I don't think I am a mold inspector, am I?

[Webbed Feet]

Don't go in the property until it passes a mold inspection. These are inspectors that get mold certified. They have a machine that sucks in air and takes a sample. The sample goes to the lab, the lab sends the report to the inspector. If you are not a certified mold inspector you can't even say a house has mold. You can describe a smell, what you see, or take a picture of it and recommend that a certified mold inspector test for mold. Steer clear of this lawsuit waiting to happen and don't put your health at risk.

Ms. Perkins,

Thank You!!!!!!

I kept reading and reading waiting for somebody, anybody, to say it! The first post in the thread says the lender / client understands not to go in the house because it is a health issue... Then the dumb *** lender / client staff proceeds to require the appraiser to go in minus any written report the issue has been remediated so the appraiser has someone to sue if that is not accurate and the appraiser ends up in the hospital.

I don't think this client would like what I would tell them. Because "the lender" (read that loan officer anxious for their commission) apparently could not care less about the appraisers health. I'd flat out ask em if they were looking forward to getting sued for presenting themselves as remediation experts and telling me it is safe? I'd like that in writing!

Webbed.

 

[c w d]

I don't see any reason you can not state something like this "The appraiser received mold remediation documentation from X indicating that on Y date remediation had been completed. However, the appraiser is not qualified to make any determinations as to the current status of mold in the subject dwelling. Also, this is an exterior inspection only and the appraiser has only inspected the subject from the street side. The appraiser makes the extraordinary assumption that based upon said documentation that the subject dwelling is ready for occupancy. Should the documented mold remediation be incomplete or inadequate then this would render the appraiser's extraordinary assumption to be incorrect adversely impacting the indicated market value as of the effective date of the appraisal. The appraiser strongly suggests that the client hire a home inspector with the appropriate qualifications in mold inspection to render a determination with certainty as to the status of mold in the dwelling."

But since the 2005 FNMA forms prohibit us from making extraordinary assumptions just mark it subject to inspection and certification by a qualified professional.

On the other hand, isn't the mold remediation company qualified to determine whether or not there is mold in the house? I mean, they are qualified to remove it and in doing so they would have to have certain expertise in order to determine the amount of remediation required for a given situation. Wouldn't this make them qualified to tell anyone else that mold in the house is within acceptable limits or completely eradicated? Granted, this could give them the opportunity to lie about it. But, this would be their fraud, not our incompetence, would it not?

 

[Webbed Feet]

CWD,

This entire issue is being caused because the appraisers client, and / or lender, is trying to send the loan to closing before the mold remediation company has finished. They are also attempting to obtain a sanitized appraisal report.

Webbed.

 

[TJSum]

I don't see any reason you can not state something like this "The appraiser received mold remediation documentation from X indicating that on Y date remediation had been completed. However, the appraiser is not qualified to make any determinations as to the current status of mold in the subject dwelling. Also, this is an exterior inspection only and the appraiser has only inspected the subject from the street side. The appraiser makes the extraordinary assumption that based upon said documentation that the subject dwelling is ready for occupancy. Should the documented mold remediation be incomplete or inadequate then this would render the appraiser's extraordinary assumption to be incorrect adversely impacting the indicated market value as of the effective date of the appraisal. The appraiser strongly suggests that the client hire a home inspector with the appropriate qualifications in mold inspection to render a determination with certainty as to the status of mold in the dwelling."

But since the 2005 FNMA forms prohibit us from making extraordinary assumptions just mark it subject to inspection and certification by a qualified professional.

On the other hand, isn't the mold remediation company qualified to determine whether or not there is mold in the house? I mean, they are qualified to remove it and in doing so they would have to have certain expertise in order to determine the amount of remediation required for a given situation. Wouldn't this make them qualified to tell anyone else that mold in the house is within acceptable limits or completely eradicated? Granted, this could give them the opportunity to lie about it. But, this would be their fraud, not our incompetence, would it not?

The point is this is all for the UW to decide, not the appraiser. Our job is to reveal the problem, it is the experts job to inspect it, fix it and sign off on it. Then the UW signs off on it, not the appraiser. If this mold returns within the next couple years, and the appraiser signed off on the work, or removed it from the report completely, the appraiser will be included in the blame and lawsuits.

 

[c w d]

Ok my mistake. I got distracted and forgot to read that important fact. God...I feel like a UW "Addendum? What addendum?".

 

[Urbanz]

This is in all of my reports in additional comments on page 3.

NO APPARENT ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE NOTED. THE APPRAISER IS NOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT.
SEE STATEMENT OF LIMITING CONDITIONS. Viking Appraisals, LLC is not a mold testing laboratory; therefore, the identification of specific types of mold is beyond the scope of a typical home appraisal inspection and we cannot state unequivocally whether any specific type of mold is or is not present. When dank/musty odors are present or mold-like substances are visible, we make note of it in the appraisal report prepared for you. If you suspect and want to know what specific type of mold is present, you should seek the services of a qualified industrial hygienist or a
qualified mold testing laboratory. Only they have the necessary knowledge and laboratories equipped to determine what types of mold are potentially growing and thriving in your home.