Non FHA; does a fireplace count as a permenant heat source

[RSW]

The heat source only has to be able to heat the entire house (mainly the rooms with plumbing 50 degrees or higher. Does the fireplace meet that requirement? If so, then I don't see a problem.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

@ TC
You would think, but somehow there are prior appraisals on this property with mortgages in excess of $1,000,000! I will make this one subject to a permanent heat source, as forced heating or wall heating is typical in the market area.

There we go. I've seen a couple FP heat only places in outback places like the mountains above Malibu. It's atypical. It can get cold! Like 50F or less now and then. Brrr.

If gas heat is the norm, and you don't have it, you need to deal with the functional obs.

 

[Calvin the Airedale]

Working on a duplex in California. Each unit has a fireplace, but no other heat source. Should I condition this report subject to a permanent heat source, does the fireplace satisfy, or does it even matter for a non-FHA order?

How curious.

Is this some sort of "green" dwelling? You know, a building so efficient that the mere placement of a hamster in a cage & wheel will heat the building?

Have you time traveled from the 19th century to make this post?

There are plenty of houses without permanent heat sources, in my area they're called "hovels". In fact, we have whole neighborhoods devoted to this style of architecture.

 

[CANative]

One would be hard pressed to find a hovel in La Jolla.

I'll bet at one time there were electric wall heaters or if it's a really old duplex there may be an electric heater in the attic (it's a cable that snakes through the attic and gets warm.)

 

[Calvin the Airedale]

One would be hard pressed to find a hovel in La Jolla.

I'll bet at one time there were electric wall heaters or if it's a really old duplex there may be an electric heater in the attic (it's a cable that snakes through the attic and gets warm.)

Did I miss something, how am I supposed to know this is La Jolla?

However, knowing La Jolla as I do, I'd be willing to bet that many homeowners would be tempted to point to the dwelling across the street and label it a "hovel."

 

[CANative]

Did I miss something, how am I supposed to know this is La Jolla?

The property is in a coastal community called La Jolla. No chance of freezing pipes there. More likely the sea air will destroy the exterior!

They'd call it a hovel just because it had fireplaces for heat? I work an area on the Mendocino coast where many nice properties use wood heat.

 

[Calvin the Airedale]

Did I miss something, how am I supposed to know this is La Jolla?



They'd call it a hovel just because it had fireplaces for heat? I work an area on the Mendocino coast where many nice properties use wood heat.

Ok, Ok, lighten up. I missed that reference and in any event was just being humorous. Not everyone believes in emoticons!

 

[residentialguy]

Working on a duplex in California. Each unit has a fireplace, but no other heat source. Should I condition this report subject to a permanent heat source, does the fireplace satisfy, or does it even matter for a non-FHA order?

FP is a permanent heat source. However, it could be considered functionally obsolete...depending on the neighborhood.

 

[Smokey Bear]

How many houses in La Jolla have only a fireplace for heat? And since most fireplaces lose more heat than they create, I'd probably call for a heat source. On the other hand, what's the rental history? If folks are willing to rent it......

 

[CANative]

I would never second guess someone who has been inside the property but I just can't shake the feeling that there are some electric wall heaters somewhere in these units. Maybe the bathrooms or hiding behind some furniture.

In any case I would still say an "as is" value can be done.