FHA Appraisal Inspections: What We Look For

andrewp673
Apr 11
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Curious about what an FHA appraisal inspection involves?

In this video, we take you along on a real FHA residential appraisal inspection here in San Antonio.

When you're buying or refinancing a home with an FHA loan, the appraisal process is more than just determining market value. The appraiser is also making sure the home meets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) minimum property standards. That’s exactly what we demonstrate in this behind-the-scenes video.

🏠 What is an FHA Appraisal?

An FHA appraisal includes two key parts:

Determining the Market Value of the Property: Just like any other appraisal, we evaluate the home's size, location, condition, and recent comparable sales.
Checking for HUD Safety and Habitability Standards: FHA has strict guidelines to ensure the home is safe, sound, and secure for its future occupants.

🔍 What We Inspect During an FHA Appraisal

Here are a few things we're looking for during an FHA residential appraisal inspection—some of which you’ll see in the video:

✅ Roof Condition – Must have at least 2 years of remaining life with no major defects.

✅ Foundation and Structural Integrity – No major cracks or signs of shifting.

✅ Electrical Systems – Proper function and no exposed wires or unsafe outlets.

✅ Plumbing and Water Access – All bathrooms and kitchens must be operational.

✅ HVAC – The home must have a working heating system (cooling is not required but checked).

✅ Safety Hazards – No peeling paint in homes built before 1978 (lead hazard), no trip hazards, exposed nails, or broken windows.

✅ Water Drainage and Exterior Grading – Must direct water away from the home’s foundation.

✅ Access to the Property – Safe access to the home and all outbuildings must be available.

✅ Attic and Crawl Space Access – We visually inspect these areas to check for ventilation, moisture, and pest issues.

✅ Utilities Must Be On – The home must have utilities turned on at the time of inspection to check systems properly.

💡 Why This Matters

If you’re a buyer using an FHA loan, the results of this appraisal can affect whether the loan is approved—or delayed. Sellers also benefit from knowing ahead of time what could potentially hold up a transaction.

Our goal at Maverick Appraisals is to provide thorough, timely, and FHA-compliant reports that make the process smooth for everyone involved.

📍 Serving San Antonio with FHA Appraisal Expertise

We work with homeowners, lenders, and real estate agents throughout San Antonio and the surrounding areas to complete accurate, compliant FHA appraisals.

Whether you're buying your first home, refinancing, or selling to an FHA-approved buyer, we’re here to help.