Does Fha Require Inspection Of Attic
This has led to much frustration and confusion on the part of buyers and sellers alike.
Does fha require inspection of attic. For a federal housing administration fha loan to be approved the home must pass an fha inspection and appraisal. Fha does not require a home inspection just an appraisal. So let me start by giving you the simple answer. But they also require a property inspection to make sure the home meets hud s minimum standards for health and safety.
If unable to observe the entire attic or crawl space area the appraiser must report the scope of the observation what was observed and based on this whether the appraiser recommends further inspection. It is hud that establishes all rules and guidelines for this program. The appraiser is not required to disturb insulation move personal items furniture equipment or debris that obstructs access or visibility. Fha does not require a home inspection.
Head and shoulders is the alternateto a full inspection. The appraiser must inspect the attic for evidence of possible roof problems. Because there is no definition of attic assumptions have been made by fha and appraisers that the attic includes any space above the ceiling and below the roof inside dwellings despite that space in modern design homes typically not having any flooring. Fha has always had a requirement for appraisers to inspect attics.
It s what makes the fha appraisal process unique. This is the double duty mentioned earlier. Inspection the attic must be examined whether access is by pull down stairway or scuttle. The appraiser must observe the interiors of all attic spaces.
As most realtors know when your customer is purchasing a home and going with a fha mortgage there must at least one mandatory fha inspection that must be completed by the lender prior to the closing. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation online regarding fha appraisal and inspection requirements. The fha loan program is managed by the department of housing and urban development hud. Hud does not require fha borrowers to have a home inspection.
Fha appraisers are required to observe the attic area. Clarifies that fha requires an inspection. But they strongly encourage it. The guidance in this faq is effective for case numbers assigned on or after september 14 2015.
So the primary difference between fha and regular appraisals is the level of inspection that is required by hud. At a minimum the appraiser must enter head and shoulders into the attic. If the inspection reveals the need for roof repairs and the. However hud fha does not have a real definition of attic in their documentation.
That means it must be worth the purchase price and have such basics as electricity drinkable water adequate heat a stable roof fire exits and more.