Here is one quick tid-bit for FHA appraisal inspections:
Does FHA allow bare wood on the exterior of a house? No. Regardless of the age of the house (pre-1978 or newer), wood must not be bare and exposed directly to the elements. This goes for both the house and any structure on the property (outbuilding, shed, barn…).
Regarding required repairs, it is common for HUD to require repairs when there is bare wood, a defective paint surface (chipping, flaking, cracking or peeling paint) or evidence of active infestation by wood destroying insects. In these instances, the first step is to cure the defective paint surface or replace the damaged wood if applicable and make sure to properly seal the structure (sealant or paint).
Please let me know if you have any questions. I am experienced with FHA appraisals and I am doing quite a few of them these days. Lenders, banks, loan officers, brokers and home owners can still choose their own appraiser for FHA deals and I would be very glad to be selected by you.
www.SacramentoAppraisalBlog.com Does FHA Allow Bare Wood? – A Tidbit for FHA Appraisal Inspections in the Sacramento Area
I’ll be honest. As a father of two small children, it gets to me a bit to see toys and kid stuff left behind at properties I inspect. Since I do appraisals for companies that manage foreclosure inventory for banks, I often end up being one of the first people to enter a house once the previous owners are gone and new locks have been installed. It’s telling to see what people leave behind, and the various bits of rubbish and leftovers almost give a glimpse into what used to go on in the house. This is a job that someone has to do because the house needs to resell, but it’s a bit raw to see remnants of people’s lives.