Which Mortgagee Letter

[NJ Valuator]

Which Mortgagee Letter or HUD update posted all of the changes including commentary regarding the deletion of the head and shoulders requirements for attic and crawl?

 

[Carnivore]

All the mtg letters are now incorporated in 4000.1


I would look in the han dbook starting somewhere around page 550 that's "Appraiser Property Requirements for Title II Forward and reverse mortgages

https://www.HUD.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/handbook_4000-1

AllRegs Online

Good Grief HUD has done it again , making it difficult to download the entire 4000.1

 

[The Bob]

https://www.HUD.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/letters/mortgagee

 

[Carnivore]

I recall where they supposedly waived that requirement. Problem is it is still in the 4000.1

Page 858 of the current 4000.1 dated below

j. Attic Observation Requirements (04/18/2023)The Appraiser must visually observe the interiors of attic spaces to the extent these areas are safely accessible. The Appraiser is not required to disturb insulation or move items that obstruct access or visibility.If the observation reveals evidence of a deficient condition (such as a water-stained ceiling,insufficient ventilation, or smell of mold, etc.), the Appraiser must report this condition, andrender the appraisal subject to inspection or subject to repairs in compliance with the RepairRequirements.The Appraiser must report when the attic space is not safely accessible. The Appraiser must complete the appraisal subject to inspection by a qualified third party only if further observation of inaccessible attic area(s) is necessary to determine compliance with MPR and MPS.

 

[NJ Valuator]

Mortgagee Letters

www.HUD.gov

any idea of the document number?

 

[Carnivore]

I have no idea how to find what your looking for,,,,

I do believe there is something. The issue is these mtg letters are some times temporary in nature.

 

[NJ Valuator]

I have no idea how to find what your looking for,,,,

I do believe there is something. The issue is these mtg letters are some times temporary in nature.

ok

 

[Tom D]

Excerpts: On January 18, 2023,
HUD issued an announcement regarding revisions made to Handbook 4000.1. According to the announcement, the revisions included “enhancements and revisions to existing guidelines and various technical edits.”
Clarifications to FHA appraisal requirements, including:
Under “Attic Observation Requirements,” a clarification was made regarding the appraiser’s obligation to “safely” access the attic. The language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the attic was deleted.
Under “Crawl Space Observation Requirements,” significant revisions were made, including removal of a bullet point list of MPR/MPS criteria for the crawl space. Also, language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the crawl space was deleted.
The changes outlined in the Handbook may be implemented immediately but must be implemented for FHA cases assigned on or after April 18, 2023

you don't need more than that. you can sign up to get HUD annoucements, but they mainly seem to be lender stuff.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I do not understand why at HUD cannot come to their senses and allow a selfie stick camera view of the attic. You can get a 10' long selfie stick camera and see as much of the attic as a "head and shoulders" inspection. HUD or not, FHA or not, it is actually somewhat important to inspect the attic for leaks, evidence of fire, or damaged rafters. Just because you do not have to inspect, doesn't mean you shouldn't. But HUD ought to know in the digital camera age, a head and shoulders inspection in not necessary if you can poke your GoPro and selfie up there. Set on Video, slowly rotate it, and pull a still shot from the camera video. Same with crawl spaces. I can poke the camera further into the space than I am going to crawl. I am not a skinny termite inspector. Seriously, FNMA and FHA need to update their protocols to make sense.

 

[Tom D]

if you read the HUD letter above, you don't need head or shoulders anymore. remember, these rules were made so very long ago. FHA appraising rules move very slow, with HUD rarely moving.