FHA Loans Need Appraisals, Not Inspections

I get a lot of questions about FHA Inspections, and it's about time I sat down and blogged about it.  Here are the most common questions I get asked about standard FHA loans.  This information does not apply to FHA 203(k) Loans.

Can You Do The FHA Inspection? FHA loans do not require a home inspection, they require an appraisal.  The appraiser does this.  These are often mistaken for an inspection.  Home inspections are still strongly encouraged.

How Can I Pass The FHA Inspection? First, see above.  FHA appraisals require the appraiser to look for obvious defects with the house, but the appraiser never requires repair of these items - the underwriter does.  Trying to figure out exactly what might require repair is a bit of a guessing game, and often has much more to do with the people doing the appraisal and the underwriting than it does the property itself.  Nevertheless, here is a partial list of some common defects that get flagged:

• Chipping / Peeling / Flaking Paint
• Rotting wood
• Electrical outlets or switches that are defective
• Plumbing leaks
• Non-functional heating plant or AC
• Roofs with less than two years of life left
• Missing or badly damaged floor coverings
• Obvious structural problems

Do I Need A Home Inspection If I'm Getting An FHA Inspection? Again, see above.  FHA appraisals are not home inspections, and it's unfortunate that they get confused as such.  The FHA appraisal has nothing to do with a home inspection.

Do I Need An FHA Certified Inspector If I'm Getting An FHA Loan? No.  The home inspection is completely independent of the FHA loan.

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Minnesota Home Inspector