Well there's always something!
Had an appraisal done for one of my sales and the lenders processor just told me about 'the conditions' from the appraiser. 
Now this is a short sale so there was nothing wrong with the below market sales price, I guess I am irked by the comments and recommendations from the appraiser!
1) Lights have to be working and all utilities have to be turned on. (Because he's afraid of the dark?)
2) Attic needs to be inspected as well as the basement & crawl space. (Yep, it's true, he is afraid of the dark!)
How lovely! What did the appraiser do while he was there? The buyer and I visited and purchased the house with no lights, no water & we got to see the basement and crawl space with no apparent problems on our part.
But when does an attic need to be inspected? Just another example of an appraiser that's run amok!
Probably going to charge us a re-inspection fee too. That's one way to increase your fee isn't it?
That's really not unusual. Appraisers always want to have the utilities on (at least for FHA and VA), to be sure they are in working and safe condition. No water leaks, and check the GFI outlets, be sure the water heater is on too, because they like to check for warm water.
The attic? Not sure, I suspect it is a walk up attic with stairs going to it? Otherwise, I can't think of an experience I've had that included the appraiser looking up in a attic. Basements yes of course, crawl space --- Yes, I've had them look in a crawl space before when they suspected water in the crawl space when the gutter downspouts sent rain water right to the foundation.
For a conventional loan, I'm not sure they would be looking to have the utilities on or for water problems. Hopefully, you will get some appraisers to answer this on Active Rain!
I understand the FHA/VA part of having the utilities turned on, same thing for a whole house inpection. I do not understand the appraisers career choice, why would he choose that profession knowing he was afraid of the dark, that's just weird. Best of luck this one...
That does seem weird, why don't they just ask for the inspection report? In our area, it is common for the appraiser to look at the attic and basement because of the mold issues, but even then most of the time they find nothing. (I'm with you he is afraid of the dark)
I've heard that there are 'head & shoulder' inspection requirements on FHA appraisers. Basically they need to get at least that much of their bodies into the attic and look to see if they see any problems such as obvious roof leaks or conditions with the attic equipment and systems. They also need to be able to check that heating systems at least engage to turn on.
Paul, no walk-up attic. Utilities were turned off & have never an appraiser make mention that they HAD to be on.
Mike: Thought you were talking about the shampoo for a minute! Never heard of that either.
Todd: Buyer didn't want to do an inspection because we just couldn't get the utilities turned on in time (wierd situation). He's happy with the house 'as is'. But still no appraiser has ever needed access before to the attic. I've never seen an appraiser need a ladder.
Gerry: I think he stamped his feet & just didn't want to go in the basement. There is plenty of light from the below grade windows down there. He's just a weenie.
Lyn, Cute blog and comments are informative. and btw no, I'm not afraid of the dark! I've even taken a ladder into a window well to rescue a kitten, or clean out leaves. Look now whose the pussy! (no vulgarity intended, a weak, cowardly man).
Ellen
Ellen: I just found out that the utilities were on but maybe someone thru the switch at the breaker box? Either way, it will be $150 for the appraiser to come back out to be sure the lights are one & that's ridiculous.
Appraiser conditions that really threaten a deal have become the norm here. I had an appraiser recommend a professional mold inspection because some dark spots on the wall could be mold. The lender required the buyer to have an expensive test. I had seen that wall up close and personal, and it was just DIRTY! It ran along the wall above where a couch had been against the wall! the repost came back negative for any mold spores. DUH!
Janna: Know exactly what you mean about the supposed 'mold line' that most people have if the couch is against the wall. This is another case of 'expertise outside your professional boundaries'. I did get an email yesterday saying the reinspect was going to be $150 for each occurrence. Kind of like what I said about the extra charges. Hmmmm.
Maybe the appraiser was afraid of bats in the attic or snakes in the basement. You know how that can impact the value of a short sale.
Pat: Didn't think of the dreaded IL bats in the attic. Today will be the reinspect for the 'girly man' Mr. Appraiser.