Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?

Had an appraiser once flag a busted furnace, but honestly, that’s rare in my experience. Inspectors are the ones who really crawl around and find the weird stuff - like the time we found a squirrel nest in the attic. Anyone ever have an appraiser actually miss something big that came back to bite later?

Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?

Inspectors are the ones who really crawl around and find the weird stuff - like the time we found a squirrel nest in the attic.

I get where you’re coming from, but I actually had an appraiser miss something pretty major when I refinanced last year. The guy just did a quick walk-through, checked boxes, and left. A month later, we discovered a slow leak under the kitchen sink that had rotted out part of the cabinet and subfloor. Not exactly “squirrel nest in the attic” level weird, but still expensive to fix.

Honestly, I think people put too much faith in appraisers catching everything. Their job’s mostly about value and basic safety stuff for the lender - not digging into every nook and cranny. That’s why I always recommend getting a separate inspection, even if it’s not technically required for a VA loan. The VA appraisal has its own checklist (like making sure there’s heat, no peeling paint if it’s an older home, etc.), but it’s not nearly as thorough as what an inspector does.

Long story short: don’t skip the inspection just because you’re doing a VA loan or refi. Appraisers can miss things that’ll cost you way more down the road.

I get why people recommend the extra inspection, but honestly, sometimes it just feels like another cost stacked on top of everything else. When I bought my place with a VA loan, I read up on the appraisal requirements - stuff like working heat, safe electrical, no big health hazards. For me, that covered the basics. I know inspectors can find hidden stuff, but if you’re already stretching your budget, dropping another few hundred bucks isn’t always realistic.

Not saying it’s a bad idea, just that it’s not always necessary for everyone. If the house is newer or looks well-maintained, I’d rather put that money toward repairs or upgrades I actually want. I guess it depends on your risk tolerance and how much wiggle room you have financially. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles...

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve gotta say, skipping the inspection can be a gamble - even with a newer place. The VA appraisal checks for the basics, sure, but it’s not nearly as thorough as a real inspection. When we bought our last house, the inspector found a slow leak behind a wall that would’ve cost thousands down the line. I get that money’s tight, but sometimes that upfront cost saves you way more headaches (and cash) later. Just my two cents...

Honestly, I get the urge to save a buck, but skipping a real inspection just feels risky - especially since the VA appraisal isn’t really looking for hidden stuff, just making sure the place meets their minimum standards. I’ve seen folks get burned thinking everything looked fine because it was “newer.” Out of curiosity, has anyone here actually had a VA appraiser catch something major that a separate inspector missed? Or is it usually the other way around?