Unique Property.Any ideas? HELP

[WadeKoutnik]

Wade, I think we all read it.

I show up and proceed to walk into the home where the borrower (I thought) showed me around (his section) I then realized this was a tenant and this home was a duplex ( I thought). So I walked to the other side and realized there was no access to the second floor. The owner instructed me that I had to go through the screened patio to get to the stairs.

Who is the client, who is the borrower, who is the owner? Prior to inspection did you do any research regarding zoning? Ownership? Building Permits? Where is the screened patio? Is it a part of the main floor? Are there ingress and egress to both main floor and 2nd floor from this screened patio?

So upstairs there are 2 bedrooms , a kitchenette and a bathroom. Also, the ceilings range from about 5 feet to 7 feet tall (Slanted as the roof is). The bath tub couldn't be taller than 5 feet.

Is this a Fannie Mae Refi? Does Fannie allow 7' ceilings? Why the comment on the bath tub? Is the current use a legal use according to zoning? Is the current use permitted?

The home also has heating a cooling from affixed window and wall units. no CHA.

Is the heating system typical for the area? Is the heat and cooling system adequate for the property?

There is a tenant in the upper story and side unit and owner lives in main unit.

Public records considers this a single family with an apartment and an attic. Everything is in good shape.

So if public records indicate a single family with apartment, then what does the planning and zoning office say when you tell them there are three units there? Sounds like the use current as of your inspection is an illegal use and therefore you have more research to do? I don't know where your information is coming from, go to the city hall and ask the questions in person...

Duplex with a finished attic? I don't know, is it permitted and legal. Please re-read my last post.

I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to steer you in the right direction.....

No you weren't trying to be mean you were just being an a-hole. The fact is that I called the city office and the girl couldn't help me when I explained the situation so she told me the person that could help is going to be back on Thurs.

Your comments spoke for themselves.

"I was instructed on how to do this by my father way back in 1979 when I first began appraising. Lately, the newer appraisers have not had to think too much, just throw some numbers at a piece of paper and hope something sticks."

Does it look like I am just throwing some numbers together? Did I not come here to see if I was missing something? It isn't exactly KNOWING EVERYTHING but KNOWING WHERE TO LOOK. So while I wait until Thurs for them to call me back I chose to see if anyone here has ran into one of these situations before NOT to have some jerk reply to make himself feel important.

Anyways, I am going to do this as a SFR with an accessory unit (M in Law suite) with an illegal use in the attic subject to proof that the city will allow the use. I think that is best.

 

[Wendy]

Wade,

I'd check and see if you can find out some more info by reading the zoning ordinance - municode.com is my favorite source.

The ordinance should spell out exactly what is legal for the zoning. It's a start until the office lady gets back.

Good luck!