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

One thing I’m still not totally clear on—does the VA ever require extra inspections for stuff like termites or septic systems?

In my experience, it really does depend on location. I’ve bought properties in the South where the VA required a termite inspection before closing, but up north, no one even mentioned it. Never had to do a septic inspection, but I’ve heard that’s a thing in rural areas. It seems lenders interpret the guidelines differently, too. Honestly, I wouldn’t skip those checks even if they’re not required—fixing hidden termite damage is a nightmare.

Yeah, I’ve seen the same thing—VA seems to care more about termites in the South, but up here in the Midwest, nobody’s asked. Lenders can be picky, though. Personally, even if it’s not required, I’d shell out for those inspections. It’s way cheaper than surprise repairs later, trust me. Had a friend skip the septic check and ended up with a $10k bill... not worth the risk.

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

I hear you on the “better safe than sorry” approach. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks by skipping inspections, and it almost always comes back to bite them. Reminds me of this couple I worked with a while back—they were buying their first place with a VA loan, super excited, but didn’t want to pay for a radon test because “nobody in the neighborhood had issues.” Fast forward six months, and they’re calling me from their basement, which apparently had turned into a science experiment. Ended up costing them way more than the inspection would’ve.

The thing with VA loans is, technically, the VA doesn’t require a full-blown home inspection—just an appraisal that checks for minimum property requirements. But that’s not the same as a real inspection. The appraiser’s just making sure the place isn’t falling apart or a health hazard. They’re not crawling around in the attic or poking at the foundation. Lenders sometimes tack on extra requirements, especially if they spot something weird in the appraisal.

I get why people want to save money upfront, but honestly, skipping inspections is like buying a used car without popping the hood. Sure, it might run fine... until it doesn’t. And then you’re stuck with a surprise bill that makes you wish you’d just paid for the checkup.

Funny thing is, I’ve seen more deals fall apart because of stuff found during inspections than anything else. But at least then you can walk away or negotiate repairs, instead of moving in and discovering your dream home comes with a bonus colony of bats in the attic (true story—don’t ask).

Long story short, even if it’s not technically required, I’d always recommend getting those inspections. It’s like insurance for your peace of mind—and your wallet.

Here’s how I usually break it down for folks:

1. The VA loan itself doesn’t require a home inspection—just an appraisal. That appraisal checks for what they call Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). Basically, is the place safe, structurally sound, and sanitary? The appraiser isn’t going to test every outlet or crawl through the attic looking for mold.

2. A home inspection is optional but super smart. I’ve seen buyers skip it to save a few hundred bucks, only to get hit with thousands in repairs later. The appraisal just isn’t detailed enough to catch stuff like faulty wiring or hidden leaks.

3. Sometimes lenders add their own requirements if the appraiser flags something weird—like peeling paint or a questionable roof. That can mean extra inspections or repairs before closing.

4. For buyers and spouses, there’s no special inspection rule—just the same MPRs everyone has to meet.

Honestly, even if you’re pinching pennies, that inspection is worth every cent. It’s way better to find out about issues before you own them... trust me, I’ve learned that one the hard way.

Honestly, I get the logic behind skipping the inspection to save cash, but I’m still on the fence about it. Like you said,

“the appraisal just isn’t detailed enough to catch stuff like faulty wiring or hidden leaks.”