30 REASONS WHY A HOME DOES NOT MEET FHA ELIGIBILITY

Some Realtors and many home sellers mistakenly worry about the FHA inspection done at appraisal. Here are the 30 most common flagged repairs.

1. Lead Paint – There should be no lead paint in the home. Lead paint has not been used in decades.
2. Evidence of Mold – Mold can be extremely dangerous and must be removed from the home. Homes with mold will not pass inspection regardless as to whether the loan used is FHA
3. Termites – If the home has termites, it must be dealt with professionally. Termites can ruin the structural integrity of an FHA approved homes must be free from termites even if there is some prior termite damage. If you are buying or selling a home with termites, make sure you get a certificate of protection.
4. Asbestos and Other Hazardous Materials – Asbestos can be found in many older homes. It was used for many different types of building materials years ago. Homes that still contain asbestos may need to have it removed professionally.
5. Failing Septic System – Septic systems are expensive to replace and must be functioning during the sale of an FHA funded home.
6. Inadequate Bathrooms – Each bathroom must include a toilet and a sink and there must be at least one shower in the home.
7. No Access to Reliable Drinking Water – There must be access to drinking water and that water must also be safe to drink. The home must also have reliable hot water.
8. Missing or Broken Handrails – This one is obvious and easy to fix. If you are selling a home you should fix all handrails before inspection.
9. Broken Stairs – If you have any staircase inside or outside of the home, they all must be fully functional and not in disrepair.
10. Poor Roof Conditions – If the roof is leaking, is severely damaged or has three layers, it will need to be repaired or replaced before the house can be considered an FHA approved home.
11. Failing Electrical Systems – This includes any exposed wiring at any outlet or at the panel.
12. Plumbing Leaks – The plumbing systems must be in full working order with no leaks.
13. Bedrooms that Do Not Meet Standards – Every bedroom must have a way to escape externally in the event of a fire either via a door or window. They also must have the ability to be entered via a standard door.
14. Broken Windows and Doors – All windows and doors must be repaired and working properly.
15. Failing or Unsafe Heating System – Every home must have adequate and safe heating systems.
16. Foundation Problems – FHA approved homes must have foundations that are stable and pass inspection. Cracks are ok if they are minor and are dealt with effectively.
17. Poor or Defective Construction – The home must be constructed to code and not have visible signs of defect or poor quality.
18. Water in Basement – Basements need to be free from leaks
19. Inaccessible Crawl Spaces – Crawl spaces must have the ability to be accessed, be free of debris and standing water.
20. Floors in Disrepair – Floors much be finished, wood floors cannot be warped and carpet must be in livable condition.
21. Kitchen Appliances – Every home must be sold with a stove and any appliances that are sold with the home must be in working order.
22. Proximity to Hazardous Waste – If the home is adjacent to, or nearby a hazardous waste area, gas pipeline, or oil well, then the home may not be FHA eligible.
23. Proximity to Power Lines – If the home is too close to power lines, then it may not be an FHA approved home.
24. Proximity to an Airport or Traffic – The home should not be too close to an airport (flight path) or alongside busy traffic such as a highway.
25. Swimming Pools in Disrepair – If the pool does not have a pump that works or a torn liner, then the home may not be FHA approved. The pool also must be secured by a fence according to local code requirements.
26. Tripping Hazards – The exterior of the home shall not have any tripping hazards. This refers to permanent structures or large objects that can result in a trip and fall. A bicycle left on the walkway does not constitute a tripping hazard.
27. Inadequate Walkway or Driveway – Every home must have an adequate walkway or driveway. Likely paved or crushed stone.
28. Access to front Door – The front door of the home must be accessed easily without having to pass through a separate living area.
29. No Certificate of Occupancy – Every home must have a certificate of occupancy before it can be funded with an FHA loan. This applies to new construction as well as older homes that are in disrepair.
30. Broken Fences – If there is a fence around the home, it must not be in disrepair. It is better to have no fence than a broken fence.