Kentucky FHA appraisals can take home buyers by surprise. That’s why we've put together some good-to-know info about the process. Feel free to use this to help educate your clients.
Your Kentucky FHA Home Appraisal Checklist
If you’re using an Kentucky FHA loan to buy a home (or selling to FHA borrowers), the property must pass an FHA appraisal, which determines the current market value and makes sure the house meets certain safety standards. Here is a list of items an FHA appraiser may look for:
General Health and Safety
- Foundation or structural defects
- Whether the utilities (water, sewage, heat, and electricity) all work
- Chipped or peeling paint in homes built before 1978
- Incomplete renovations
- Water damage
- If the property is accessible to vehicles, especially emergency vehicles
- Exposed wiring and uncovered junction boxes
- Whether the house is too close to outside hazards, such as a leaking oil tank or a waste dump
- Excessive noise, such as being close to an airport
- Missing handrails
Exterior
- Leaky or defective roof and holes in the siding
- Leaning or broken fencing
- Doors that don’t properly open or close
- Condition of gutters, chimney, stairs, railings, and porches
- If swimming pools are up to code
Every Room
- Whether each room has electricity
- Whether each room has a window or door to the exterior to be used as a fire escape
Kitchen
- Missing or broken appliances usually sold with a home, including stove and refrigerator
- Broken or leaking sink
Bathrooms
- Broken or leaking toilet, sink, or tub/shower
- No ventilation (either an exhaust fan or window)
Crawl space or basement
- Basement moisture
- Evidence of past or present standing water
Heating and Plumbing
- Inoperable HVAC
- Major plumbing issues and leaks
These are some common items an FHA appraiser looks for, but other issues that might make a house unsafe could keep it from passing. An FHA appraisal is not the same as an independent home inspection. It’s still a good idea to get a separate home inspection to make sure you’re making a wise investment!
Updated FHA Info Letter Sent July 12, 2022 for Kentucky FHA Appraisal Reports
✨Applies to case numbers assigned on or after June 1, 2022
✨Updates the initial appraisal validity period from 120 days to 180 days from the effective date of the appraisal report;
🙌🏼Extends the appraisal update validity period from 240 days to one year from the effective date of the initial appraisal report;
✨Allows the appraisal update to be ordered AFTER an appraisal expires; and
👊🏼Eliminates the optional 30-day extension.
✨This is big news for FHA ✨
The guideline change also puts FHA appraisal expirations on par with conventional loan expiration dates.🥊
List of Kentucky FHA Appraisers below:
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