LESSON 9: INTERIOR INSPECTIONS Flashcards
Interior Inspections:
There are several reasons your clients may want you to do an interior inspection. In most cases but not all, interior inspections are requested for a property that has already been foreclosed. These properties now belong back to the bank. The banks will order an interior inspection of a vacant property each month to determine if there are any conditions that they need to be aware of so that they can preserve the property.
In some cases, interior inspections are requested for properties that have not yet been in foreclosure. This means that you may encounter an interior inspection with the personal property still remaining inside. The mortgage company has the right to protect their interests if the property is not being maintained by the homeowner, or if the property is abandoned. A property in probate when the homeowner dies may take years before it returns to the mortgage company. In the meantime, someone needs to check up on the condition of the property inside and out and report any damages or things that need to be repaired to preserve the property
Interior Inspections:
Sometimes the opinion of the inspector is requested when it comes to recommendations to preserve the property. For example, does the property need to be winterized to protect the plumbing? Is there any mold growing in the house? Are there any insect or animal infestations that need to be addressed?
Not all vacant properties require an interior inspection. Read the instructions carefully. Some of your clients will have you complete an interior if the property is vacant. Other clients will tell you about the work code or the instructions. Always refer to the instructions. If in doubt, call your client or Account Manager.
PHOTO REQUIREMENTS
Front + Front Left + Front Right
Address
Street sign
Neighborhood
PHOTO REQUIREMENTS
In addition, take these photos as well:
The 1/3 middle section of ALL exterior doors showing lockbox present or missing.
Close view of lockbox showing the combination tumblers that opened the lockbox.
Close up view of the key laying inside the lockbox.
Close up photo of the keycode that you entered the property with.
Every Room in the House (Some clients require ceilings or 2 photos of each room)
Open Toilet (Capture bowl and tank bottom in one shot)
Furnace
Hot Water Tank (Water Heater)
Kitchen appliances (one photo of the kitchen if it captures all appliances)
Sign In Sheet
Sump Pump (Usually found in the basement) with volt stick photo proving elect. on or off
Dehumidifiers (If onsite)
All Damages
Personal Property Items
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT AN INTERIOR INSPECTION ON AN OCCUPIED PROPERTY!
Interior inspections require you to enter and inspect the interior of the property as well as the exterior. We gain entrance to the interior of the property either by using the lockbox (first choice) or your own set of HUD keys provided to you by your client. (Last choice)
LOCKBOX:
The various lockbox codes can be found in the instructions of the work order. Sometimes the last 3 digits of the loan number is the key code.
Not all Interior inspections have a lockbox. If that is the case, then that is where your own set of keys comes in that you can obtain at the end of this course.
Regardless as to which key you use to enter, either from the lockbox or from your keys, take a close up photo of the key code you used that unlocks the door while the key is still in the door.
LOCKBOX:
To review; there are always 3 photos pertaining to the entry of a property that is required when conducting an interior inspection.
The lockbox combination that opens the lockbox.
The keys inside the lockbox.
The keycode of the key while it is still in the door showing in the background that the key works and opened the door.
INTERIOR INSPECTIONS WITH NO MEANS OF ENTERING THE PROPERTY
At times inspectors will arrive at a property to complete an interior inspection only to find that:
The lockbox is no longer present.
The key has been removed from the lockbox.
The lockbox no longer opens with the combination that our Client provided.
Your keys do not open any of the doors.
If it seems that no lock-box is present:
Check all areas before reporting no lock-box—many times lock-boxes are installed on the rear or side door.
Check spigots, fences, gas meter, and other areas for the lock-box, as realtors may have moved it.
Photograph ALL doors to verify that the lock-box is not present.
If the combination provided does not open the lockbox:
If the combination provided does not open the lockbox:
Take a clear photo of the tumblers in the position of the combination that is provided from your work order, to prove that you attempted to open the box.
If the key from the lock-box does not work, or your client supplied keys do not work:
Take a photo of the key in the knob lock showing the key was tried, but would not turn or unlock the door.
https://mortgagefieldservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/key-in-lock-336x267.jpg
If the key is missing from inside the lockbox:
Take a photo of the lock-box key storage chamber to show that there is no key inside.
Taking the appropriate photos on the initial visit will help you to avoid making a return trip to the property. With the photos you provide, clients can make informed decisions on how to handle cases where we cannot enter the interior of the property.
If the key is missing from inside the lockbox:
Read the work order to see if the client requires a call from onsite if no entrance to the property is available using key codes or lockbox codes.
If a key code number has been provided on the work order form but your key does not open the door, take a close up photo of the key in the door so that our client can read the key code number on the key. Do this for every door and for every key code listed.
INSIDE THE PROPERTY
Once inside the property we need to look around the entire house for roof leaks, mold, water damage, signs of vermin etc. When you inspect a property always look under sinks, in closets, around the bathroom, and around hot water tanks for mold and water damage. Take a flashlight in with you when doing so that way nothing is missed.
INSIDE THE PROPERTY
Gas leaks and water leaks require contact with the local utility company to have these services repaired or turned off. Then call your client or Account Manager to report the condition.
