Had a client last year who thought the VA appraisal was enough—passed with no issues, but they skipped the inspection. Three months in, they found a slow leak under the kitchen sink that had been going for ages. Not something the appraiser would ever catch. The VA’s “safe, sound, sanitary” standard is pretty basic. I always tell folks: an inspection’s not required, but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Title: VA Appraisal vs. Inspection: Lessons Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way)
The VA’s “safe, sound, sanitary” standard is pretty basic. I always tell folks: an inspection’s not required, but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
This right here is the part that gets people tripped up. When I refinanced last year, I went through this whole song and dance with my lender about what was actually required. The appraiser came in, poked around for 15 minutes, and gave me a thumbs up. Meanwhile, my wife’s in the background whispering about that weird smell under the bathroom sink... which turned out to be a leaky pipe that had been dripping into the cabinet for who knows how long.
Here’s my step-by-step breakdown for anyone else trying to figure out what’s actually necessary:
1. VA Appraisal: Required. They check if your house is basically standing, doesn’t have exposed wires or a raccoon living in the attic (I wish I was joking—my neighbor had this happen).
2. Home Inspection: Not required by the VA, but honestly? It’s like skipping dessert at Thanksgiving—technically allowed, but you’ll regret it later.
3. Repairs: If something fails the “safe, sound, sanitary” test during appraisal? Seller has to fix it before closing. But if it’s something sneaky like a slow leak or ancient wiring hiding behind drywall... good luck finding that without an inspection.
I get why folks skip inspections—extra cost, feels redundant—but man, those hidden issues add up fast once you’re on the hook for repairs. Anyone else ever run into stuff after closing that made you wish you’d shelled out for an inspection? Or am I just unlucky with pipes and mysterious smells?
it’s like skipping dessert at Thanksgiving—technically allowed, but you’ll regret it later.
Couldn’t agree more. I once bought a place that “passed” the appraisal, only to find out the previous owner had a pet snake living in the HVAC vent. Inspection would’ve caught that (or at least the missing vent cover). Pipes and smells are just the tip of the iceberg... you’re not alone.
Yeah, the VA appraisal isn’t a full-on inspection—more like a “does this house exist and is it basically livable” check. I’ve seen folks skip the real inspection and end up with stuff way weirder than snakes... ever heard of raccoons in the attic? Worth the extra step, trust me.
I get why people push for a separate inspection, but honestly, I’ve bought with just the VA appraisal before and didn’t run into anything major—guess it’s a bit of a gamble though. Not everyone’s house is hiding critters or ancient wiring. Sometimes the extra cost just feels like overkill, especially if you’re tight on cash after closing.