Appraisals are changing again.
Fannie Mae and and Freddie Mae have decided to change the way appraisers describe the quality and condition of homes.
Appraisers have always described properties as being: Good, Average, Fair or Poor – sometimes adding “very good” or “excellent” or fudging with “low-average” or “average-” – knowing that a lower condition or quality review of the home as fair or poor – you probably killed the deal.
Going forward, appraisers will need to define condition on a C1 – to – C6 scale and quality on a Q1 to Q6 scale. 1 is considered the best – for condition a new or unlived in dwelling. A C6 condition is a property with substantial damage or other major maintenance issues.
For views, appraisers will need to use the following codes: A, B or N — what do they mean: A = adverse (hurts value or marketability); B = Beneficial (that’s good) and N = Neutral. and if it is a view lot – how about B;MTn;Wtr — what? Are you confused yet?
Now if you have 2 and 1/2 baths the correct way to show the count will be 2.1 and if the house has 2 1/2 baths = 2.2
For Kitchens and baths we will need to report if they have been “updated” “not updated” or “remodeled” and if the work was done in less than 1-year; 1-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years ago or unknown. An updated bath might have a new toilet, and remodeled bath an all new shower.
The change is designed to give more specific information. By using numbers, and not wiggle words like “average”, will help in underwriting loans.
The worse news is, homes rated Q5 and Q6 will NOT be allowed to be sold on the secondary market. So if an appraisal comes back as a Q5 or Q6 (something few of us will know in advance), the loan likely will be denied by your lender.
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