Interior inspections were quite uncommon until the Obama reg. indeed they were most unknown except where owner requested it to raise appraisal based on some unusually expensive interior modification. Not at Inspections used to be called “Drive by” except sometimes the appraisals were done without even driving by (appraiser either knowing the community a d it’s
Values or in recent years, using computers. and sometimes the appraiser might stop, get out of car, walk around a bit. Almost never going
Into back yards of occupied homes so as to not disturb residents and to avoid requiring anybody be home. The instances where internal inspections are needed for a good appraisal of typical ordinary houses are rare. The instances where video movies of interiors are needed for good appraisals are non existent. Be careful. Be very careful says police department.
Here’s how it’s worked for at least the past 25+ years:
If the loan gets sold to FNMA or FHA an interior inspection appraisal is required. There has never been an exception to this regulation. The overwhelming majority of mortgages are handled via these two entities.
The interior photo requirement as a FNMA regulation began within the past 5 years.
The drive-by appraisal has been common for decades for consumer lending (2nd mortgages, equity lines, etc.).