I hear you on the inspection. When we bought our place, the VA appraisal flagged a couple things, but the inspector found way more—like a slow leak behind the shower wall that hadn’t even shown up as damage yet. That would’ve been a nightmare down the road. I get wanting to save money, but skipping the inspection just isn’t worth the gamble in my book. Even if everything looks fine, there’s always something hiding where you can’t see it.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. The VA appraisal is just there to make sure the place meets minimum standards and isn’t about uncovering every little issue. Inspections are a different beast—they’re like the nosy neighbor who checks behind your curtains and under the rug. I once thought I could skip it on my first house... ended up with a “charming” surprise in the attic that cost me way more than an inspection would’ve. Definitely worth the peace of mind, even if your wallet grumbles a bit at first.
- You nailed it—VA appraisal isn’t a deep dive, just a basic check.
- I’ve seen folks skip inspections thinking the VA covers everything... big mistake.
- Inspections might sting up front, but trust me, hidden issues are way pricier.
- Learned that the hard way with a busted sewer line once—never again.
- Even if you’re feeling confident, that peace of mind is worth every penny.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean. I almost skipped the inspection because I thought the VA stuff was enough—glad I didn’t. Found out the roof needed work, which would’ve been a nightmare later. That upfront cost saved me a ton of stress.
I used to think the VA appraisal was the same thing as an inspection, too. It’s a common mix-up. The VA does require an appraisal, which checks for basic safety and livability issues, but it’s not a full home inspection. The appraiser might notice obvious stuff—like a leaking roof or missing handrails—but they’re really focused on whether the property meets the VA’s minimum property requirements.
Here’s how I broke it down when I refinanced:
1. The VA appraisal is mandatory, but it’s not super in-depth.
2. A separate home inspection isn’t required by the VA, but skipping it can be risky.
3. The inspection digs into things like the roof, HVAC, plumbing—stuff that could cost you big time if missed.
I almost skipped the inspection to save a few hundred bucks, but after hearing horror stories from friends (mold behind walls, electrical nightmares), I decided not to risk it. That up-front cost is nothing compared to what repairs could run later... especially if you’re already stretching for closing costs.
If you’re buying with a spouse, same deal applies—VA doesn’t require an inspection for either of you, but honestly, peace of mind is worth every penny.
