I get where you’re coming from about inspections, but I’ll throw in a slightly different take. I’ve bought two homes with VA loans, and both times I skipped the “optional” inspection. Not saying it’s for everyone, but here’s how I looked at it:
1. VA appraisal isn’t a full inspection, but it does catch some big stuff. The Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) are stricter than a lot of folks realize. My appraiser flagged a missing handrail and a leaky roof—both had to be fixed before closing. It’s not as thorough as a private inspection, but it’s not nothing either.
2. If you’re buying a newer house or one that’s been recently renovated (and you trust the builder or seller), sometimes the risk feels lower. I know, famous last words... but not everyone has $400 lying around, especially after earnest money, moving costs, etc.
3. In hot markets, waiving inspection can make your offer more competitive. I lost out on a place because I insisted on an inspection contingency. Ended up getting my second choice, which worked out fine, but it stung at the time.
That said, I totally get the peace of mind argument. If you can swing it, an inspection is smart. But I wouldn’t say it’s always “rolling the dice”—sometimes you just have to weigh the risks and your own comfort level. For me, the VA appraisal caught enough that I felt okay skipping the extra step, but I probably wouldn’t do that with a 100-year-old house or something with obvious issues.
Just my two cents. Everyone’s risk tolerance is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
I’ve always wondered about that trade-off—like, is skipping the inspection ever worth it long-term? I had a friend who relied on the VA appraisal too, but a year in, he found some hidden plumbing issues that cost him big. Ever run into any surprises after closing or did the MPRs really cover all the major stuff for you?
Here’s my take after going through the VA process last year:
- VA appraisal is NOT a real inspection. It’s more like a “does this house meet the bare minimum for humans to live here” check.
- MPRs (Minimum Property Requirements) are decent for catching big stuff—roof leaks, broken heaters, missing handrails, etc. But they’re not opening up walls or checking every pipe.
- I skipped a full inspection to save cash. Regret? Kinda. Found out later the water heater was on its last legs and the crawlspace had some sketchy wiring. Not dealbreakers, but still cost me more than an inspection would’ve.
- If you’re super tight on budget, I get it... but honestly, skipping the inspection is rolling the dice. VA appraisal won’t catch everything, especially hidden stuff like plumbing or electrical.
If I could do it over, I’d cough up the $400 for peace of mind. Lesson learned—sometimes being cheap costs more in the long run.
Totally agree with you on the VA appraisal vs. inspection thing. The appraisal’s just checking for “is this place basically safe and livable,” not digging into the nitty gritty.
“VA appraisal is NOT a real inspection. It’s more like a ‘does this house meet the bare minimum for humans to live here’ check.”
Honestly, I always recommend buyers budget for a real inspection, even if it feels like an extra hit upfront. VA’s Minimum Property Requirements catch only the obvious stuff—think missing handrails, broken windows, no heat. But you’re right, issues like old water heaters or sketchy wiring are almost always missed. An inspection can flag those before you’re stuck footing the bill.
If you’re weighing it, just remember: the VA doesn’t require a full inspection, but skipping it can definitely backfire. Peace of mind’s worth a few hundred bucks in my book.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a few cases where the VA appraisal caught stuff even a regular inspection missed—like a weird drainage issue in the backyard that would’ve turned into a swamp come spring. Not saying it’s a substitute for a full inspection, but sometimes the appraisers do go a bit deeper than just “bare minimum.” I guess it depends on who you get and how thorough they are. Still, I wouldn’t skip the inspection, but I don’t think the appraisal is always as surface-level as people make it out to be.