Does A VA Loan Require An Inspection? What Are The VA Loan Inspection Requirements For Buyers And Spouses?
You nailed it about the difference between the VA appraisal and a true inspection. I’ll admit, when I first started looking at homes with a VA loan, I thought the appraisal would cover all the bases. It’s easy to assume that since it’s required, it must be thorough... but after reading through the actual MPRs and seeing one in action, it’s clear they’re just checking for glaring issues. My appraiser spent maybe 20 minutes walking around and didn’t even look at half the stuff my inspector later flagged.
I get why people skip inspections—money’s tight, and every extra cost feels like a punch in the gut. But honestly, I’d rather know about a $2k electrical problem up front than get blindsided after closing. One friend of mine skipped the inspection to save cash and ended up with a leaking water heater that ruined their floors two months in. Not fun.
If you’re on a budget, maybe shop around for inspectors or see if you can do a basic walk-through with someone who knows what to look for. But yeah, relying on just the VA appraisal is risky. It’s more about checking boxes for the lender than protecting you as the buyer.
Couldn’t agree more about the VA appraisal not being enough. I’ve seen folks get burned thinking it’s a deep dive, but really it’s just a surface check for the lender’s sake. I get that inspections feel like just another hit to the wallet, but skipping them is rolling the dice. I’ve walked into “move-in ready” places only to find stuff the appraiser never even glanced at. You’re making a smart call thinking ahead—better to spend a bit now than a lot later.
VA Appraisal ≠ Home Inspection: Here’s Why It Matters
- VA appraisal is really just a box-check for the lender. It’s about making sure the property meets the VA’s minimum property requirements (MPRs) and that it’s worth what you’re paying. It’s not a deep dive into the guts of the house.
- Home inspection, on the other hand, is for *you*. That’s where you find out if there’s a leaky roof, ancient wiring, or a crawlspace full of mold. The appraiser might not even poke their head in those places.
- I’ve seen folks skip the inspection because they thought “VA already checked it.” Big mistake. My neighbor did that—ended up with a busted sewer line two months after closing. The appraiser never caught it because it wasn’t visible or part of their checklist.
I get that inspections feel like another expense, but honestly, it’s one of those “pay now or pay way more later” situations. I’d rather know what I’m getting into before signing anything.
One thing I’m curious about: has anyone actually had a VA appraiser flag something major that an inspector missed? Or vice versa? In my experience, inspectors always catch more, but maybe there are exceptions.
Also, for buyers with spouses—did you run into any extra hoops with the VA requirements? I remember hearing something about occupancy rules but never dealt with it myself. Wondering if that ever complicates things for folks who can’t move in right away due to deployments or job stuff.
Just my two cents... but I’d never skip an inspection, no matter what the appraisal says.
Also, for buyers with spouses—did you run into any extra hoops with the VA requirements? I remember hearing something about occupancy rules but never dealt with it myself.
VA Appraisal ≠ Home Inspection is spot on. I’ve seen folks get confused and think the VA’s “minimum property requirements” are a full-blown inspection, but they’re really not. The appraisal is for the lender’s peace of mind, not yours.
- VA doesn’t *require* a home inspection, but skipping it is risky. I’ve seen buyers regret it down the road.
- Occupancy rules can get tricky with spouses—VA expects you or your spouse to move in within 60 days. Deployments or job relocations sometimes need extra paperwork or explanations.
Curious—has anyone here actually had a VA appraiser call out something big that an inspector missed? In my experience, it’s usually the other way around...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a VA appraiser flag a major electrical issue that the inspector totally missed—wiring in the attic that wasn’t up to code. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes those “minimum property requirements” catch stuff inspectors gloss over, especially if the inspector’s not super thorough. I wouldn’t rely on the appraisal alone, but I wouldn’t say it’s always just for the lender’s benefit either. Sometimes it works out in the buyer’s favor, even if that’s not the main goal.
