An FHA appraisal must be done by an appraiser who is on the FHA roster (their approved list). This is because they require a more thorough appraisal than what is usually done for a conventional loan. It is also important to note that if a property has already received a conventional appraisal it cannot be switched or converted into an FHA appraisal because there are still many elements that must be examined.
An appraiser who has been approved by the FHA will check for all the standard items first, but then take it a little further, and the minimal appraisal guidelines specify that a property must be free of hazards that could have an impact on a person’s safety and health. Some of the extra checks required for these appraisals include:
- Any issues with water damage and drainage
- A properly working heater and air conditioner
- Proper access or egress from the bedrooms to the exterior of the home
- Electrical systems must be available and up to code in each room
- Defective paint on the interior or exterior of older homes (i.e. no lead paint)
- Adequate water pressure and flushing toilets
- No leaky plumbing, and must have hot and cold, potable water
- A full inspection of attic and crawl space for ventilation and no dampness or deterioration
- Roof vents must be properly screened
- Leaky or worn-out roofs
- Any exposed wiring or missing electric box cover plates
- Structural problems that may have been caused by the house settling
- Smoke detectors that are properly installed and in working order
These are just a sampling of the things an appraisal will cover for an FHA loan. If you’d like to learn more about this process or find out what your options are, contact us today and speak with one of our professionals.