For many borrowers, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) home loan program is their only option for obtaining a mortgage. Credit and down payment requirements are more flexible than for other loans. However, FHA borrowers must meet certain requirements, including a home inspection for the property they want to buy.

What Is an FHA Loan?

The FHA loan process allows people who have no credit history or less-than-ideal credit to obtain a mortgage loan. A bankruptcy or foreclosure does not necessarily disqualify a loan application. The applicant may still obtain an FHA loan if their credit has improved three years after a foreclosure or two years after a bankruptcy.

With an FHA mortgage, a borrower can buy a home with a small down payment. Residences that qualify for FHA loans include single-family homes, 2- to 4-unit dwellings, condominiums, and row houses. Once a prospective buyer finds a home they want to purchase, the home must pass an FHA inspection.

Why Is a Home Inspection Necessary for an FHA Loan?

A critical part of the FHA loan application is the home inspection. The FHA requires this step to protect buyers and lenders from purchasing and financing a home that is not safe or structurally sound. The borrower customarily pays the home inspection fee, which is usually a few hundred dollars.

A licensed home inspector carries out the inspection, which determines whether the home meets the following standards:

  • Safety and health of all occupants
  • Security of the property
  • Structural soundness

To assess whether the home meets these standards, the inspector examines the following main features of the house:

  • Location
  • HVAC and water
  • Safety
  • Roof
  • Structure
  • Access

Defects in any area that affect the home’s safety, security, or structural soundness may disqualify the house from an FHA loan.

Location

An FHA appraiser (different from a home inspector) will examine the property location and surrounding area for nuisances and hazards. Factors that may disqualify a property include proximity to:

  • Heavy traffic
  • An airport
  • High voltage power lines
  • Radio stations or TV transmission towers
  • Excessive noise
  • High-pressure petroleum lines or other potential explosives
  • Oil or gas wells
  • Hazardous waste sites

HVAC and Water

Heating, electric, and water systems are important factors in an inspection for an FHA mortgage loan. Each habitable room must have its own functional heat source, except for some properties in warmer locations, such as Miami-Dade County in Florida. Here are some of the HVAC and water issues that can cause a property to fail inspection:

  • Electrical box with exposed, damaged, or frayed wires
  • The heating system is not functioning properly
  • A heating system that has not been regularly maintained
  • A water heater that does not conform to local building codes
  • A water heater that lacks regularly scheduled maintenance
  • Faulty plumbing
  • Inadequate supply of safe, clean water
  • Lack of one bathroom with working toilet, sink, shower, or bathtub
  • In locations with cold winters, lack of functioning heat source in every habitable room

Safety

A property may contain safety hazards that would remain unknown without an inspection. The home inspector will examine building materials and any other areas that may make the property unsafe, such as:

  • Asbestos
  • Hazardous or toxic chemicals
  • Lead paint
  • Poorly lit, overly narrow staircases
  • Inadequate fire exits

If the inspector finds damaged asbestos in the structure, an asbestos professional must further inspect the property. This additional inspection will help determine the necessary course of action, including asbestos removal.

Roof

The roof must be in good enough condition to last at least two years after purchasing the property. The inspector must have access to the attic to look for signs of roof damage. Factors that can require repairs or a new roof include:

  • Leaks or failure to keep out moisture
  • Holes
  • Water damage
  • More than three layers of roofing
  • Damaged chimney

If a home inspector finds defects or damage in the roof, they must specify whether the roof needs repair or replacement. If any damage afflicts a roof with more than three layers, the roof must be replaced.

Structure

A house must be structurally sound to be a safe place to live. The inspector will check the property’s structure for signs of damage, such as cracked walls or standing water near the foundation. Issues that can prevent a house from passing inspection include:

  • Decay, such as rotting beams
  • Damaged foundation
  • Termite damage
  • Lack of termite protection for a wood home
  • Interior or exterior dampness
  • Leaks
  • Defective downspouts or gutters
  • Faulty doors that cannot be locked
  • Porch or deck that is damaged or not sturdy

Access

The ability of people to safely access the property is another important factor that an FHA appraiser will check. The property must provide safe and adequate access to pedestrians and vehicles by a public or private road. The road must have an all-weather surface, which means that emergency vehicles and typical passenger vehicles can pass in all types of weather.

What Defects the FHA Will Overlook

The primary focus of a home inspection for an FHA loan is the safety and security of occupants. An FHA appraiser may overlook a defect that is cosmetic or unlikely to endanger occupants or affect structural soundness. The following defects are not necessarily deal-breakers for an FHA loan:

  • Normal wear and tear
  • Damaged paint or plaster in structures built after 1978 (older homes may contain lead paint)
  • Damaged windows or doors that still work properly
  • Absence of handrails
  • Worn flooring
  • Minor plumbing leaks such as dripping faucets
  • Lack of all-weather driveway surface

What Happens if Property Does Not Pass Inspection

If a property scores low and does not pass FHA standards for a home inspection, the deficiencies can often be corrected. If the seller cannot afford the repairs, one of two scenarios can take place:

  • The seller raises the price so that they can recoup repair expenses, or
  • The seller reduces the cost to compensate the buyer for repair expenses.

Another option for the buyer is an FHA 203(k) loan, which lets the buyer finance the mortgage and the necessary repairs. This program makes it possible for lower-income borrowers to buy and repair primary residence properties.

If the damage is severe and repairs are too costly, the seller can find a non-FHA buyer. However, non-FHA lenders have their own inspection standards, so the property may still fail an inspection.

The FHA loan process protects borrowers and lenders from defective or dangerous properties. If all parties can work together, existing problems can be corrected, and the property can be purchased.