Correspondent ALERT – FEMA Disaster Declaration Update for California

FEMA Based on the progress made in containing the wildfires for disaster, DR# 4856, in Los Angeles County, the requirements for proximity to the evacuation zones have been removed and the effective dates for property inspections have been updated to the following:

 

FHA Loans:

 

For all FHA Purchases, Rate/Term Refinances, Simple Refinances and Cash-Out Refinances with an appraisal dated prior to February 3, 2025, a reinspection of the subject property will be required. The inspection report must meet all FHA disaster inspection requirements and be dated on or after February 3, 2025. If the initial appraisal effective date is on or after February 3, 2025, an additional inspection report is not necessary.

 

Fannie, Freddie, Arc Access, Arc Elite, Foreign National, USDA, FNMA/FHLMC Second Home-Investment, Conventional Investment Property, VA Loans, all Government Streamline Loans:

 

For all Fannie/Freddie, Arc Access, Arc Elite, Arc Edge, FNMA/FHLMC Second Home-Investment Property, Conventional Investment Property, VA loans, USDA and FHA Streamlines, if the appraisal was completed prior to February 3, 2025, we will require an exterior inspection. The reinspection must be completed by a licensed appraiser with photographs, verifying the subject property was not impacted by the event. If the exterior inspection indicates any damage has occurred to the property, an additional interior inspection will be required by the appraiser. For any Conventional loan with a Property Inspection Waiver, VA IRRRL, FHA Streamline or USDA Streamline, the inspection must be dated on or after February 3, 2025.

 

Disaster Inspection Documentation Requirements

 

The following grid provides direction for different loan types based on whether the loan is closed but not yet funded as well as whether the loan is closed:

 

Program

Loan Status

Correspondent Documentation Requirements

Fannie/Freddie/VA/USDA

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

Lender Certification (on letterhead) or Post-FEMA Disaster inspection with photos.

OR

Borrower attestation with external pictures of all 4 sides of the property.

Not Signed/ Closed

Delay Closing and Require a Post-FEMA Disaster Inspection with photos OR

Borrower attestation with external pictures of all 4 sides of the property.

FHA Purchase, Rate/Term, Simple Refinance, Cash-out Refinance

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

Satisfactory FHA Inspection, with photos, prior to funding by Arc Home

Not Signed/Closed

Delay Closing and Require Inspection (FHA Inspection, with photos)

FHA Streamline Refinance

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

Lender Certification (on letterhead) or Post-FEMA Disaster inspection with photos.

Not Signed/Closed

Delay Closing and Require a Post-FEMA Disaster Inspection with photos

All Non-QM, Second Home & Investment, Conventional Investment,

Foreign National

 

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

Fund Loan, Delay Delivery and Require a Post-FEMA Inspection with photos OR

Borrower attestation with external pictures of all 4 sides of the property.

Not Signed/ Closed

Delay Closing and Require a Post-FEMA Disaster Inspection with photos OR

Borrower attestation with external pictures of all 4 sides of the property.