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The Body of Knowledge for Residential Real Estate Appraisal
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#1 VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12) Page 34
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Requirements 12-34 27. Attics Change Date March 28, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Appraiser Expectations Fee appraisers must view the interior of…
VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12)  ·  Ch12_Minimum_Property_Requirement_NEW 2022 02 17.pdf  ·  Page 34  ·  View at official source (VA.gov — Construction and Valuation) →
Requirements 12-34 27. Attics Change Date March 28, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Appraiser Expectations Fee appraisers must view the interior of readily accessible attic spaces. The appraiser is not required to climb into the attic. The appraiser is not required to move insulation or personal items that may hinder visibility. If there is no scuttle or other access to the attic, there is no requirement to provide access. b. Deficient Conditions If a deficient condition (for example, a water-stained ceiling or insufficient ventilation) is apparent, the appraiser must prepare the appraisal subject to the repair.
#2 VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) Page 445
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Minimum Property Requirements 12-34 27. Attics Change Date March 28, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Appraiser Expectations Fee appraisers must view the…
VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7)  ·  VA-Lender-Handbook.pdf  ·  Page 445  ·  View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →
Minimum Property Requirements 12-34 27. Attics Change Date March 28, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Appraiser Expectations Fee appraisers must view the interior of readily accessible attic spaces. The appraiser is not required to climb into the attic. The appraiser is not required to move insulation or personal items that may hinder visibility. If there is no scuttle or other access to the attic, there is no requirement to provide access. b. Deficient Conditions If a deficient condition (for example, a water-stained ceiling or insufficient ventilation) is apparent, the appraiser must prepare the appraisal subject to the repair.
#3 UAD 3.6 / URAR (FNMA) Page 99
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Dwelling Exterior Appendix F-1: URAR Reference Guide Page 99 of 375 Version 1.3 Dwelling Exterior: Factory Built Certification, Volume, and Window Surface Area Report Field ID…
UAD 3.6 / URAR (FNMA)  ·  Appendix F-1 URAR Reference Guide v1.3.pdf  ·  Page 99  ·  View at official source (fanniemae.com/uad) →
Dwelling Exterior Appendix F-1: URAR Reference Guide Page 99 of 375 Version 1.3 Dwelling Exterior: Factory Built Certification, Volume, and Window Surface Area Report Field ID Report Label When to Include Allowable Answers / Format Definition / Additional Guidance 8.016 Window Surface Area When requested by client Number of square feet The combined surface area for all windows in the structure. Note: When applicable, report the area provided. Attic Reference the appropriate government agency appraisal guidelines for more information. Dwelling Exterior: Attic Report Field ID Report Label When to Include Allowable Answers / Format Definition / Additional Guidance 8.017 Attic Required for FHA, USDA, and VA appraisals when Structure Design is not High-rise, Mid-rise, or Low-rise Yes | No Attic Exists: Indicates whether the structure has an attic. Notes: • For VA appraisals, “Yes” or “No” displays and no additional attic information is required. • For FHA and USDA appraisals: o When there is no attic, “No” displays. o When there is an attic, additional attic information is required. 8.017 Attic Required for FHA and USDA appraisals when Attic Exists is Yes Yes | No Attic Accessible for Observation: Indicates whether the attic is accessible for visual observation. • Yes • No (Inaccessible) 8.017 Attic Required for FHA and USDA appraisals when Attic Accessible for Observation is Yes Yes | No Visual Observation Completed: Indicates whether a visual observation of the attic, as defined by the applicable organization, was completed. • Yes (Visual Observation Completed) • No (No Visual Observation Completed) Remaining Economic Life and Effective Age Remaining Economic Life and Effective Age display in the Dwelling Exterior section for government agency appraisals when there is no Cost Approach section. Reference the appropriate government agency appraisal guidelines for more information. Dwelling Exterior: Remaining Economic Life and Effective Age Report Field ID Report Label When to Include Allowable Answers / Format Definition / Additional Guidance 8.018 Remaining Economic Life Displays for FHA, USDA, and VA appraisals when Cost Approach Developed by Appraiser is No Number of years The estimated number of years of the structure's remaining economic life.
Chief Appraiser Says Reading the actual guideline text below — never a general AI guess
# Garage Attic Access We looked through these guidelines and didn't find any specific passage about "garage attic access" as a defined term. The passages do address attic access generally—VA requires appraisers to view readily accessible attics without climbing into them or moving insulation—and the FHA/HUD handbook discusses securing garage doors during property preservation, but there's nothing that specifically addresses an attic space located above or accessed through a garage. If you're asking about a particular scenario, you may need to consult the full guideline chapters or contact your specific lender's requirements. Straight from VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12), VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), UAD 3.6/URAR, HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1, and 2024 USPAP — nothing added.
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