FHA Standards for Appraisal Inspection

I am frequently asked about possible home condition issues related to getting a FHA loan.  As provided by Deborah Pool, one of our leading appraisers, I believe you will find the below information useful and a resource to keep on file.

Gregg Anderson, Loan Consultant, imortgage, Medford, Oregon, (541) 646-3027, NMLS ID 385008

FHA Standards for Appraisal Inspection

HUD - FHA takes health and safety issues seriously and aims to ensure that our borrowers are purchasing a home that meets all FHA requirements.  The following is a list of items that will be required to be repaired if any health/safety issues are noted by the appraiser or discovered by the underwriter. 

1. Missing handrails.  Must have hand rails for 3 or more steps.
2. Cracked/broken window glass to be replaced.
3. Windows must be operable.
4. Minor plumbing leaks (such as leaky faucets).
5. Smoke detectors must be working.  Minimum of 1 per bedroom group.
6. Evidence of previous (non-active) wood destroying pest/organism damage where there is evidence of unrepaired structural damage.
7. Vegetation must be 6" from all structures.
8. Damaged plaster, sheetrock or other wall and ceiling materials in homes constructed pre-1978. (possible lead paint hazard)
9. Trip hazards
10. Homes with wood burning stoves or solar system as primary heat source must have permanently installed conventional heating system.
11. Home, yard or crawl space with debris and trash.
12. Inadequate access/egress from bedrooms to exterior of home.
13. Leaking or worn out roofs. If 3 or more layers of singles exist on a leaking/worn out roof, all shingles must be removed prior to re-roofing.
14. Evidence of structural problems.
15. Window bars in bedrooms require quick release latches. Local jurisdiction can require all windows to have quick release latches.
16. Defective exterior paint surfaces in homes constructed post-1978 where the finish is unprotected.
17. Well must be a minimum of 50' from a septic tank, 100' from drain field, and a minimum of 10' from any property line.

Above information provided courtesy of:

Deborah Pool, Deborah Pool Appraisal, CR00279 - Certified Residential

P.O. Box 308, Ashland, OR 97520

(541) 951-3324; appraisalpool@gmail.com