Yes I think that is correct.  It's been a while since I've had any of these loans but I do recall 2 layers is max for a roof.  Ask John Meussner !

It may depend on the condition of the existing roof. We are allowed a maximum of two layers. If the underlayment is shot, I would hope not...But who is checking? Have you ever seen an appraiser up on a roof?

Sorry, but I have no clue... a lender specializing in these loans would know.

Appraisers do not arrive with ladders and do not typically inspect roofs unless there's a blatantly obvious condition. They would typically have no way of knowing the roof condition or layer quantity. In 24+ years I've never had any appraiser look at a roof anymore than they can see it from their exterior walk around. But, I'll defer to Jason E. Gordon to correct me if I've just been lucky and there's more to this than I've experienced.

As Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert said, not in Florida.

  Even if VA or FHA appraisers "allowed it", Florida building codes will most likely prevent it.  We have some of the most stringent roofing laws in the nation... multiple inspections are required, every nail and every piece of felt is subject to examination. 

   The days of applying a new layer of shingles over an existing roof in Florida are long gone.

I don't know the answer to that, I am glad others do and commented.  Q & A is always a good learning opportunity in the Rain!

Not in Florida.

My sense is that it may depend not only on the lender guidelines, it may also be subject to the appraiser's discretion, to some degree.  

Caroline Gerardo - what say you?

In my area you can. Max of 2 shingles

Don't forget that pealing gutter paint.

This is a good question...lets find out Paul

(misplaced intended comment on Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 's answer . . . ActiveRain Member Support can we no longer IMMEDIATELY delete an answer? BC I couldn't!

We have some of the most stringent roofing laws in the nation

I bet you do! 

We've had to have many roof certs as condition of closing . . . we don't have hurricanes but high winds yes. And why many many homes have tile or metal roofs!

Been retired for a while now, so I will go with Nina Hollander, Broker and move on!

I do believe a roof with one layer is allowed an up and over 2nd layer

I don't know about VA/FHA but I would not recommend that anyone do this.

When we bought our first house up north (eons ago), one house that we looked at had hairline cracks in the middle of the dining room and living room ceilings. When we asked about that, eventually we were told that the "new" shingles were placed over the old and the added weight caused too much stress which resulted in the cracks.

That was a deal breaker for us since there was no way of knowing if there was a problem under the old shingles before the new ones were added or if the stress cracks would get worse over time if what we were told was true.

Appraisal requirements for FHA mortgage loans are found in HUD 40001., and include guidelines for electrical systems, plumbing, paint, and also requirements for the roof.

The condition of the roof is important as it’s a major source of headaches for a homeowner if there is a problem down the line. Borrowers should remember that the appraisal does not guarantee the roof is free of problems, and a home inspection should be carried out to include a closer look at the roof than an FHA appraisal will give.

FHA loan appraisal fees do not cover this inspection, but the inspection is an important investment that could save you thousands of dollars later on.

What is an FHA appraiser required to do when considering the roof? HUD 4000.1 says, “The Appraiser must notify the Mortgagee of the deficiency…if the roof covering does not prevent entrance of moisture or provide reasonable future utility, durability and economy of maintenance and does not have a remaining physical life of at least two years”.

An FHA appraiser is required to view the roof, but does not specifically have to step out onto the surface of it. That’s one big difference between an appraisal and a home inspection. “The Appraiser must observe the roof to determine whether there are deficiencies that present a health and safety hazard or do not allow for reasonable future utility. The Appraiser must identify the roofing material type and the condition observed in the ‘Improvements’ section of the report.”

As you can see from the reading of HUD 4000.1 above, the rules do not require or instruct the appraiser to step out onto the roof. A home inspection, paid for by the borrower, would include a closer look at the roof than what is required here by HUD 4000.1.

Page 489 adds the following:

“The Appraiser must report if the roof has less than two years of remaining life, and make the appraisal subject to inspection by a professional roofer. When the Appraiser is unable to view the roof, the Appraiser must explain why the roof is unobservable and report the results of the assessment of the underside of the roof, the attic, and the ceilings.”

It cannot be emphasized enough that an FHA appraisal is not meant to be a top-to-bottom inspection of the roof. The FHA official site has a section titled, For Your Protection Get A Home Inspection, which urges borrowers to pay for the optional procedure.

The FHA official site also warns borrowers that there is no financial help from the FHA for those who opt not to get the inspection and later discover defects or other problems with their home (on the roof or anywhere else in the home) once the loan has closed.

I don't know but we don't usually see roof with extra shingles.

In Denver, the City code says only one layer of roofing.   Not sure what an appraiser would allow.

I've never had one ask... 

It may depend on the lender requirements, as well as the appraiser's recommendations.

2 layers are allowed here but, I would think the lenders here would have better answers than us Realtors®! 

I would have to question when the last time you had a VA or FHA appraiser walk a roof. That certainly doesn't happen here!

county code doesn't so there's not likely to find one.  The exception is metal over shingles... that is allowed if done correctly.

Not sure why fha thinks that they know better than the local building codes and that their appraisers know more than the building inspectors.

unless one is putting a metal roof over a shingle roof it's just not something that occurs in my market.  Roofers pull off shingles, inspect and replace decking as needed, and re-shingle.  I'd NEVER heard of putting shingles over shingles until I read it on AR and I still find it absurd.

I never ran into this Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS even though many loans here are VA due to our AFB. 

If you need a roof inspections, get an inspection done by a inspection company. I do not believe appraisers are competent judges of the quality of a roof other the what is obvious to anyone. 

This seems to be an issue that varies from region to region.

If in Tornado Alley or recent hurricane area the Underwriter will see inspections mentioned in the contract. So the leap there is the roof was damaged and what is local code. Are the rafters sound, the underlayment still intact, does the ceiling show signs of leaks? In Tacoma a contractor can get aluminum roof installed over good existing shingled roof signed off by planning. Two layers are "okay" in your city.     However with a VA loan the Underwriter who reviews everything (not just the appraiser) could say that this is not the most sound roof for the veteran and seller gets stuck as with VA loan often the buyer doesn't have $20000 to install a new roof and seller won't allow before closing. My answer is less worrisome with FHA. If there is no mention in the contract of inspection and no counters about roof viability and the roof appears perfect then the Underwriter might never notice and appraiser might not note there are two layers. It depends how the appraiser mentions it, city code varies by location, how it appears, how good the work was...   Most appraisers come with a ladder AND they use a long pole like a selfie stick to take pictures of the roof for their references. They may go look at permits. They also can see if the eaves are dry rot or where leaks are patched. Appraiser is not a guarantee for an inspection but they are pretty snoopy