Appraiser for FHA loan walked due to no shutoff valves in triplex

[Brenden M.]

I am currently working on purchasing a triplex with an FHA loan. Last week, the appraiser was scheduled to perform the appraisal, but, according to the listing agent, the appraiser immediately walked off-site after discovering that the property was on one water line without proper shut-off valve/separation between the units. This is my first time purchasing, and I was ignorant of what is needed for an FHA loan. I had separate water lines and meters installed this week to comply, and I was able to get back on the appraiser's schedule for this week - which is a two week delay from the original appraisal date. So, I have become nervous that the appraiser will find something else wrong with the property this week that could deem it ineligible.

I hate the thought of being at the mercy of an appraiser's schedule if they're planning to raise one issue at a time. I began doing some research on what this process should look like, and below is the language from HUD regarding the property appraisal and eligibility verification process:

As the on-site representative for the Mortgagee, the Appraiser provides preliminary verification that a Property meets the Property Acceptability Criteria, which include HUD’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) or Minimum Property Standards (MPS). 

When examination of a Property reveals noncompliance with the Property Acceptability Criteria, the Appraiser must note all repairs necessary to make the Property comply with HUD’s Property Acceptability Criteria, together with the estimated cost to cure.

Am I understanding correctly that the appraiser should have not walked away and should have detailed any other items that could potentially come up during this week's appraisal? Closing has been delayed two weeks from the first issue (after already being delayed three weeks for other issues), so I am just trying to ensure there are no more delays. 

[Malcomb Stapel]

That seems highly unprofessional. Why wouldn't they detail out any other problems and then present the list to you? That way you could fix them all at once before having the re-inspect. Its very possible this individual was having a bad day already, this put them over the top, and they decided it was a good excuse to act unprofessionally. 

Was this appraiser provided by your lender from their list? If so at the very least the lender should know, then you might as well call the appraisal company and talk to them (nicely) about your experience. Maybe this person has been a chronic issue for them or maybe they were just having a bad day. Either way the onus falls on you to push back or be pushed around.