Appraisal

What are FHA loan inspection requirements?

Short answer

FHA itself requires an FHA appraisal — not a separate home inspection. The FHA appraiser checks value plus property condition: safety, security, and structural integrity. Common flags include peeling paint on pre-1978 homes, roof life, broken systems, exposed wiring, missing handrails, and HVAC or plumbing function. A buyer-paid home inspection is strongly recommended on top of the FHA appraisal.

Plain-English explanation

The FHA appraiser is not a licensed home inspector — they are confirming HUD's minimum property standards. In Florida, expect three layers of property review on most FHA purchases: 1) the FHA appraisal (value plus property condition flags); 2) the buyer's optional home inspection (full systems review the appraiser does not perform); 3) the homeowners-insurance carrier's 4-point inspection on older homes (roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Required FHA repairs must be cured before closing, and the appraiser typically re-inspects to confirm. Lender overlays may add their own conditions on top.

Practical example

On a 1968 Florida bungalow, the FHA appraiser flagged peeling exterior paint, an aged roof at end of life, and a non-working AC. The seller replaced the roof and AC and repainted before the appraiser's re-inspection. The buyer's separate home inspection then caught a slow plumbing leak the appraiser had not — the seller fixed that too. Two layers, two findings.

What can change the answer?

Property condition, repair requirements, condo project approval status, and seller willingness to address flagged repairs can change the answer.

Your next step

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