How beneficial is it to get HUD certified

[Ashli Norton]

I dont know if this is out of the realm, if so , I'm sorry. But wanted to know how much more work do you get being HUD certified , and ive looked around and it cost like $300 for classes, unlike the NACHI, typically for some reason always out of my areas (thats how it always happens). How much is the average job, ive looked (not that hard i have 2 admit) and have not seen the pay. Can anyone provide insight?

[David P. Valley]

I've never been asked if I was HUD certified and have never been asked to perform a HUD inspection.

Not crucial in my area.

[tdietrich1]

Hijacking.... where can you get 'certified'?

tom

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

Hijacking.... where can you get 'certified'?

tom

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203khow.cfm

[Harold E. Miller]

Ditto with what Dave Valley said. In 10 years and well over 2,500 inspections, I have never been asked if I was HUD certified.

I can only remember one house that was going through the 203K rehab program, and the buyer had their own 203K hud inspector, and also hired me as their general home inspector/ structural pest inspector.

The bulk of loans processed today are conventional, making a HUD certified inspector just a title. In my opinion it is a waste of time.

If you want a title, then you would be better off checking out the CMI
http://www.certifiedmasterinspector.org/ , and there is no test.

[Nolan Kienitz]

I applied for the 203K certification and was denied as, according to the letter and phone call, I was not a licensed architect ... which would allow me to prepare architectural drawings.

Now ... mind you I've been in construction for about 20 years and commericial/corporate inspections for easily half of that time and now doing residential inspections for 5 years.

I was told many times on the phone call from the Denver Regional office that I had to prove my ability to prepare architectural drawings as an architect before I would be considered.

Caller would not tell me if all the current 203K consultants were architects or not. Hummm. Somehow I think it is 'government speak'.

Or it may be in how the application is filled out and the resume is phrased.

Any suggestions from current 203K consultants?


As for original questions of how beneficial is it to be a 203K consultant ... I don't think it is that valuable as I've never received a call in five years nor have I known anyone who has ... maybe I'm hanging in the wrong circles?

[rshuey]

i perform appx 850 HUD inspections a year, and I have no HUD certs

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

the only certification for HUD that I know about is HUD/REAC and thats for new construction / renovation

[jgroves]

Unless you are going to take a class from ITA, the certification from HUD is free. However, you can't be a newbie and qualify for the certification. You must have, as a minimum, 80 hrs of qualified inspection training and 250 paid for inspections, in which you were solely responsible. This is for the REAC program. Then after you attend the week long class, you are allowed to bid on the HUD site for listed inspections. Your first inspections are closely monitored by HUD QC people. I looked into it and just not worth my time and effort. Too much gov't BS. The other program is the 203K renovation, same BS. You do not need to be HUD certified to perform an inspection for someone applying for a HUD loan. The buyer is the one hiring you and HUD pushes home inspections hard.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

HUD 203k - architect required. Nope. Somebody gave you brush-off.

[jgroves]

Originally Posted by dbowers

HUD 203k - architect required. Nope. Somebody gave you brush-off.

From HUD Mortagee Letter 95-40.

Qualifications: HUD requires at least three years experience as a
remodeling contractor, general contractor or home inspector in order to
quality as a 203(k) consultant. The consultant must be able to perform
home inspections, prepare the necessary architectural exhibits, and be
able to complete the draw inspections on the property during the
construction phase of the project. A state licensed architect or
engineer may also be accepted. To apply for HUD acceptance, the
consultant must submit his or her qualifications (resume') to the local
HUD Office and be trained.

[Humberto Carvajal]

Originally Posted by jgroves

From HUD Mortagee Letter 95-40.

Qualifications: HUD requires at least three years experience as a
remodeling contractor, general contractor or home inspector in order to
quality as a 203(k) consultant. The consultant must be able to perform
home inspections, prepare the necessary architectural exhibits, and be
able to complete the draw inspections on the property during the
construction phase of the project. A state licensed architect or
engineer may also be accepted. To apply for HUD acceptance, the
consultant must submit his or her qualifications (resume') to the local
HUD Office and be trained.

Sorry, sir, but be CERTAIN of your facts before making implications. An architect is NOT required, but the skill to prepare the necessary exhibits.

James re-read DBowers quote again. I think you and him are on the same page.

[jgroves]

Sorry, Humberto, that was aimed at the government bureaucrat in Denver, not Dan. Deleted to remove the confusion.

Jamey

[Humberto Carvajal]

No harm done. I just called it to your attention because it did seem rather odd. The way I read it, you both were saying the same thing.

Regards,

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

The architectural drawing we prepare for HUD are line diagrams, similar to a floor plan out of Better Homes & Garden. The term architectural drawings or documents is misleading. We've been FHA/HUD 203k Inspector since 1993 or 1994. Sometimes I prepare plans - on $49.95 drawing program OR other times the client has blueprints or renderings prepared for me.