fellow Appraiser;

Easy question here. Based on guidelines and such, it seems as though HUD is extremely strict. I know holes in the drywall is a health, safety issue but would you "subject to" or simply note it as deferred maintenance? thx

 

[jmedina]

duh! Correction. it is not a health and safety issue. my bad

 

[Ken B]

So, you have recognized that a hole in the drywall may be a cosmetic issue and perhaps not even one that requires any recognition at all?

It is a matter of scale. Holes in the drywall can be caused by a variety of things; a nail, a doorknob, a bowling ball, a sledge hammer, or perhaps a car. At what point does a hole require mention?

This is the sort of question that keeps me awake at night.

That and the neighbor's dog.

 

[Tom Woolford]

Holes should not keep you awake, and neither should the dog. One small hole (less than 1 ft sq) let it go and get some sleep. Oh yeah, shoot the dog.

 

[Ken B]

Holes should not keep you awake, and neither should the dog. One small hole (less than 1 ft sq) let it go and get some sleep. Oh yeah, shoot the dog.

I was thinking a hole in the dog might solve at least one problem. But then there is the issue of unintended consequences. After all, the neighbor might retaliate and put a hole in me. My wife would probably not like either idea. Well, maybe one of them, I just don't know which one. She doesn't like the dog, but she does think I should buy her flowers more often.

And what if there are two holes in the drywall? But, combined, the affected area is less than 1 SF? Would that require mention? What about a hundred or so holes from a claw hammer? Ahhhgg! No sleep for me tonight!

 

[Caterina Platt]

Two things come to mind, marketability and safety.

I had a hole in the drywall on which I required repair, only because the electrical wiring became exposed under the light switch as a result. Kids, toys falling in the hole, reaching in there for whatever reason, it's a hazard.

If that's not applicable to your case, then you may have a few items of cosmetic repair issue that amount to something that affects your condition adjustment, but not a Safety/Security/Saleability issue.

 

[Ken B]

Saleability? I thought it was safe/sound/sanitary.

And what about the dog? I don't think it meets any of those standards.

 

[Caterina Platt]

Safety of the occupants

Security of the property

Saleability of the property (saleability is an awkward word, isn't it? Almost like a Bushism. )

 

[Ken B]

Hmpf. Safe, sound, and sanitary must just be a VA thing. I can't remember the last time I did an FHA appraisal, so what do I know? I'll take your word for it.

 

[RSW]

It's Safety, Sanitation, & Soundness.