fha appraisal - foreclosure with bare concrete flooring (az)

15 years ago

We have found a foreclosure and are looking to buy using wells fargo FHA loan in Arizona.

As we understand, to approve an FHA loan the property must be appraised to determine if it is safe, sound, secure etc. With all the foreclosures going on we have also read that FHA loans can be secure with 'as is' FHA appraisals which are more relaxed on cosmetic problems. Given all this, we have a couple of questions

1. The home has some bare concrete slabs which, aside from having no carpet, are otherwise perfectly sound.

2. Also, the (3rd) one car garage has been converted into a room.

We have found contradicting info on if bare concrete slab flooring is acceptable for approval of an FHA home under an "as-is" appraisal. Some are adamant that FHA loans need carpets, some say we could paint the slab, others quote housing and urban development guidelines saying these have been relaxed and that flooring is classed as 'cosmetic' in existing buildings and therefore, the lack of flooring will not prevent us from securing the loan.

- So do we need carpets, paint on the floor, or is the bare concrete acceptable?

- The home is listed as an "as-is foreclosure" - does this mean the FHA appraisal will automatically perform an "as is" appraisal?

- Does the conversion of the garage have any other implications on the appraisal given it is all sound and secure aside from exposed slab floor?

Does anyone have any definitive answers (sources would be nice) or experience with these issues?

Thanks for any help!

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Comments (4)

pamghatten
15 years ago
Sorry, but I'm not going to be much help either. Each lender is going to have their own interpretation and/or requirements with regards to those items. You should really find a FHA lender to work with and find out what they will specifically require.

Carpet, per see is not a requirement .. but the home is supposed to be in livable condition, and bare concrete floors might not meet that requirement.
logic
15 years ago
In addition, if the garage conversion violates zoning..or if it was not done with permits and final inspections, that could cause complications as well.

Concrete has become a very trendy flooring materal...it can be found in million dollar plus homes; be that as it may, I can't see how they could require something different.
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Laura: Thanks for your kind words. I was excited by the possibility, but I knew that it would have been stressful in more ways than one. Sort of a relief to have a concrete reason not to move forward. The floors were damaged (lack of heating I think), but damage aside they were a really cheap bamboo to begin with plus they were really poorly done. I think the owner may have DIY'd them along with the horrific tile jobs in bathrooms. I'm just disappointed because I really want to be on some acreage already. Our current lot is so tiny and we have so many neighbors that back up to and along side our home, it is quite ridiculous. I'd like to have a vegetable garden, but I don't have the space. Forget having chickens, which I think would be great fun to do with the kids. Our drive way is so small we cannot even park two cars along side each other without going over edge into the grass. I could go on and on. However, I should be thankful for what we do have; a newer home in a safe, family friendly area with great schools. We can qualify for an FHA mortgage in 1.5 years and maybe a construction loan in another year or two past that. I just need to sit tight. Kirk: Honestly I think it is a teardown at this point. The longer it sits the more it deteriorates. Birds have gotten into the siding and according to the agent I spoke with, the birds have damaged some of the electrical work. The lack of heating has damaged the floors. I bet the foundation has a lot of water issues. The lot was originally part of the property to the north. It was divided up about ten years ago. This home was only 2300 sq ft, so not huge and obviously it couldn't be positioned on the lot without wetland issues. Pretty much the land would only be of use to the neighbor(s). There's just not a suitable spot for a house, and even if you squeezed a smaller home on it there's the whole well issue. Apparently the community well is full? So it needs to be hooked up to the water company and that would be quite expensive considering how far back the house sits from the road. It's such a shame. A total waste. And honestly, the listing should provide more information. It needs to indicate that is should be viewed as a teardown/ land only. Not to mention the price is WAY too high for a uninhabitable home on wetlands.
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sparksals
15 years ago
Considering you're in AZ, I bet carpet isn't a requirement and that concrete, if painted may be OK. It's awfully hot in most AZ places, so tile is the norm. I was talked out of putting carpet in my LR and DR in Tucson b/c it would prevent the house from selling.

I think this is one of those things that depends on region and the lender. Your lender may find concrete floors, albeit finished, are satisfactory in AZ. In Minnesota? Perhaps not b/c of the frigid winter.

Speaking of foreclosures, I was looking at listings in our area last night online. We're looking to refi to get a lower rate and I came across this as is foreclosure that was completely stripped and the buyer must spend $120K on the retaining wall. Look at all the price drops too:

If the link doesn't show the actual page (aka need a login), the MLS number is: 3468429 in Apple Valley MN

Here is a link that might be useful: Apple Valley MN stripped Foreclosure
mscratch
15 years ago
We purchased our home as an "AS IS" foreclosure with a VA loan.. I can tell you that there is no such thing as reduced pricing simply because it is listed as AS IS when it comes to a home loan if that is what you are asking? The lending party will inspect and appraise the house and property at what they consider a reasonable price whether you feel it is reasonable or not regardless of the asking price.. The inspection will reveal in written detail what is acceptable and what is not.. AS IS means as it stands NOW..meaning that the institution that owns it will not put any further work into that property for repairs etc. It's up to the foreclosing owners to decide if they will make any improvements such as roofing, etc. to get the property sold but usually AS IS means no further repairs unless the prospective buyers want to throw money into that property and bring is up to inspection codes before going to closing. It would be foolish to throw your own money into housing that may in the end not be yours.. Keep in mind that YOU will be paying for all inspections and appraisals most likely..we did anyhow.. I will admit freely that the VA and FHA have a very thorough inspection system which is for your benefit and we have dealt with both of these government backed loans. I will also mention from experience that foreclosures are almost certain to have liens of some type on them and ours was not discovered until the title search was completed and that lien must be paid off by the owning/foreclosure institution and that sure held up our closing date. I am sure others have had exceptionally good results with buying a foreclosed property, we didn't, and I will never deal with a foreclosed property again. I see nothing wrong with the concrete flooring as long as it's not cracked, it is acceptable flooring in different parts of the country. I would definitely contact the owning institution listed by way of the realtor and get your answers upfront as to who and what resposibilities are for each party. YOUR lending institution is there to safe guard you and themselves, not so with the sellers. Good luck and happy house hunting and get it ALL in writing!

fha appraisal - foreclosure with bare concrete flooring (az)

Comments (4)

pamghatten

logic

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sparksals

mscratch

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