Single Family Home Requirements For an FHA Appraiser
The Federal Housing Administration currently insures more than six million single-family residences in the U.S. Homes must pass an appraisal and property condition assessment which is administered by an FHA-approved appraiser to determine whether they meet requirements for habitability. The appraiser examines the home for any apparent deficiencies which may affect the health and safety of occupants, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Health and Safety
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FHA approved appraisers examine one- to four-unit properties to determine whether they are habitable. FHA requires that a home meet specific health and safety standards to qualify for insurance. The home must be free of adverse conditions that affect structural soundness and impair the use and enjoyment of the dwelling. It must also be free of hazards such a toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, pollutants, potential damage from soil, ground movements, ground water, inadequate surface drainage, flood, erosion, on and off site, according to the FHA Handbook. Streets leading to the property must have adequate all-weather (road surface) pedestrian and vehicular access. Heating must be adequate and all mechanical systems must be safe to operate. Homes built prior to 1978 must not contain any chipped, flaking or peeling paint as it may be lead-based and defective.
Highest and Best Use
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An FHA-insured home must be appropriate for the site where it is located. The appraiser must determine the "highest and best use of the land," without regard to the improvements (structure) of the single-family home itself, according to the FHA Handbook. Based on an analysis of the site, the appraiser determines whether the structure is appropriate for use as a single-family dwelling, then selects properties equal in use and similar in features and characteristics to determine a value. This requirement is known as "suitability of use-type," according to the FHA Handbook.
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Repairs
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The appraiser must note any health and safety deficiencies and make a repair requirement to remedy the deficiencies in the appraisal report. Examples of required repairs for FHA insurability include broken windows, doors and steps, inadequate or blocked interior or exterior doors and steps without handrails, according to the FHA Handbook. Electric garage doors must stop or reverse the door function when met with resistance. FHA will insure the property only subject to satisfaction of each repair condition.
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References
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