Walked away mid-inspection/vent

[MRB]

I do not interpret this as requiring the HO to install attic access if the is no access. Please cite your source.

There is no such requirement. The requirement is that the appraiser inspect the attic. Lack of access does not make the requirement go away.

2: Attics:
A. It is the homeowner/seller?s responsibility to provide clear access to these areas. FHA appraisers are required to observe the attic area.

B. Inspection:The attic must be examined whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. At a minimum, the appraiser must enter head and shoulders into the attic.

C. When there is no safe access to the attic the appraiser is to note the inaccessibility in the appraisal report.

http://portal.HUD.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/ref/sfhp1-24

 

[NC Appraising]

SAFE ACCESS??????




Attic

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]– Enter the attic and observe the interior roofing for insulation, deficient materials, leaks or readily observable evidence of significant water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. If any of these deficiencies exist, condition the appraisal on their repair and prepare the appraisal "subject to repairs" and/or "subject to inspection". [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of the scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry. [/FONT][/FONT]​

​

If the property does not have attic access, the appraiser should make the report "subject to". Usually if they want the loan, a 2 minute scuttle hole can be made.​

or make it "as-is" and​

recommended for rejection. ​

As noted above, they use the word MUST. If the attic cannot be inspected, it will not meet the minimal requirements for a FHA insured mortgage.​

Is an attic inspection required for FHA?

The appraiser must enter the attic and observe the interior roof structure and attic for evidence of leaks, water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring, deficient materials, deficient insulation and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry. If unable to visually evaluate the improvements in their entirety, the appraiser must contact the lender and reschedule a time when a complete visual inspection can be performed. The appraiser is not required to disturb insulation, move personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, snow, ice or debris that obstructs access or visibility.

Handbook 4150.2, Section 3-6A(9)
Mortgagee Letter 05-48

REFERENCE​

Handbook 4150.2, Section 3-6A(9); Mortgagee Letter 05-48

 

[MRB]

SAFE ACCESS??????

what is your question? it is not descriptive.

 

[MRB]

SAFE ACCESS??????




Attic

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]– Enter the attic and observe the interior roofing for insulation, deficient materials, leaks or readily observable evidence of significant water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. If any of these deficiencies exist, condition the appraisal on their repair and prepare the appraisal "subject to repairs" and/or "subject to inspection". [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of the scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry. [/FONT][/FONT]​

​

If the property does not have attic access, the appraiser should make the report "subject to". Usually if they want the loan, a 2 minute scuttle hole can be made.​

or make it "as-is" and​

recommended for rejection. ​

As noted above, they use the word MUST. If the attic cannot be inspected, it will not meet the minimal requirements for a FHA insured mortgage.​

Is an attic inspection required for FHA?

The appraiser must enter the attic and observe the interior roof structure and attic for evidence of leaks, water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring, deficient materials, deficient insulation and adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. The attic must be entered, at a minimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry. If unable to visually evaluate the improvements in their entirety, the appraiser must contact the lender and reschedule a time when a complete visual inspection can be performed. The appraiser is not required to disturb insulation, move personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, snow, ice or debris that obstructs access or visibility.

Handbook 4150.2, Section 3-6A(9)
Mortgagee Letter 05-48

REFERENCE​

Handbook 4150.2, Section 3-6A(9); Mortgagee Letter 05-48

nowhere does it say if there is no safe access, the appraiser is to condition the report, subject to running a drywall knife through a finely plastered ceiling to appease and overzealous appraiser.

 

[residentialguy]

nowhere does it say if there is no safe access, the appraiser is to condition the report, subject to running a drywall knife through a finely plastered ceiling to appease and overzealous appraiser.

That is up to the DEU to decide. Still subject to, not as-is. At least check box 4 stating an EA that nothing is wrong.

 

[CANative]

I do not interpret this as requiring the HO to install attic access if the is no access. Please cite your source.

Good for you in correctly interpreting that it would be inappropriate to require the HO to install attic access, or anything else for that matter.

The requirement for attic inspection still remains and if you can't inspect the attic the report has to be conditioned on an attic inspection. It's up to the HO and the DEU to figure out how to solve THEIR problem.

 

[MRB]

That is up to the DEU to decide.

absolutely. point well taken. hopefully grandpa didn't get one of these subject to "automatically demolishing your ceiling" appraisers as a follow up should he have had no access to his attic.

 

[MRB]

Good for you in correctly interpreting that it would be inappropriate to require the HO to install attic access, or anything else for that matter.

The requirement for attic inspection still remains and if you can't inspect the attic the report has to be conditioned on an attic inspection. It's up to the HO and the DEU to figure out how to solve THEIR problem.

Ok, automatically(operative word) condition the report to a roof inspection should it have been a flat roof that not visible from street? As you know we are to inspect all roof surfaces. Rhetorical question btw.

 

[CANative]

Ok, automatically(operative word) condition the report to a roof inspection should it have been a flat roof that not visible from street? As you know we are to inspect all roof surfaces. Rhetorical question btw.

Nope. This has been changed in the last couple of years. The appraiser does not have to observe the flat roof. Rather the appraiser is allowed to determine potential problems by observing the interior condition for leaks or other evidence of roof failure.

 

[MRB]

Nope. This has been changed in the last couple of years. The appraiser does not have to observe the flat roof. Rather the appraiser is allowed to determine potential problems by observing the interior condition for leaks or other evidence of roof failure.

absolutely, note in the report, just as when there is no safe access.