For those Agents who deal with FHA and VA financing, you understand how the required repairs can be frustrating, costly and time consuming. Sometimes the repairs may even kill your deal. As Philadelphia Appraisers we certainly understand your situation. That being said, let’s keep in mine that the repair requirements are intended to protect the borrower/veteran.
There are; however, a number of fixes that can be done proactively to reduce or eliminate FHA required repairs. Here is a list of five easy FHA repairs that can be done ahead of time that will save you and your seller time, money, hassle and in the end help the home get sold.
Defective Paint. This is one of the biggest FHA issues out there and one of the easiest to recognize and repair prior to listing. If a home was built prior to 1978, there is the potential for the presence of lead based paint. This applies to the dwelling and/or all related improvements (garages, sheds, barns, fences, outbuildings and appurtenant structures). The appraiser is to observe all interior and exterior surfaces including common areas, stairs, decks, porch, railings, windows and doors for defective paint (cracking, scaling, chipping, peeling or loose) and call for repair.
If these areas of distressed paint can be identified and taken care of ahead of time, your seller and you are ahead of the game which will result in saved time, money and hassle.
Please note that all repairs should be in compliance with HUD and EPA guidelines.
Missing Hot Water Heater Valve Extension. The FHA requires that all hot water heaters be equipped with an extension to the pressure relief value that extends to within six-inches of the floor. This is to prevent scalding should the valve release. As appraisers in Philadelphia, we run into this one all the time. The fortunate thing is that this is literally a $5.00 – $10.00 fix and can be done by almost anyone. This fix can easily save hundreds in appraiser re-inspection fees, hassle and lost time that could jeopardize the deal. Simply, go to the Plumbing Supply department of Lowe’s or Home Depot and explain your problem to an associate. If they can’t point you a pre-made extension, they will easily be able to show you to the components to make one for yourself.
(HINT: If you’re an agent that does a good deal of FHA/VA business in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties, you may want keep one or two of these in your car, just in case. Also, some extensions will require an elbow joint as well.)
Heater without Extension
Heater with Extension
GFCI Outlets. This is another one that we see all the time. Look at it this way, if your seller has an electrical outlet within six-feet of a water source (a sink, washer, toilet, shower/tub, etc) they should replace it with a GFCI outlet. If the outlet is already part of a GFCI breaker but doesn’t have the easy-to-see reset buttons, you may want to have a qualified electrical contractor write-up a certification to that effect prior to listing. Show the cert to the appraiser and buyers. It should take that FHA repair off the table.
Frayed Electrical Service Wires (ESW). As a Philadelphia Appraisal firm, we appraise a lot of older homes. Even if an older home has been updated, sometimes the exterior electrical elements can got forgotten. After years of exposure to the elements, the exterior (and some times interior) ESW can become cracked and frayed. This poses an obvious hazard. If your seller has this problem, recommend that the replace the exposed lengths of ESW. Again, it’s an easy fix that will save money, time and hassle in the end. It will also show the buyer that the seller has been maintaining the electrical service.
Non-Functional Appliances. With the new FHA Guidelines for appraisers, one of the new requirements is that the appraiser must test that all appliances are operational. While many appraisers feel that this is more a job for a Home Inspector, it is the way things are for now. So, if your client has an y appliances that are non-functional, it is recommended that they repair or replace them prior to listing. If the appraiser finds that they are not operational, the seller will have to repair/replace them anyway. So why not proactively take the problem out of the equation? The house will show better and there will be less wasted time, money and hassle.
By now, I’m sure you’ve caught on that these Five Fast FHA Fixes will all save your client and you a great deal of time, money and hassle. I hope you found this informative. If you have any questions about FHA repairs or any appraisal related matter reach out to us by email, phone or FaceBook. Also, feel free to ask about our FHA Pre-Listing inspections where one of our appraisers will visit a property and inspect it for any potential FHA repair issues, prior to listing.
The Coyle Group’s team of Philadelphia appraisers are a leading provider of appraisals for Estate/Probate, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Tax Appeal and Pre-Listing. If you need a guest speaker at your next sales meeting, please give us a call. We would welcome to opportunity to speak to your group and field any appraisal related questions you may have. For more information please visit our website at www.TheCoyleGroupLLC.com You can also contact The Coyle Group at 215-836-5500 or appraisals@coyleappraisals.com
Michael,
Thanks for the great tips. It is easy to see why The Coyle Group features the best appraisers in Philadelphia.
Thank, Casey! Really appreciate the comments and the fact that one of the best appraisers in Georgia is following the blog!
Great advice on easy ways to avoid trouble at closing on FHA financing.
Thanks, Gary! They are easy to do and unfortunately they are also easy not to do. To may sellers elect to ignore the easy fixes hoping they will be overlooked…
Excellent article! This is so helpful to Realtors and homeowners to be able to recognize any of these 5 common FHA issues that are most often responsible for holding up closings and costing extra money in re-inspection fees.
Seriously, how many times have we seen settlements postponed or even fall through due to relatively minor issues that could have been addressed up-front? Thanks, Tim!
Great article Michael as anyone looking for a Philadelphia appraiser should take note and give you The Coyle Group a call. I love that your service offers a pre-listing inspection as well as that can save agents and sellers so much time, money and effort by addressing any FHA repair items that need to be taken care of up front. Keep up the great work. There’s a reason why The Coyle Group is the leading appraisal company in the Philly area!
Thanks for the comments, Roy! We’ve found that a lot of homeowner and Agents really want to be educated on FHA and appraisal issues. We really try to take the time to help them understand exactly what it is we appraisers do and why we do it. Thanks, again!
Great info Mike. I know here in Chicago we have major issues with the chipped/peeling paint issue and I’m sure you do in Philadelphia as well. Luckily your clients have the best Philadelphia appraiser to advise them 🙂
Old cities, old houses. Thanks for the comment, Paul.
Great tips for FHA appraisals. I agree that if these can be done before the appraiser comes out it can cut down on the return trips and additional fees.
You’re right, Tom. Those reinspection fees can really add up! So many of the repairs could easily be done prior to the appraisal. Thx for the comment!