In my experience, appraisers might flag obvious stuff like missing handrails or a non-functioning heater, but they’re not crawling under the house or checking for hidden leaks.
Yeah, totally agree with that take—VA appraisal and inspection are really two different animals. The appraisal is just making sure the house isn’t falling apart and meets the VA’s basic safety stuff. Like you said, they’ll flag missing railings or a heater that doesn’t work, but they’re not going to spot the leaky pipe behind the wall.
One thing I’d add—VA loans don’t actually require a home inspection, just the appraisal. But honestly, skipping an inspection is rolling the dice. I’ve seen buyers save a few hundred bucks upfront, only to find out later there’s a foundation crack or electrical mess hiding out of sight. The “get both” advice is gold.
Honestly, I get why folks want to skip the inspection to save cash, but man, that’s a gamble. I’ve seen people regret it big time when they find out about old wiring or sketchy plumbing after moving in. Has anyone here actually found something major with an inspection that the appraiser missed? Just curious if it’s as common as it seems or if I’m just hearing the horror stories.
- VA loans don’t technically require a full home inspection, just the VA appraisal. But the appraisal isn’t as thorough—it’s more about value and basic safety stuff.
- We almost skipped the inspection to save money, but our inspector found a busted water heater and some old knob-and-tube wiring. The appraiser totally missed both.
- Honestly, I’d say it’s not just horror stories. Seems like inspectors catch things appraisers don’t pretty often. I’d rather know before moving in, even if it costs extra up front.
- For spouses, same deal—the inspection isn’t required by the VA, but it’s smart for peace of mind.
Skipped the inspection on my first house to save a few hundred bucks, and I regretted it. Ended up with a leaky roof that cost way more than an inspection would’ve. I get wanting to cut costs, but honestly, the VA appraisal just isn’t enough. It’s tempting to skip, but in my experience, you risk missing stuff that’ll bite you later. Not saying every house is hiding problems, but I’d rather know what I’m getting into upfront.
Yeah, the VA appraisal isn’t a substitute for a real inspection. The appraisal just checks if the house meets minimum property standards and is worth the loan amount—it won’t catch everything. Skipping an inspection can be a gamble. I’ve seen folks save a few hundred upfront and then get hit with thousands in repairs later. Even if it’s not required, it’s usually money well spent.