A VA loan doesn’t technically require a full home inspection, but it does require an appraisal to ensure the property meets VA loan inspection requirements — meaning the home must be safe, sanitary, and structurally sound.
During the appraisal, the VA checks basics like the roof, foundation, heating, plumbing, and pest control. While a professional home inspection isn’t mandatory, it’s highly recommended to avoid costly surprises later.
For military families, there are also VA loan spouse requirements to consider — eligible spouses can co-sign, apply, or even use VA benefits in certain cases.
If your DTI is up to 55, you might still qualify depending on your credit and income.
👉 For a full breakdown of VA home loan inspection requirements, eligibility rules, and DTI limits, read the complete guide at Dream Home Mortgage — a trusted name helping veterans and spouses achieve their homeownership goals.
I get where you’re coming from about the VA appraisal covering the basics, but I’d push back a bit on relying solely on that. The VA appraiser’s main job is to make sure the property meets minimum standards—safe, sanitary, and structurally sound, like you said—but they’re not digging deep into every nook and cranny. I’ve seen homes “pass” the VA appraisal but still have hidden issues like old wiring or sneaky water damage that only came up during a full inspection.
Here’s how I usually break it down for buyers:
1. The VA appraisal checks for big-ticket safety stuff (roof, foundation, pests).
2. A home inspection goes way further—think appliances, attic insulation, drainage, etc.
3. Skipping the inspection might save a few hundred bucks upfront, but if something’s lurking behind the walls... that can get expensive fast.
I know it’s technically optional, but in my experience, it’s worth treating the inspection as a must-have rather than a “nice-to-have.” Just my two cents after seeing a few folks surprised by what an appraisal missed.
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
I’ve run into this a few times, and honestly, I’d never skip the inspection, even though the VA doesn’t require it. I bought a duplex last year with a VA loan—appraisal came back fine, no red flags. But when I brought in my own inspector, he found a slow leak under the kitchen sink that had been going for who knows how long. The cabinets looked perfect from the outside, but inside was a mess of mold and warped wood. The appraiser didn’t even open the cabinet doors.
It cost me a few hundred for the inspection, but fixing that leak and replacing the cabinets would’ve been thousands if I hadn’t caught it early. The appraisal is just a baseline, really. It’s there to protect the lender more than you as the buyer. I get wanting to save money upfront, but skipping the inspection feels like rolling the dice with your investment. Just my take after seeing both sides of it.
Couldn’t agree more about the inspection being worth every penny. When we refinanced last year, I remember thinking the appraisal felt pretty surface-level—like, they checked boxes but didn’t really dig in. I get that the VA’s minimum property requirements are there for a reason, but they’re not catching stuff like hidden leaks or electrical quirks. It’s wild how much can hide behind a “clean” appraisal. Spending a little upfront can save a ton of stress (and cash) down the road.
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
Yeah, the appraisal is really just a baseline. When we bought our place, the VA appraiser barely spent 20 minutes inside. Our inspector, on the other hand, found a bunch of little things that could’ve turned into big headaches. Worth every cent, honestly.
