CRAWL SPACE
- Must have access to all of the crawl space areas.
- Major water build-up in the crawl space is not
allowed and must be remedied.
- Any areas of wood rot must be removed and repaired.
- Ventilation & vapor barrier are required.
- At least 18" clearance is required from the floor
joist to the ground.
- If the crawl space has been dug out, the earth
cannot be disturbed within 1 foot of the stemwall or
pier supports. If the earth has been disturbed, then a
retaining wall should be installed.
- If a sump pump is used, it MUST be hard
wired. Extension cord hook-ups are an extreme safety
hazard and cannot be used.
ATTIC SPACE
- Access must be provided (except where there is no
attic space such as with some vaulted ceilings or in
mobile homes).
- The attic access opening cannot be smaller than 14"
x 22".
- Attic must be adequately ventilated, providing
positive airflow with no dead airspace.
ROOFING MATERIAL
- The roof must have at least 3 years of
remaining life.
- Estimated life expectancies:
- Rolled roofing:....................NOT
acceptable for FHA.
- Composition roofs:............average life
15-20 years
- Wood shingle:.....................average
life 16-22 years
- Built-up roofs:....................average
life 10-13 years
- Torch down roofs:.............acceptable
w/certification that roof was installed per
manufacturer's specifications.
- Metal roofs:.........................acceptable
w/certification that roof was installed per
manufacturer's specifications.
- Roofing on slopes of 2 1/2:12 or less MUST be
installed by a licensed roofer using built-up roofing
that meets the Uniform Building Code. Rolled roofing is
not acceptable.
- FHA will accept a maximum of 3 layers of roofing
material. If more than two layers of roofing exist
and re-roofing is required, all of the old roofing must
be removed as part of the re-roofing. The placement of
composition shingles over wood shake shingles is not
acceptable.
ELECTRICAL
- A single main shut-off breaker is required.
- If more than one breaker must be tripped to
disconnect the power, a new service panel is required.
- The main service must be at least 100 amp. If it is
less, a new service is required.
NOTE:
These electrical requirements
eliminate most pre-1960 homes that have not had an
electrical upgrade. If FHA is the only financing option,
then a 203K program should be considered to finance the
improvement.
HEATING
- The heating and cooling system must have at least
2 years of remaining life.
- Wood stoves or solar heating are not acceptable as
the sole heat source. NOTE: Coal or wood stoves with
automatic stokers are acceptable.
NOTE:
These heating requirements may eliminate most pre-1960
homes that have not had a heating system upgrade. If FHA
is the only financing option, then a 203K program should
be considered to finance the improvement.
HOT WATER HEATER
- MUST have an installed Safety Release Valve (SRV).
- The SRV must have a discharge line that drains to
the outside of the home. It cannot be reduced in size
from the valve outlet. In the case of a basement
installation with a drain the discharge line must
exhaust 6" to 24" from the floor.
NOTE:
The Safety Release Valve upgrade is usually under $20 for
the valve plus installation.
LEAD-BASED PAINT
- All properties built prior to
1978 should be considered as target housing for
lead-based paint hazards. Defective peeling/flaking
paint on any interior or exterior surface must be
identified and repaired following the EPA guidelines.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
- Homes with septic systems are acceptable.
- Evidence of septic tank pumping within the last 5
years is required.
WINDOWS FOR SLEEPING ROOMS
- Escape or rescue windows shall have a minimum net
clear openable area of 5.7 square feet. The minimum net
clear openable height is 24" and width is 20". The
maximum escape window sill height is 44".
NOTE:
These window egress requirements may eliminate most
pre-1960 homes that have not had a window upgrade. Small
basement windows can be enlarged and upgraded. It has been
my experience that most FHA Appraisers overlook this
requirement unless the windows are inoperable or are set
into an underground basement with 60" plus sill height. If
FHA is the only financing option, then a 203K program
should be considered to finance the improvement.
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