SHED DORMER,

SHED DORMER,
or DUSTPAN

Building Quality

One of the most important reasons for inspecting a property is to determine its quality of construction and
condition. The appraiser must be knowledgeable as to structural details of buildings. All exposed portions of a
building should be closely inspected to ascertain the materials used, the present condition, and the type and
quality of construction, which may be classified as follows:

A. Low quality.

1. Competitive low cost house which does not exceed the minimum building codes.

B. Fair quality.

1. Plain and inexpensive finishes on both interior and exterior.

2. Cheap quality finish hardware, lighting fixtures, and heating.

3. Generally erected in areas of low purchasing power.

4. Typically, stucco exterior, concrete slab floor, composition roof.

C. Average quality.

1. Meets VA and FHA standards.

2. Usually purchased by persons of moderate income.

3. Medium standard of construction with some low cost refinements.

4. Usually of stucco exterior, hardwood flooring, composition roof or shingle.

5. Finish hardware, lighting fixtures and heating of average quality.

6. House found in large tract developments.

D. Good quality.

1. Good architectural design, workmanship and materials.

2. Stucco walls with wood and masonry trim, hardwood floors, shingle roofs.

3. Usually contains two bathrooms, forced air furnace or equal heating, good quality lighting fixtures and
finish hardware.

4. Usually has extra built-in equipment in kitchen.

E. Very good quality.

1. Generally, custom designed by architect.

2. Home contains many extra features.

3. Stucco walls with extensive wood or masonry trim, hardwood flooring, tile or concrete roofs.

4. Two or more bathrooms, forced air heating, good quality finish hardware and lighting fixtures.

5. Custom fireplaces.

F. Excellent quality.

1. Custom designed by architect.

2. Extra features are of the highest quality and design.

3. Stucco walls with redwoods or cedars or other fine woods, stone trim, hardwood, marble and custom
carpet floorings, clay tile, slate roofs, copper gutters and so on.

4. A bath with each bedroom, walk-in closets, zoned heating, special wood finishes such as teak, cherry,
walnut, etc., designer lighting including recessed art lighting.

5. Custom fireplaces, custom wood libraries, bars, butler’s pantries, granite or marble counters in baths
and kitchen, gourmet appliances.

Functional Utility

Good architecture is concerned with room layout and functional utility as well as exterior style. A functional
analysis of a property measures the conveniences and economy in the use of the property. The combined factors
of usefulness and desirability have an effect on a property’s marketability. The degree of its functional utility is
important in any consideration of its marketability. Thus, marketability is the ultimate test of functional utility.

Functional Utility Checklist

A. Building.

1. Living room.

a. Adequacy of floor and wall space for proper placement of furniture.

b. Circulation - should not have to pass through long living room to reach other parts of the house.

c. Fireplace should be away from the traffic flow.

d. Wall spaces - adequate for furniture arrangements.

2. Dining room or area.

a. Ease of access to kitchen.

b. Size of room or area governed by overall size of house.

c. Best if room is nearly square.

3. Bedrooms.

a. Master bedroom should be of adequate size (minimum 10' x 12').

b. Other bedrooms (minimum 9' x 10') .

c. Cross ventilation should be provided.

d. Located away from family areas and kitchen for privacy.

e. Should not have to go through one bedroom to enter another.

f. Closet space should be adequate (minimum depth 2 feet; minimum area 6 square feet).

g. Proximate to full bath facilities.

4. Kitchen.

a. Workspace should be ample and efficient in plan.

b. Equipment should be centrally located to eliminate unnecessary foot travel.

c. Walls, ceilings and floors should be of easily maintained materials.

d. Adequate provision should be made for proper lighting and ventilation.

e. Kitchen should be conveniently located in relation to dining areas and family room.

f. Kitchen should have an exterior entrance.

g. Laundry facilities should be adjacent to kitchen.

5. Bathrooms.

a. Proper location with respect to other rooms.

b. If only one bathroom exists, it should be located off the central hall.

c. Bathroom should not open directly into kitchen or living room.

d. Adequate ventilation - exterior window or automatic exhaust fan is necessary.

e. Floors, walls, and ceilings easily cleaned and maintained.

6. Closets and storage.

a. At least one clothes closet per bedroom.

b. Adequate linen closet space.

c. Storage closets should be centrally located.

d. A storage area should be provided near the laundry equipment.

e. Exterior storage necessary if there is only a carport.

B. Site.

l. Construction should be related to the size of the building site.

2. The house should be so located on the land that it relates to the building site or “belongs.”

3. Adequate front, rear and side yards are necessary for light and privacy. Yards may be clustered in
planned unit developments.

4. A private service yard for drying clothes and storage of refuse should be convenient to the kitchen.

5. Entrance to the garage should be convenient and readily accessible.

6. Proper landscaping.

7. Recreational and garden facilities.

8. Adequate yard improvements.

Broker’s Guidelines for Considering Physical Characteristics of Real Property for FHA Insurance Purposes
A. Visual appeal of property. How well will the property as a whole retain its market appeal?

1. Exterior design of structures.

a. Visual appeal based upon the probability of continuing market acceptance.

b. Certain architectural styles are short-lived in their acceptance and become obsolete.

2. Setting.

a. Measures the property’s appeal in the market because of terrain, accessory buildings, walks,
landscaping.

b. The dwelling and surroundings should present a pleasing and unified composition.

3. Interior design of dwelling.

a. The interior design should exhibit simplicity of treatment, harmony in proportions and refinement
in design.

b. Interior permanent features should be up-to-date and of adequate construction.

B. Livability of property. The degree of usefulness, convenience and comfort which the property affords is
determined by:

1. Site utilization.

a. Considers all aspects of the site and its arrangements as these affect the livability of the entire
property.

b. The lot characteristics including size, shape, topography, orientation and natural advantages are
considered.

2. Dwelling space utilization. Consideration is given to the size and efficient distribution of space within
the structure.

3. Room characteristics. Consideration is given to the size and proportion of the rooms in relationship to
the overall area of the dwelling. The following factors are considered:

a. Room orientation.

b. Circulation.

c. Privacy.

d. Closet and storage space.

e. Kitchen efficiency.

f. Service facilities.

g. Insulation.

C. Natural light and ventilation. The effect of natural light and natural ventilation on the desirability,
livability and healthfulness is considered.

1. The proper amount or ratio of natural light to room area should be maintained.

2. Ventilation of all rooms is studied to measure its effect on desirability of the dwelling.

3. Cross ventilation desirable in all bedrooms.

D. Structural quality. The quality of structural design, materials, and workmanship is determined for the
dwelling. The component elements to be considered are as follows:

1. Foundations.

2. Wall construction.

3. Partitions.

4. Floor construction.

5. Ceiling construction.

6. Roof construction.

E. Resistance to elements and usage. A determination is made as to the resistance of the dwelling to the
effects of weather, decay, corrosion, fire, and deterioration. Consideration is given to three categories:

1. Lot improvements.

a. How is the soil protected from erosion?

b. Is the land properly graded so that the structure is not damaged by water?

c. The yard improvements such as walks and walls should be of adequate materials.

2. The building exterior. Analysis is made with reference to the resistance of the exterior of the building
to the effects of the elements.

3. Building interior. Consideration is given to the resistance of interior surfaces and materials to
determine wear and tear and deterioration.

F. Suitability of mechanical equipment. Measures the extent that the equipment contributes to the
desirability and appeal of the dwelling through convenience, economy, and comfort. Consideration is given
to:

1. Plumbing system.

2. Heating system.

3. Electric system.

4. Supplementary equipment.