Where In The FNMA Guidelines Does It Tell Me

[Freeda]

Where in the guidelines do I find the information regarding an end townhouse being considered a semi-detached?

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Flashback 2006

https://appraisersforum.com/forums/threads/meaning-of-s-det-end-unit-on-1004.106723/

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Flash Forward 2018

B2-3-01: General Property Eligibility (06/05/2018) - Fannie Mae
https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/selling/b2/3/01.html
residential in nature as defined by the characteristics of the property and ... Dwelling units for security properties may be detached, attached, or semi-detached.

"Acceptable Dwelling Types
Dwelling units for security properties may be detached, attached, or semi-detached."

 

[Freeda]

Flashback 2006

https://appraisersforum.com/forums/threads/meaning-of-s-det-end-unit-on-1004.106723/

Read through these before posting. Everyone refers to the guidelines, but, I don't see it in there.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

See Post #3.

 

[Freeda]

Flash Forward 2018

B2-3-01: General Property Eligibility (06/05/2018) - Fannie Mae
https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/selling/b2/3/01.html
residential in nature as defined by the characteristics of the property and ... Dwelling units for security properties may be detached, attached, or semi-detached.

"Acceptable Dwelling Types
Dwelling units for security properties may be detached, attached, or semi-detached."

That is true. But, where does it say an end townhouse is semi-detached? I think we are all under the impression that townhouses are attached and semi-detached houses are 2 houses attached to each other. If there are 20 houses all attached to each other, how can the one on the end be considered semi-detached? I have an underwriter telling me this is what FNMA says, but, I can't find it.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

That is true. But, where does it say an end townhouse is semi-detached? I think we are all under the impression that townhouses are attached and semi-detached houses are 2 houses attached to each other. If there are 20 houses all attached to each other, how can the one on the end be considered semi-detached? I have an underwriter telling me this is what FNMA says, but, I can't find it.

send him Fannie's link ask him to send back the info he refers to

Townhouse is an architectural style/design - end unit on either side of a row of Thouses is attached on ONE side / i.e. semi-detached / semi-attached

example: the semi-detached END units v MIDDLE(attached) Thouses

 

[Freeda]

send him Fannie's link ask him to send back the info he refers to

Townhouse is an architectural style/design - end unit on either side of a row of Thouses is attached on ONE side / i.e. semi-detached / semi-attached

example: the semi-detached END units v MIDDLE(attached) Thouses

I'm trying to grasp this concept, but, here is where I am hung up:

This is the definition of a semi-detached house from the dictionary. In some parts of the Country they are also referred to as a twin or duplex. "A semi-detached house (often abbreviated to semi) is a single family dwelling house built as one of a pair that share one common wall. Often, each house's layout is a mirror image of the other."

The Appraisal Institute dictionary says, "One of a pair of dwellings with a party wall between them."

The above explanation and photo do not meet these definitions. A pair is 2, not more than 2. Also, the end of a row is not usually the same floor plan as the one it is attached to. An end of a row will sometimes be bigger and have more windows and ornamentation.

I don't mean to be a dope. I really do appreciate your help in trying to get me to understand this, but, after 33 years of calling a semi, a semi and the end of a row, an end of a row, I think I need to see FNMA's explanation and that is unfortunately what I can't find.

Somewhere in all of this there seems to be an implied reasoning that a semi-detached house and an end of a row house will have more value than other attached properties and due to this, FNMA puts them into the same category.

 

[TJSum]

Housing styles are regional, not typically mandated by Fannie/Freddie or any other national guidelines. In our region of the country a townhome attached on both sides is an attached townhome. A townhome attached on only one side is semi-detached. I typically avoid the use of duplex, because in some regions of the country that means two units.

The only time I've ever been questioned is when I had a semi-detached townhome subject on page 1 of the report, and then on page 3 had to mark attached in the PUD section because they only have two checkoff box choices, the UW couldn't get their head around that concept.

 

[Dublin ohio]

I'm trying to grasp this concept, but, here is where I am hung up

Screen shot from UAD appendix to selling guide