I hear you on the peace of mind thing, but man, those inspection fees add up fast. I get why people want to do both, but when you’re already scraping together closing costs and moving expenses, it’s tough to justify another few hundred bucks for an inspection that isn’t even required by the VA. I mean, if the appraiser is supposed to check for “minimum property requirements,” shouldn’t that catch most of the big stuff? Or am I just being too optimistic here?
I’ve read stories about folks who skipped the inspection and were fine, but then again, there are horror stories too. It almost feels like a gamble either way. I’m curious—has anyone actually had a VA appraiser flag something major that would’ve come up in a regular inspection? Or is it usually just obvious stuff like missing handrails or peeling paint?
I’m not saying I’d skip an inspection every time, but with how tight my budget is right now, I’m tempted to roll the dice. Maybe that’s dumb...but sometimes it feels like these extra steps are more about covering everyone’s butt than actually protecting buyers. Anyone ever regret NOT getting an inspection with a VA loan? Or maybe found out later they dodged a bullet because they did? Just trying to figure out if this is one of those “better safe than sorry” things or if it’s overhyped for most houses.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. The VA appraiser is mainly looking for the obvious stuff—think broken windows, no heat, roof leaks, that kind of thing. They’re not crawling around in the attic or checking every outlet. I skipped the inspection once on a newer place and lucked out, but I’ve also seen friends get burned by hidden plumbing issues that cost way more than an inspection would’ve. It’s a gamble, but if you’re tight on cash and the house looks solid, I can see why you’d consider skipping it. Just know you might be rolling the dice a bit more than you think.
That’s a good point about the appraiser just checking for the big stuff. I’ve refinanced a couple times and the VA process really does focus on the basics—safe, sound, sanitary. But honestly, I’d still want a full inspection for peace of mind. Even newer homes can hide weird surprises behind the walls... learned that the hard way with a leaky shower pan that cost me way more than an inspection would’ve.
I’ve been wondering about that too—if the VA only checks for the basics, what happens if something like electrical or plumbing issues aren’t obvious? Does the VA ever require additional inspections if they spot something questionable, or is it always up to the buyer to dig deeper?
Not gonna lie, the VA’s “minimum property requirements” sound great on paper, but they’re not exactly a deep-dive home inspection. The VA appraiser is mostly there to make sure the place is safe, sound, and sanitary—think: no exposed wires, no major leaks, roof isn’t caving in. But if there’s a sneaky plumbing issue inside the walls or outdated electrical that’s not obvious? That can totally fly under the radar.
If the appraiser spots something sketchy, yeah, they might flag it and require repairs before closing. But honestly, unless it’s glaringly obvious, a lot slips through. That’s why I always tell folks: get your own home inspection. I’ve seen buyers regret skipping it because they thought the VA would catch everything (they won’t). It’s like thinking TSA will find your lost keys just because they scan your bag—sometimes you gotta look for yourself.
Long story short: the VA appraiser isn’t your personal inspector. If you want peace of mind (and fewer surprises), spring for that extra inspection. Trust me, future-you will thank present-you.