Big Bear Appraisal Blog

FHA PROPERTY INSPECTION CHECKLIST

FHA IS CONCERNED ABOUT 3 PRIMARY ISSUES REGARDING REAL PROPERTY:

SAFETY - PROTECT THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS

SECURITY - PROTECT THE SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY

SOUNDNESS - CORRECT PHYSICAL DEFICIENCIES OR CONDITIONS AFFECTING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MOST COMMON FHA RELATED CALL BACKS AND REPAIRS I ENCOUNTER IN THE BIG BEAR AREA. 

LEAD BASE PAINT - HOUSES BUILT BEFORE 1978 - PEELING AND CHIPPING PAINT ON THE DWELLING EXTERIOR, INTERIOR, FENCES, AND OUTBUILDINGS MUST BE REMOVED AND THEN RE-PAINTED TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE LEAD PAINT ISSUES.  BARE WOOD MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS NO MATTER WHEN THE HOUSE WAS BUILT.

ACCESS TO PHOTOGRAPH ATTIC AND CRAWL SPACES FOR "HEAD & SHOULDERS" INSPECTION IS REQUIRED.  WATER HEATER DOUBLE STRAPPING, CARBON MONOXIDE & SMOKE DETECTORS ARE REQUIRED AND WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED.

ALL UTILITIES ARE TO BE ON AND APPRAISER INSPECTS OPERATION OF THE HOT WATER HEATER, PLUMBING FIXTURES, THE HEATING SYSTEM AND A REPRESENTATIVE NUMBER OF WINDOWS, LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS.

A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ROOF FROM THE GROUND IS MADE TO DETERMINE IF A MINIMUM OF 2 YEARS LIFE EXPECTANCY REMAINS, AND IF IN DOUBT, A ROOF CERTIFICATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS AND STRUCTURAL INADEQUACIES INCLUDING:  SIGNIFICANT FOUNDATION STEM WALL OR SLAB CRACKS, BROKEN DECK POST & PIERS, LOOSE DECK BOARDS OR STAIR TREADS WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED.

ELECTRICAL SERVICE - NO FUSE BOXES OR EXPOSED WIRING ALLOWED

GRADING - NO STANDING WATER PROXIMATE TO DWELLING, GRADING SHOULD BE AWAY FROM STRUCTURE.

WELLS: MUST BE LOCATED AT LEAST 10 FT FROM THE PROPERTY LINE, 50 FT FROM A SEPTIC SYSTEM AND 100 FT FROM THE SEPTIC DRAIN FIELD.

MANUFACTURED HOMES REQUIRE AN ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATE ON THE FOUNDATION

NO LONGER REQUIRED

INSTALLATION OF A STOVE (THIS IS SOMETIMES REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL LENDER/INVESTORS)

BEDROOMS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE CLOSETS, BUT MUST HAVE PROPER EMERGENCY EGRESS

COSMETIC ISSUES NOT REQUIRING REPAIR INCLUDE - CRACKED WINDOWS, SOILED CARPET, WORN FLOORING OR COUNTER TOPS, MINOR DRYWALL DAMAGE, CRACKS IN DRYWALL, LEAKY FAUCETS

THIS CHECKLIST IS PROVIDED TO REALTORS AND HOME OWNERS IN BIG BEAR, TO ASSIST IN PREPARING PROPERTY FOR AN FHA APPRAISAL INSPECTION AND TO HELP AVOID RE-INSPECTION EXPENSE AND DELAYS.  THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE LIST AS INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME BY ACTION OF FHA/HUD.