Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?

The VA appraisal tripped me up too when I refinanced last year—I thought it was a full inspection, but it’s really not. It’s more like a check to make sure the place meets basic safety and livability standards, but it won’t catch stuff like old wiring or a roof that’s about to go. We paid for our own inspection and found a few issues that would’ve been a nightmare down the road. The VA doesn’t require buyers to get an inspection, but honestly, I wouldn’t skip it. Anyone else surprised by what their inspector found?

Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?

You’re spot on about the difference between a VA appraisal and a home inspection—people mix those up all the time. The VA appraisal is really just a minimum property standards check, not a deep dive into the guts of the house. It’s more like, “Does this place have heat? Is there running water? Are there any glaring safety hazards?” It won’t tell you if your furnace is on its last leg or if the electrical panel is straight out of the 1950s.

I’ve seen folks get blindsided by this. They assume because the VA sent someone out, everything must be fine. Then they move in and suddenly there’s water in the basement or half the outlets don’t work. Not fun.

Honestly, I always tell people—even if you’re not required to do it—get your own inspection. It’s a few hundred bucks that can save you thousands (and a lot of headaches). Had one client who thought their place was turnkey, but their inspector found some pretty gnarly termite damage hiding behind a finished wall. The VA appraiser never would’ve caught that.

One thing I’ll add: sometimes buyers get frustrated because they think the VA is being picky with their “minimum property requirements,” but it’s really just basic stuff—no peeling lead paint, no exposed wiring, that kind of thing. If you’re expecting them to check every nook and cranny, you’ll be disappointed.

In short: no, the VA doesn’t require you to get an inspection, but skipping it is rolling the dice. The appraisal is just there to make sure you’re not buying something unlivable—not to guarantee it’s problem-free. If peace of mind matters (and it should), spring for that inspection... even if it feels like overkill at first.

I’ve been through the VA loan process twice now, and I’ll admit the first time I was pretty confused about what the VA actually checks. The appraisal felt more like a quick once-over than a real inspection. I remember thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” when the appraiser left after maybe 20 minutes. We ended up hiring our own inspector, and thank goodness—he found a roof leak that would’ve cost us a fortune down the line.

I get why people assume the VA is super strict, but honestly, their minimum property requirements are just that—minimum. It’s not about nitpicking, it’s about making sure the place is basically safe and livable. If you want to know what you’re really getting into, a separate inspection is just smart. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind, especially if you’re planning to stay put for a while.

That’s really helpful to hear from someone who’s been through it. I’ve been reading up on the VA appraisal and was surprised by how basic it is—like you said, it’s mostly about making sure the house isn’t falling apart.

“their minimum property requirements are just that—minimum.”

Honestly, in my experience, the VA appraiser was mostly focused on the big-ticket safety stuff—think peeling paint, missing handrails, or anything that could be a hazard. They didn’t get into the weeds about old wiring or plumbing unless it was obviously unsafe or not working at all. That’s where your own inspection comes in handy. I remember stressing over some ancient pipes in our place, but the appraiser barely glanced at them... turns out, as long as water came out and nothing was leaking everywhere, it passed.