House built to property line.

[SFbuyer]

Looking to purchase a San Francisco Victorian using my VA loan. Reading through the MPRs it says all exterior walls must be accessible but these homes are all built up to the property line and against the neighboring houses. Anyone have experience with a property like this with a VA appraisal? My lender feels it is not an issue but said we won’t know until it is appraised. Appreciate any insight.

 

[Elliott]

I had a FHA house where the south wall was within 1' of the property line and the south wall only had access for repair or repainting from the lot directly south of the subject lot. I required an easement or agreement for maintenance and painting of the south wall of the house be obtained. It was. Happy agreement, happy maintenance, happy appraiser.

 

[Fernando]

Many homes in SF have zero lot lines.
Can't recall I ever did a FHA or VA appraisal in SF. Then again I never did a VA appraisal.

 

[andrew81]

these homes are all built up to the property line and against the neighboring houses. Anyone have experience with a property like this with a VA appraisal? My lender feels it is not an issue but said we won’t know until it is appraised. Appreciate any insight.

Not in the handbook.

I have not with with VA, but others on this forum with FHA/USDA have had lenders and underwriters request additional repairs/inspections.

 

[andrew81]

The only I can find from VA handbook

i. Property Constructed Adjacent to Another Property Line
A building constructed on or next to a property line must be separated from the adjoining building by a wall extending the full height of the building from the foundation to the ridge of the roof.

Utilities for Living Units
Utility services must be independent for each living unit, except units in a two to four-unit property may share water, sewer, gas, or electricity as long as there are separate service shut-offs for
each unit, and units under separate ownership may share connections from the main to the building line when those connections are protected by an easement and a maintenance agreement acceptable to VA

 

[CindyR]

we call those Zero Lot Line - no problem with VA

 

[Fernando]

SF homes have zero lot line with detached walls.
My wife never liked the dense appeal of these homes thus we didn't buy any.
Still water can get between the "thin" lines and can cause potential problems.