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Scott Godzyk, One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents (Godzyk Real Estate Services)

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3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Lately, FHA appraisers have been doing all kinds of stuff they never did before.  Like, they might ask the agent to get them copies from the owner for permits - which is scary in DC because until about 10-years ago, almost nobody got them!

Sep 30, 2016 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Parked and waiting for comments from knowledgeable FHA appraiser or loan officer.

Thinking

Sep 30, 2016 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

If you can't get an appraiser to open an electrical box and check it out, I doublt if they will research permits.

Sep 30, 2016 01:27 PM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

NO. 

Sep 30, 2016 12:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No, but the do stick their 2 cents in on the roof which I still believe it out of their knowledge sphere.

I agree with Patricia Kennedy - they have jumped down into crawl spaces in recent years & have never done that or gone into attics for a peek.

Gene Mundt used to be an appraiser.

Sep 30, 2016 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,623
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Do not expect the appraiser to check for permits.

Sep 30, 2016 08:54 PM
Ambassador
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I've never seen permits in an appraisal so I don't think they do in my area.

Sep 30, 2016 03:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

i have never encountered an appraiser that did this as part of his job or evaulation of the property. The selelrs are to disclose that informatin and it is usually online in MLS.

Sep 30, 2016 02:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have never seen them do that not even years ago when they were more strict

Sep 30, 2016 01:36 PM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

You let big brother in the door, expect them to reach for all they can.

Learned long ago to avoid all the govt handouts, they all come with strings attached.

Sep 30, 2016 01:02 PM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Waiting for an answer from an FHA appraiser!

Sep 30, 2016 11:32 AM
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I am not an appraiser but I would say no

Sep 30, 2016 11:15 AM
Rainer
20,331
Megan Judd
Metropolis Real Estate Solutions, LLC - Orlando, FL

The issue usually comes in to play when the tax records don't represent the improvements. For instance, if I research the house and it's 1200 sq/ft according to the tax rolls but when I get there, the garage has been enclosed and now it's 1600 sq/ft, we have an issue. FHA will not lend on unpermitted additions and so if we notice it, we have to mention it. 

Mar 21, 2017 07:00 PM
Rainmaker
2,363,571
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am parked and reading too

Oct 01, 2016 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I'm not sure.  I don't think so, but I would ask an appraiser.

Oct 01, 2016 07:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,048
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It is NOT the job of any appraiser to do that!  The buyer can go to the city and check the permits if they so desire.

Oct 01, 2016 07:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No.

Oct 01, 2016 06:41 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,940
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Bingo..  Kenneth J. Jones, SRES, SFR, SCGREA has a great answer. We were just asked this question in one of sales meeting.

Oct 01, 2016 03:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,620
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Not sure if it's included in the "job description" of an appraiser, I look forward to learning more in your blog post next week.  

Oct 01, 2016 12:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

They do and I can't figure out when they got their home inspector's license.

Oct 01, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I don't think one is needed to pave a driveway .... but it's not the job of the appraiser...

Sep 30, 2016 11:45 PM
Rainmaker
5,217,433
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Think Ken Jones nailed this one!

Sep 30, 2016 11:27 PM
Rainer
283,833
Dusty Rhoton CLHMS, ABR, SRES, GRI
RE/MAX Fine Properties - Flagstaff, AZ
Northern Arizona Real Estate

As a former appraiser who also did FHA appraisals, I can only say that yes the appraiser can ask for permits and if the home owner did not have a permit for the addition built, then the lender would NOT include the unpermitted square footage as livable area.   FHA appraisers also look at the roof, foundation, lot grade, ventilation, mechanical systems, heating, electricity and crawl spaces (when present).

HUD's primary concern is the health & safety of the homebuyer who is going to live in the house.   I know a common problem in our area for FHA appraisals is any peeling paint on the home and outbuildings.   If reported by the appraiser, the seller cannot just paint over these areas - they must be scraped, appropriately prepared and then painted or the appraiser may not sign them off.  

HUD handbook 4150.2 is a good research tool and in a nutshell says the home "must be free of all known hazards and adverse conditions that may affect the health and safety of the occupants."  Here's the link regarding FHA appraisals that may help: 

http://www.fhahandbook.com/docs/41502ch3.pdf

Sep 30, 2016 11:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I would have to say no on this question.

Sep 30, 2016 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I am not familiar with the job description or legal requirements of such appraisers.  They do not operate in my great nation.

Sep 30, 2016 10:35 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

As far as I know, it is not. I believe it's the job of the listing agent to ensure their client had appropriate permits and the job of the buyer to verify.

Sep 30, 2016 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Mary Yonkers nailed this one!

Sep 30, 2016 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I would say no, but will bookmark to read further comments.

Sep 30, 2016 10:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Scott Godzyk - FHA appraisals go 'above and beyond' - so I am not surprised if they ask for the permits for finished basement!

Sep 30, 2016 03:43 PM
Ambassador
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

No, that's our job as listing agents to provide that information to the buyers' agents.  If I'm the buyers' agent and the LA doesn't have that information, it is my responsibility to obtain the information for my buyers.  The appraiser doesn't do this but, oftentimes the inspector will ask.

Sep 30, 2016 02:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I will give the apprasier all that documentation on the improvement with permit on all if I was the listing agent.

Sep 30, 2016 11:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I didn't think so

Sep 30, 2016 11:31 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,313
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

That type of diligence would not come under a standard appraisal methinks

Sep 30, 2016 11:29 AM