FHA’S TOP FIVE ITEMS OF REPAIR

The following five items are seen by Appraisers more often than any other repairs listed on the VC Sheets. If you would like to expedite your closings and save your clients time and money, make them aware of these five repair items.

1. PEELING PAINT: For properties built after 1978, any and all peeling paint on the exterior of the dwelling must be scraped and painted with two coats of neo-lead base paint. For properties built prior to 1978, any and all peeling paint on the interior and exterior and including all detached improvements must be painted with two coats of neo-lead base paint. Example: storage building, decks, patios, fences, detached quarters, etc. The detached improvement may be demolished and removed from the property as an alternative to scraping and painting.

2. GAS WATER HEATERS: Must be at least 18 inches above the floor level. Exception: if the water is electric, if the gas water heater is within the living area, or if the water heater is contained in its own area no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet with proper ventilation outdoors. If the room is large enough to store anything else other than the gas water heater, it must be raised.

3. UTILITIES: All utilities must be turned on or the Appraiser will have to come back to re-inspect.

4. STEPS WITHOUT HANDRAILS: Anything with more than one step must have a handrail. This includes both interior and exterior.

5. PLUMBING LEAKS: Nine out of ten leaks noted are found under the kitchen sink. Flush toilets and checks water lines, run water in all sinks and check fittings under the sink, check bathtubs and showers to ensure they are working properly. Make sure the hot water is turned on at time of inspection.