FHA Inspection Requirements for Sellers

FHA Inspection Requirements

Sometimes homebuyers applying for the FHA loan to finance a home get their application denied because their target purchase property does not meet the FHA home inspection requirement. 

Before the approval of the FHA loan, the home the buyer wants to purchase must fulfill all the FHA home inspection requirements. 

In other words, the value of the home must be in tandem with the purchase price and, in addition, have basic home amenities such as drinkable water, stable electricity, adequate heat, fire exits, decent roof, etc. - a standard created with the lender's interest in mind. 

This guide will discuss the entire FHA inspection process and what to expect. 

First, what does an appraisal mean? 

Here's a quick, detailed definition. Appraisals generally are an expert assessment of certain property (in our case, a house) to measure its value. 

For FHA loans, appraisals are necessary to measure the value of the home that is ready for purchase. 

The inspector checks the properties in the area that have sold recently and compared their prices and values. He or she will, as well, visit the subject house for a thorough evaluation. We'll get more into details in the next section. 

FHA inspection requirements for sellers

A typical mortgage lender wants an appraisal of the home's real value to confirm if the house is worth the price. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) holds the FHA inspection in high esteem and also advises buyers to thoroughly check the home's condition before buying. 

The home must meet certain safety and security standards before it can pass inspection. 

A certified, HUD-approved property appraisal conducts the FHA inspection. The critical requirement of a home is that it should unconditionally cater to the security, safety, and comfort of the occupant and their properties. And the structure must be devoid of future danger. 

The inspector evaluates the home (keeping certain factors under check) and decides whether it meets the FHA standard. 

The inspector takes the record down on a Uniform Residential Appraisal report if it's a detached single-family home. If certain issues require rectification, the inspector lists them out. And until those issues are resolved, the loan approval status remains pending. 

The certified inspector is only performing his duty. No worries. He will get to the drawing board and compare the home's value with similar houses recently sold in that area. However, all in all, safety and health sits on top of the HUD and FHA's priority list. Your health and safety first. Others follow. 

Once the evaluation process is completed, the inspector gives the forms to the lender to evaluate. The loan process continues once the lender approves the input. But if the home breaches in one or any of the requirements, it must be addressed before the loan can be approved. 

So you should know what the inspector is looking out for during the inspection phase. 

What do appraisers look out for during an inspection?

The FHA inspection process involves a strict examination of a home and its properties. 

The appraiser scouts through every part of the home and document its structures, layout, and other important details. 

He also closely watches out for hazardous or 'future hazardous' features of the home that should be catered to before the loan can be approved. Below are a few potential hazardous conditions:

Roofing 

The roof must be strong and durable enough to last for at least three years and must be ready to keep moisture out. 

Additionally, the roofs are expected to have a maximum of three layers. If it's more than that and/or the appraiser detects many damages, a new roof must be installed. 

Structure

The structure must be safe enough for the occupant to live for at least three years. Severe breaches like leakages, decay, dampness, termite damages, and more, can cause property inspection to fail. All FHA required repairs should be made hastily in order to avoid loan disapproval. 

Electric, water, and heating;

Each room must have a properly functioning heating source. But there are certain exceptions to this requirement, especially in places with mild winters. 

The water heater must also follow the local building codes. In addition, electric boxes with naked or damaged wires are prohibited. 

Safety hazards

An appraiser would thoroughly check for properties with potential safety issues, like asbestos. 

For example, If the appraiser discovers a potential problem with the asbestos, an asbestos repairer's service will be required here. Unfortunately, not all potential hazards are obvious. 

Location

A property may fail inspection if it is located in a noisy area or an area that's federally described as a hazardous waste site.

Below is the list of what won't pass FHA inspection: 

  • Heavy traffic

  • Nearness to transmission towers, airport, and power lines 

  • Proximity to the petroleum line or an area subjected to future explosion 

  • Nearness to areas with disturbing noises

Access

The home must be located in areas with easy access to vehicles and pedestrians, more importantly, emergency vehicles. The home must be accessible regardless of weather conditions. You don't want a waterlogged area that is prone to flood during excessive rain. 

Overall, these are the issues that an inspector addresses during FHA home inspection. 

Visit the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeownership Center Reference Guide for additional info. 

What are the exceptions to FHA loan requirements? 

The FHA loan inspection requirements may seem strict. But it's not, because all the detected issues are solvable. The FHA minimum property standards don't focus unnecessarily on little cosmetic issues, the everyday wear and tear, or even delayed maintenance. 

These factors might escape inspection, as long as it doesn't threaten your safety, security, and wellbeing. Here are examples of such cases: 

  • Cracked or damaged doors, windows, and other operable and functioning features 

  • Ineffective workmanship 

  • Misplaced handrails 

  • Damage floor finishes 

My home just failed an FHA home inspection - is there a way out? 

First off, you need to figure out why your home failed the home inspection and which FHA appraisal subject to repairs. Most times, rejections are based on rectifiable factors. The sellers might only need to repair the electrical system. Or maybe the heating system does not work correctly and needs a little repair. 

Besides, the seller might want to increase the purchase price to make up for the repair expenses. 

However, if the property failed inspection because of severe structural damage, it's best for the seller to sell to a buyer who isn't getting the FHA loan. And if you're the buyer, you may need to look elsewhere for your home. 

Alternatively (and favorably), you might resolve to repair your credit score before continuing your search. This way, you should be able to take on the conventional mortgage and also get a good mortgage rate. 

Wrapping up 

FHA loans can help buyers purchase their first home. A HUD-certified appraiser inspects the home to ensure the FHA minimum property standards are met. The property must be safe, sturdy, and secure to live in. To keep your property investment secure, you should get an FHA home inspection that will let the price of the home correlate with its value. 

In the event that the home does not meet up with the FHA minimum property standards, and the seller is not ready to make the necessary repairs, the buyer should move on to another property. 

Tips for selling your house fast 

The stress of going through the FHA home inspection can be tiring. On top of that, you may fail the inspection altogether. 

You may find yourself in a condition where the only option you have left is to sell your house fast

The house might be subjected to certain unfavorable conditions like being underwater, multiple stakeholders trying to fight their share, or maybe your home does not fulfill the FHA home inspection requirements. 

Before selling a property, you should understand the steps to take. You have to do the FHA inspection, clear any debt associated with the property, perform any pending maintenance, and do more. And, there are also fees related to home selling. 

If you don't want to go the FHA way and want to sell your house for cash,  get in touch with House Buyers of America. We buy houses fast and hassle-free. With our years of experience in the real estate industry, you can expect the fair cash offer, all from the comfort of your home. Give us a call at 855-659-3289 or complete our online form to take away the home inspections' stress and start selling your home today! 


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