VA Appraisal (loan, escrow, 2013, loan)

[olecapt]

Just lost a bid on a REO to a VA financed buyer. Place was missing the main slider in the rear which was boarded up. Can you get a VA loan with a main entrance boarded up?

I would of thought you would have to fix that...but I know this REO outfit will not.

[rjrcm]

If it's still in escrow and not yet appraised, they may be in for a surprise.

[SmartMoney]

If it's a main entrance, there will be a problem. But if its a slider leading to a a future deck/patio area and it's boarded up as per county code, then yes, it's legal. (like you see on a new home when the family opts for a future deck).

If there are no other entrances to the front or side, I wouldl say it's in for a problem. I just had a VA die today due to paint and wood rot and a garage door off track.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by SmartMoney

If it's a main entrance, there will be a problem. But if its a slider leading to a a future deck/patio area and it's boarded up as per county code, then yes, it's legal. (like you see on a new home when the family opts for a future deck).

If there are no other entrances to the front or side, I wouldl say it's in for a problem. I just had a VA die today due to paint and wood rot and a garage door off track.

It is the only other exit from the house. Exits into the back yard. Boarded with two sheets of half inch plywood bolted to 2/4s. I doubt there is any code on that.

[SmartMoney]

I checked the VA Lenders Handbook, which defaults to local code. In Northern VA, you can have a missing door, as long as it's permanently boarded. Granted the jobs are neater and are typically found on new homes where sliders have 2 x 4s nailed on the outside to prevent falling.

I then did a search on an appraisers forum and found this comment:

Hello everybody,

I have a property with a rear sliding door without steps or deck. The door is 3-4 ft high. Is this property insurable FHA or not. The door can be locked with the normal latch for a sliding door so in my view this is a hazard.

Thanks!

A few of the appraisers go on to recommend conditioning the appraisal for repair and steps......and we get to this comment -

Whoa big fellers...

The door could be blocked off and that would be suitable also. My recommendation...add some steps.

Followed by this reply.

not for VA. i must be on heavy rotation down at the VA because i got a stip letter for this very thing about a year ago.

i assured the borrower to just go get a 2x4 while i was there and screw it over the door so i could take some pics.

If safety and code are not a factor, I suspect they may let it go. But where a door is boarded shut, I'm willing to bet there are other problems as well.

[olecapt]

Interesting. In our case it was a perfectly working door that someone kicked in. The rest of the house is fine...just that the slider is gone and the opening where the sliding part would be is boarded up.

Actually not a big deal...we had a quote of $600 to replace the whole slider unit with a good quality new one...easier than trying to fix the sliding piece.