Yeah, I was surprised by how different the VA appraisal is from a regular home inspection. The VA doesn’t actually require a full inspection—just their own appraisal, which checks for those “minimum property requirements.” Stuff like working heat, no exposed wiring, safe stairs, and no major leaks. But they’re not going to crawl under the house or test every outlet. We paid for our own inspection just to be safe, and honestly, it caught way more little things than the VA appraiser did. If you want peace of mind, I’d definitely recommend doing both.
Honestly, I had the same confusion when we started looking into VA loans. The appraisal is really just a surface-level check to make sure the house meets those minimum property requirements—stuff like safe access, working utilities, and no obvious hazards. It’s not nearly as thorough as a home inspection.
Here’s how we handled it, step by step:
1. We scheduled the VA appraisal (required for the loan). The appraiser checked for basic safety and habitability but didn’t dig deep.
2. Separately, we hired our own inspector. That report flagged a bunch of smaller issues—leaky faucet, loose railing, minor electrical stuff—that the VA appraiser totally missed.
3. We used the inspection findings to negotiate a few repairs with the seller, which saved us some cash down the line.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, it’s tempting to skip the inspection, but honestly, it can pay for itself if it uncovers something big. The VA doesn’t require it, but I’d say it’s worth budgeting for both. Better to know what you’re getting into before you sign anything.
You nailed it—people mix up the VA appraisal and a home inspection all the time. The VA appraiser’s job is basically to make sure the house isn’t about to fall over and that you won’t get electrocuted plugging in your toaster. That’s it. They’re not crawling into the attic or poking around behind the water heater for fun.
I’ve seen buyers skip the inspection thinking the VA’s got their back, only to find out later they bought a “fixer-upper” they didn’t bargain for. Trust me, nothing kills the new-home buzz like discovering your dream house comes with a side of mystery leaks.
One thing I’d add: sometimes sellers get nervous about VA loans because of those minimum property requirements, but honestly, if the house is in decent shape, it’s usually not a big deal. The real surprises come from the inspection, not the appraisal. If you’re already spending hundreds of thousands, what’s a few hundred more for peace of mind? Just my two cents...
That’s exactly what I’ve been worried about—thinking the VA appraisal would cover everything, but it really doesn’t. I totally agree, spending a bit extra on a proper inspection is worth it just for peace of mind. I’d much rather know about any weird plumbing or electrical surprises up front. Honestly, I don’t get why some folks skip it... seems like a big risk for what you’re investing. Thanks for sharing your perspective—it makes this whole process feel a little less intimidating.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen buyers get a little too anxious about inspections. The VA appraisal does catch some big stuff—like safety hazards or major code issues. Sure, it’s not as thorough as a full inspection, but sometimes folks end up paying for both and finding the same problems. If the house is newer or well-maintained, I’d say weigh the risk before spending extra. Not every situation needs the full deep dive, though it’s definitely safer if you want that peace of mind.
