“I’d rather pay for the inspection and sleep better at night, but I know not everyone sees it that way.”
Yeah, I’m with you there. I always tell folks: VA appraisal ≠ full inspection. Here’s my quick-and-dirty checklist:
1. VA appraisal checks value and some safety stuff (think: peeling paint, busted handrails).
2. It’s not a full home inspection—doesn’t cover roof leaks or sneaky plumbing issues.
3. Skipping the inspection is like skipping dessert—sure, you can, but why risk regret later?
Learned that one the hard way after moving into a place with a “mystery odor”... turns out, ancient carpet + leaky pipes = not ideal.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think the VA appraisal was all I needed—until I found out the hard way that “safe and sound” doesn’t mean “no weird smells or surprise leaks.” Paying for an inspection felt like a pain at first, but honestly, it saved me way more stress (and cash) down the road. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a couple hundred bucks, you know?
I’ve seen a lot of folks get tripped up thinking the VA appraisal is a full home inspection—it’s really not. I had a client once who thought the “minimum property requirements” covered everything, but then found out about a hidden plumbing issue after closing. The VA just wants to make sure the place is basically livable, not perfect. Curious—did anyone here ever end up walking away from a house after an inspection turned up something big?
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
Yeah, I ran into something similar. The VA appraisal gave me a false sense of security at first, but my own inspector found some electrical issues that would’ve cost a ton to fix. It’s easy to assume the VA covers everything, but they really don’t. I almost walked away, but the seller agreed to fix it. Definitely worth getting your own inspection, even if it feels redundant.
It’s easy to assume the VA covers everything, but they really don’t.
Right? The VA appraisal is like a car’s check engine light—it’ll tell you if something’s wrong, but not *what* or *how much* it’ll cost. I learned the hard way that “minimum property requirements” doesn’t mean “move-in ready.” Good call sticking with your own inspector.