Well -- distance from the house

[Greg Parker]

I don't do FHA. Even if I did, I probably would not have an opportunity to know this as I do my work in Philadelphia.

I live in the far, far suburbs however, and the wife and I are thinking about doing a refi, and I thought I might get a better deal FHA. I measured where the well pump is, and it is about 35 feet from the house, and 200 feet down according to my home inspecton from when I bought the house. Is this even going to be an issue?

We've got public sewer... Someone who does rural areas help me out here Should I ask the bank about FHA or just go conventional?

 

[Tom Woolford]

If you are on sewer (and all your neighbors are), it is not an FHA issue.

 

[Mr Rex]

All you ever wanted to know about private water sources and then some. Enjoy:

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ref/sfh1-21b.cfm

 

[Greg Parker]

Thanks guys.

 

[RSW]

Doesn't appear to be a FHA issue from what you said. There may be other problems, such as close to commercial agricultural farming, etc..

 

[Karl]

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/appr/aprval.pdf


Utilities - Well and Septic
1. Is the appraiser still required to report well, septic and property line distances on an addendum to the URAR or is this only required when problems are noted? How is the lender to determine if these distance requirements are met if the appraiser is not required to identify?
The appraiser is not required to sketch the distances between the well and septic, however, he or she should be mindful of FHA's minimum distance requirements between private wells and sources of pollution (septic systems) in the performance of FHA appraisals; and, if discernible, comment on them. Prudent appraisal practice would have the appraiser requesting a copy of a survey from the homeowner, if available.
If the appraisal notes a distance issue it could be potential for contamination. If the appraisal notes any adverse site conditions, that may warrant further inspections or due diligence. In either case, it is the lender's decision as to whether a qualified third party should map the distances and/or require testing for compliance with local or state requirements, or, in their absence, FHA requirements. Appraisers are expected to have geographic competency, which would include familiarity with local or customary inspection requirements. Local or customary requirements should be noted within the appropriate area of the appraisal report. However, the decision to require a test, certification or inspection, other than what is automatically required as noted in ML 2005-48, is made by the lender and FHA requires the lender to be familiar with the market areas in which they lend.
2. Is it mandatory for a well/septic report to show distance to lot lines?
There is no standardized well/septic report and its contents would typically be determined by what is requested. If a lender determines that there is a need to confirm distances between well and septic systems, or lot lines, then the lender would specifically request that a qualified third party measure such distances.