UAD Design (Style) entry on 1004

[incognito]

The new UAD spec calls for a specific design in the Design (Style) cell under the subject on the URAR. I have not seen any instructions (or even ability) to enter a "rating" in this cell along with the specific style. There certainly are different levels of appeal of "ranch houses" within a selection of comparable sales. Does anyone have any insight into how this may be addressed?

I know that there are 3 blank lines on the URAR which could be utilized, but these are already going to be heavily used with things like fireplaces, pools, out buildings and effective age (the UAD recognizes that houses can be renovated and have newer effective ages than actual ages, but provides no method of adjusting for it on the age line!) We can no longer utilize the 2 basement lines on the URAR for ANYTHING but basements, 2 wasted lines, because we don't have basements around these parts, and these lines were conveniently utilized for things like outbuildings, etc. Any ideas other than utilizing one of those 3 spare lines?

Second question: Apparently "2 story" will not be an acceptable entry for "Design (Style), and a more descriptive entry must be used. What do you call one of those mass produced tract 2 stories built in the early 2000's which were simply either a 2 story rectangle or a 2 story "L" shaped house, with virtually NO architectural features whatsoever?

 

[Rich Heyn]

The new UAD spec calls for a specific design in the Design (Style) cell under the subject on the URAR. I have not seen any instructions (or even ability) to enter a "rating" in this cell along with the specific style. There certainly are different levels of appeal of "ranch houses" within a selection of comparable sales. Does anyone have any insight into how this may be addressed?

I know that there are 3 blank lines on the URAR which could be utilized, but these are already going to be heavily used with things like fireplaces, pools, out buildings and effective age (the UAD recognizes that houses can be renovated and have newer effective ages than actual ages, but provides no method of adjusting for it on the age line!) We can no longer utilize the 2 basement lines on the URAR for ANYTHING but basements, 2 wasted lines, because we don't have basements around these parts, and these lines were conveniently utilized for things like outbuildings, etc. Any ideas other than utilizing one of those 3 spare lines?

Second question: Apparently "2 story" will not be an acceptable entry for "Design (Style), and a more descriptive entry must be used. What do you call one of those mass produced tract 2 stories built in the early 2000's which were simply either a 2 story rectangle or a 2 story "L" shaped house, with virtually NO architectural features whatsoever?

1) Design/Style is not a UAD requirement data field (yet) so there is no specific list of acceptable responses, like the "view" field, for example. The GSEs have indicated that they want the appraiser to use an actual style as a response as opposed to responses such as your example of "2 story."

2) If you need more than the existing three blank lines at the bottom of the grid, consider aggregating several adjustments into a single line and provide the breakdown in the comments section. I know, less than an ideal solution. Just a thought.

3) The architectural term for an unstyled house is a "folk" house, which should be good for a call from an underwriter. How about "unstyled?" Alternately, it's often possible to spot at least a slight architectural influence and describe the dwelling as something like "Prairie Vernacular." There is also "Eclectic" if there are a variety of architectural influences at play.

Northern Michigan University offers a series of webinars on residential design that insight regarding the evolution of American residential architecture and various house styles. None are on the schedule at the moment, but will be offered again after September 1st, perhaps even in August. Additionally, the Appraisal Institute has a good 7 hour classroom seminar on Residential Design.

Disclosure: My partner, Dawn Molitor-Gennrich and I developed both of the above.

I'd also recommend "Houses" by Henry Harrison, "A Field Guide to American Houses" by Virginia and Lee McAlester and "American House Styles" by John Milnes Baker.

 

[Jay Faustini]

Any ideas other than utilizing one of those 3 spare lines?

Second question: Apparently "2 story" will not be an acceptable entry for "Design (Style), and a more descriptive entry must be used. What do you call one of those mass produced tract 2 stories built in the early 2000's which were simply either a 2 story rectangle or a 2 story "L" shaped house, with virtually NO architectural features whatsoever?

You can combine two items into one line (i.e. pool/fireplace) then add the $ value of the adjustments together and explain the individual adjustments in your comments. Sort of a PITA, but it lets you squeeze more into the grid.

Second question: Maybe:laugh: the UAD will allow the term "McMansion" in the Design field.

 

[DMZwerg]

Second question: Apparently "2 story" will not be an acceptable entry for "Design (Style), and a more descriptive entry must be used. What do you call one of those mass produced tract 2 stories built in the early 2000's which were simply either a 2 story rectangle or a 2 story "L" shaped house, with virtually NO architectural features whatsoever?

Actually, I think a name was discussed 3-4 months ago on the forum ... I know it isn't "saltbox" (but that could apply to some of the modern types with a longer roof on one side) and I know "cracker box" (as per my father) referred to homes built during & slightly after WW2 that were basically plain boxes with no or minimal eaves, but I thought the term used mentioned some form of box. Four-square has specific connotations as well. Next best I can think of is Neo-Georgian Colonial or something.

 

[Doug DeMars]

The 'effin 1004 so needs an overhaul...

 

[HF Mudd]

The 'effin 1004 so needs an overhaul...

Be careful what you wish for. Remember the last "overhaul"?

 

[goumcanes]

I plan on taking several weeks off during the Uniform Appraisal Disaster Set release.

WOW will it be fun getting the stips during that time from untrained folks who are merely reading off a checklist to you.

I guess this is yet another chance for AMC's to further reduce fees...after all...they will require so much more time/effort to create/modify their robo reviewers to comply that they should be adequately compensated off of our fee.

 

[Buddy5]

Here in New England we call those two story boxes colonials.

 

[VegasWayne]

The problem with calling these two-story boxes colonials is that they made colonials from the 1600's to about 1800.Most of the other house styles are associated with the era they were built. The appraiser will have to come up with some style name that describes the property without insulting the owner (McMansion). The best bet is to put the word neo- in front of whatever style they are copying or use neo-eclectic if they use multiple style elements. This link has a good explanation of various house styles.
http://architecture.about.com/od/housestyles/tp/housestylesindex.htm

 

[AnonApprsr]

Go take the McKissock 2 hour UAD course, it covers this.

Design/Style means Ranch, Colonial, or Cape etc. What they don't want are stuff like Brick, Vinyl, or Cool.