When guests show up after a road trip and all hop in the shower or start doing laundry, it overwhelms the pump and it can't keep up. 

Someone might cut their trip to Aspen, and hop in the car and drive to Blowing Rock for the weekend instead.

Go ahead with appraisal, and if somehow that is what trips it up, you now have a negotiating point with the seller.

IvanI'll first acknowledge what other posters have mentioned-- Any city has crime and it is a good idea to take a trip there if you're considering investing there to see with your own eyes.As for your question about how it is depends on what you're looking for.

Ready to get on a plane and take some trips.

FHA has some other small things that will cause a failed inspection/appraisal....trip hazards (raised thresholds), exposed wring, etc.

This will at least save you a trip charge for something you could of fixed in a few minutes.

We've made a couple trips there a nd a few contacts. 

For what we call "stupid trips" we have our PM note them in the file but not send anyone out until there is an actual problem, like a leak or a broken appliance, then take care of all of them on one trip.

Get several refferals and make sure that you make at least (1) trip out to see the property before closing on it.