Rogue Appraiser for VA loan

[Patrick Ford]

Rogue appraiser, help!!

Background; new build in Michigan. Construction loan is about to convert to a conventional 30 year at 4.375 and attempting to refinance into a 30 year VA at 2.25%.

So, we got the home appraisal today and the appraiser made it contingent on the following;

1-independent GFIs are installed in kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. They're currently all on a GFI, but not each plug is a GFI. They are wired in parallel with a GFI at a water collecting area. So the plug on one side of the counter is connected to a GFI on the other side. Here's the kicker. It's already passed electrical inspection and the COO has been issued by the county. This is in Michigan and the county uses 2015 NEC code according to their website. The appraiser stated this;

“Install GFI's in kitchen independently of each other above the kitchen counter. 2020 NEC(National Electric Code Book Page 218 Section A - 6.”

2-This one is even MORE absurd...he said he WILL NOT sign off on this appraisal until the builder miters the corners of the posts on the front porch. They're wrapped in cedar and I don't disagree that they could use bit more TLC. The boards are just butted at 90 degrees and painted. The builder says they don't miter the posts because the wood swells and it'll now and/or crack. Honestly it's cosmetic, and I don't care. The appraiser is making my VA loan that will save me $10k/yr in interest on mitered edges!

I’m beside myself right now; how can this be ok? How can someone like this hold up a veterans loan because of his opinion. The house meets code for the state and county, and his gripes are about posts on a front porch!

Help!

[Greg Scott]

So these repairs are what, $500? 

I share your frustration with bureaucracy.  In our various properties, Section 8, Fannie Mae, City, local Health Department have all asked us to do ridiculous things.  Often what they ask for is not a real issue or won't solve the problem they say they are trying to solve.  That drives me crazy.

So, you have a choice.  You can fight it or you can just suck it up and do it.   Some times it is worth fighting and some times your time is worth more so you make the updates and move on.  My wife will tell you that I spend way to much time grumbling about the absurd requests.  Given the description you provided, I'd probably just curse the inspector in my head and make the repairs.