Honestly, I get where you're coming from, but I've had the opposite experience a few times. Appraisers aren't doing a deep dive, sure, but I've seen them flag stuff that inspectors didn't mention—like peeling paint or missing handrails that matter for VA loans. The main thing is, they're just focused on different stuff. If you're buying as an investment and planning renos anyway, sometimes a detailed inspection just isn't as crucial, depending on your risk tolerance. Just my two cents.
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection, or just an appraisal?
I’ve run into this too—VA appraisers flagged chipped paint on a 1960s place I was buying, but the inspector barely mentioned it. Honestly, I wouldn’t skip an inspection even if you’re planning renovations, just because stuff like old wiring or foundation cracks can turn into a money pit fast. But yeah, for VA loans, the appraisal is where they’ll ding you for safety/code stuff, not the inspection. Guess it depends how much risk you’re cool with.
That’s a good point about the difference between what an inspector and a VA appraiser will flag. I’ve seen buyers get tripped up by that—assuming the inspection is the “real” hurdle, when in reality, the VA appraisal has its own set of minimum property requirements. Chipped paint, missing handrails, even things like a lack of GFCI outlets in kitchens can come up. The appraisal’s really more about protecting the lender and making sure the property meets the VA’s standards for safety and habitability.
But I agree with you—skipping an inspection is risky, even if you’re planning to gut the place. An inspector might catch something structural or electrical that could blow up your budget before you even start renovations. I’ve had clients who thought they’d just “fix it all later,” only to find out there was a major foundation issue that made the whole project unworkable.
Curious if anyone’s ever had a VA appraiser miss something big that an inspector caught? Or vice versa? I’ve heard stories both ways, but I wonder how common it actually is for those two reports to contradict each other in a way that really matters for closing or negotiations. It seems like there’s a bit of overlap, but also some gaps depending on who’s doing the walkthrough and how thorough they are.
Also, has anyone run into issues with older homes and VA loans specifically? I know those minimum property requirements can be tough with houses built before the 1970s—lead paint, outdated wiring, all that stuff. Sometimes it feels like you’re jumping through hoops just to get to closing.
It’s wild how often folks assume the inspection is the main thing, when the VA appraisal can actually derail a deal just as fast—especially with older homes. I’ve seen appraisers miss stuff like old knob-and-tube wiring that an inspector flagged right away, and the reverse too. There’s definitely overlap, but each has blind spots. Honestly, with pre-70s houses, it’s always a bit of a dance to get through the VA’s checklist... but totally doable with the right heads-up. You’re not alone in feeling like it’s hoop-jumping.