Illegal security bars on windows.

[sputnam]

I would presume that it is a zoning violation egregious to the extent that it rises to the level of a potential H&S hazard--although I'm real fuzzy about the argument about the appraiser's responsibility to the public trust to define H&S hazards as being "Subject To" regardless of what the client prefers. Peer comments?

Responsibility to the public trust requires that you REPORT issues that you find. It does NOT REQUIRE that you make the decision behalf of the Client whether to provide an as is value or a subject to value. That is their call. Not yours. Certainly, you can contact the Client, explain the situation, lay out the choices, and ask what they want to do.

 

[Cob]

Bedroom feature security bars with no release latch. The End.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Bedroom feature security bars with no release latch. The End.

Most lender standards require an appraiser to condition potential health & safety hazards as "Subject To," regardless of industry regs. Right?

 

[Cob]

Most lender standards require an appraiser to condition potential health & safety hazards as "Subject To," regardless of industry regs. Right?

I report what I see, if a home owner converted a garage with no permits, I report it, if the lender or loan provider wants more than that, then I go from there, I was told by an appraiser I used to work with that was very experienced, report what you see, don't ignore it, you report it and the lender will decide how to proceed. I am not saying what's right or wrong, I am not responsible for lender standards, I simply report any potential health & safety hazards.

 

[Rlong]

I have run into this on a sale in the mountains, although they were "bear bars" in the colorado market on the lower level, only one bedroom without bars which was on the upper level "master/parents" room, which meant these were potentially the "kids room" with bars. I did write a large prominent warning, "the children will burn to death!!" (not quite).

I don't require changes; I report what I see.. I don't want to have to go back and "judge" repairs (hate it). What if they take em off and set them on the ground below the window.. Say with the lag bolts attached in a plastic bag : ), what then??

Report and move on.. YOUR CHILDREN WILL BURN!! I pointed out that if it was FHA/HUD they would be required to be removed. I don't get into building code as it is not technically enforceable on existing homes. Even the building officials do not want to be the "code police" on existing homes unless a permit is pulled, a disaster, or a complaint.

 

[glenn walker]

Most lender standards require an appraiser to condition potential health & safety hazards as "Subject To," regardless of industry regs. Right?

The assignment was not for a for new loan but for owner to get PMI removed. All this Non-sense about effect on value etc is crazy I can purchase a New Security Barr's for a typical size Bedroom Window for $200 bucks. Also when older homes had these in in Felony Flats the H & S issue was the robber- rapist- murderer or rapist coming through your bedroom window at night-- BUT I Digress at most I would mention it and be done its not a FHA and PMI doesn't if the guy burns up in a fire but honestly his biggest danger in theses neighborhoods is removing those security bars :: ) LMAO

 

[George Hatch]

Not just whether there is additional egress from a bedroom but whether it is operable. It only takes a minute to check and see if the release is obstructed or shows signs of being inoperable, and only a minute more than that to explain the importance to a resident.

Some things we do for others and some things we do for ourselves. I've seen what happens when people get trapped in a burning home and that isn't something I want on my conscience due to me not taking a minute to explain things in a report and to a resident.

 

[glenn walker]

Not just whether there is additional egress from a bedroom but whether it is operable. It only takes a minute to check and see if the release is obstructed or shows signs of being inoperable, and only a minute more than that to explain the importance to a resident.

Some things we do for others and some things we do for ourselves. I've seen what happens when people get trapped in a burning home and that isn't something I want on my conscience due to me not taking a minute to explain things in a report and to a resident.

Agree I would have told occupant they may want it removed BUT on PMI I know they do not care so now the owner knows his safety risk. Appraisers make 90% of all their own problems

 

[George Hatch]

Merely disclosing the issue in a report doesn't automatically trigger a "subject to removal" requirement. That decision is up to the lender, not the appraiser as such.

 

[sputnam]

Merely disclosing the issue in a report doesn't automatically trigger a "subject to removal" requirement. That decision is up to the lender, not the appraiser as such.

Correct