Rebuild letters from the county/city regarding zoning

[NWnative]

I was wondering if other appraisers are being asked to supply a rebuild letter from the city/county when zoning is legal non-conforming/grandfathered. (These are mostly homes which are say 6,000sf lots where the zoning calls for 7,260sf or 6 dwelling units per acre)

I have told a few mortgage brokers lately that the borrower can ask the city/county for the letter stating 100% rebuild.

I am curious what other appraisers do in this circumstance.

Also, is this a new trend? In 17 years I have just in the past year been starting to get these letter requests?

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Very common in this neck of the woods.....and evidently others >> here ya go ............

http://appraisersforum.com/general-appraisal-discussion/110608-re-build-letters-again.html?highlight=rebuild+letter

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

The request might be common but that is their business, not mine and I do not intend to provide such because of the liability issue. Zoning committees are fickle, change with the politcal season, and known liars. I am not going to be held responsible for it and they can call the zoning commission as easily as I can.

 

[Ms. Janet]

I am curious what other appraisers do in this circumstance.

Also, is this a new trend? In 17 years I have just in the past year been starting to get these letter requests?

I refused to issue one for WAMU thru LSI and was told it was a "national requirement".After I was chewed out in a voice mail in which LSI told me this had nothing to do with USPAP and wondered how I had managed to get by without providing these for Fannie; they then told me the appraisal I completed and delivered had been reassigned. The next phone call was to tell me I was going to be blocked from the WAMU work I wasn't getting anyway.

Yes, George, I know you read this forum. I thought I'd remind you to tell your QC clerks rebuild letters are not a national requirement or a Fannie requirement.
I'm just sweet that way... :Emoticon_hug:

 

[Joanne Rauenzahn]

I would go right to the township / city for that - why the appraiser?

 

[Lobo Fan]

The city of Albuquerque will only issue a rebuild letter after receiving a written request from the property owner and after they make a full inspection. Elapsed time is 6 weeks minimum. They won't even talk to appraisers about it.

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

We get some requests but it's not an appraisal issue. I tell them who to contact and let them know if the community charges for them Some cities charge $100 for the letter.

 

[wyecoyote]

I put in whatever the city/county states about legal nonconforming lots. Some have in there they can be rebuilt if destroyed, others 75% and others 50% have to be rebuilt to current standards. If they want a rebuild letter gotta get it through the city/county. Otherwise I just state what is on the city/county guidelines.

 

[Renee Healion]

Are you being asked to request, pick up, and deliver a Rebuild Letter prepared by the municipal authority on behalf of a lender or are you being asked to comment in your report on what the process is in your locale? There is a big difference.

 

[NWnative]

Are you being asked to request, pick up, and deliver a Rebuild Letter prepared by the municipal authority on behalf of a lender or are you being asked to comment in your report on what the process is in your locale? There is a big difference.

They want ME to supply to rebuild letter. (which I won't...not my job)