I had a file come out of the underwriting department recently, and learned something new. Apparently windows need to be operable and open. Sounds silly huh? But operable windows are important due to safety reasons and ingress/egress to get out of the house in an emergency. You want to hear more? OK, read on.
How did this issue arise?
The only reason the underwriter found out about this is that the seller listed these inoperable windows on the “sellers disclosures”. This is the part of the contact where the seller has to disclose any negatives they know about their property. This did not come up on the appraisal, where you would think it would. And this was not an FHA loan. FHA appraisers are supposed to check and make sure every window is operable. This was a Conventional loan. And Conventional appraisers do not have to check for operation of windows. So this issue came up late in the process, in the underwriting of the loan.
Why is this an issue?
The underwriter was concerned because windows that are painted shut, or in one case a window was nailed shut; means it is difficult to impossible to use them if needed to exit in an emergency. However, the sellers of the house wanted to keep people out! The nailed shut window was on a ground level. And people could potentially climb in if the window lock broke. So the owner nailed it shut. This was a house in an urban area. People think more about keeping bad elements out instead of getting out of the house in case of emergency.
What happened?
The windows had to be repaired and unstuck in order to get final loan approval. It was interesting news, to say the least, to deliver. “I am sorry, we cannot approve your loan and you cannot go to settlement until a contractor comes out and unsticks a few windows.” It sounds absurd, but its real, and it might happen to you.
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Brian Martucci is a loan officer for Capital Bank Home Loans, a division of Capital Bank, N.A. He has been in the mortgage industry since 1986 and has served in a number of roles, including loan processor, loan officer, mortgage broker, branch manager, and vice president. Brian Martucci – NMLS# 185421. His opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Capital Bank Home Loans or Capital Bank. Capital Bank, N.A.- NMLS# 401599. Click here for the Capital Bank, N.A. “Privacy Policy”.
