Honestly, I think a lot of folks get burned by this. The VA appraisal is NOT a real inspection, and it blows my mind how many buyers assume it covers everything. Like you said—
I’ve walked into properties that “passed” VA but had foundation issues or mold hiding behind the walls. For me, skipping a private inspection is just asking for trouble down the line… and surprise repair bills.“The VA doesn’t require a full inspection—just their own appraisal, which honestly barely scratches the surface.”
VA APPRAISAL ≠ INSPECTION (AND WHY IT MATTERS)
“The VA doesn’t require a full inspection—just their own appraisal, which honestly barely scratches the surface.”
This right here is the part that trips people up every single time. I can’t count how many buyers have asked me if the VA appraisal means they’re good to go, inspection-wise. Here’s how I usually break it down:
- VA appraisal is mainly for the lender. It checks if the house meets “minimum property requirements” and that it’s worth what you’re paying. That’s it.
- Appraisers are in and out fast. They’re not poking around in crawl spaces or pulling up carpet to check for mold.
- Major stuff like roof leaks, visible foundation cracks, or missing handrails might get flagged. But hidden issues? Mold behind drywall, old wiring, termite damage—they’ll likely fly under the radar.
I’ve seen houses with shiny new paint jobs pass VA, only to have a private inspector find a leaking water heater about to burst. Or one place where the attic looked fine until someone actually climbed up there and found enough mouse poop to start a fertilizer business... Not fun.
Skipping a private inspection is rolling the dice, honestly. Even with a tight budget, I’d rather know what I’m getting into than get blindsided by a $10k repair six months later.
One thing I’ll mention—sometimes sellers will push back if you ask for repairs after your own inspection, arguing “but it passed VA!” That’s just them trying to dodge extra work. The VA stamp doesn’t mean the place is flawless.
Bottom line:
- VA appraisal = safety net for the lender
- Private inspection = safety net for YOU
If you want peace of mind (and fewer expensive surprises), get both. It’s worth every penny.
Yeah, this is spot on. VA appraisal is like checking your credit score—gives you a rough idea, but doesn’t tell you if you’ve got that weird $200 cable bill from 2012 lurking in the background. I learned the hard way: my “VA-approved” place had a shower leak so sneaky, it took two months and a soggy ceiling to find. If you want to dodge those “surprise” home expenses, inspection’s a must. The VA stamp is just the starting line, not the finish.
Totally agree with you on this. The VA appraisal catches the obvious stuff, but it’s not a deep dive. I’ve been through the process twice now, and both times I paid extra for a full inspection out of pocket. It stings a bit up front, but man, it saved me from some serious headaches later. One place looked fine on paper, but the inspector found old wiring that would’ve cost a fortune to fix down the line.
I get why folks think the VA approval means “move-in ready,” but it’s more like a basic safety check. Not trying to scare anyone off, just saying—if you’re watching your budget (like most of us), that inspection is worth every penny. Surprises are great for birthdays, not for home repairs...
Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying about the VA appraisal being more of a surface-level thing. I’m in the middle of my first homebuying adventure, and honestly, I was surprised at how basic the VA requirements were. They checked for stuff like broken windows and whether the heater worked, but nobody’s poking around in the attic or crawling under the house. It almost felt like a “good enough” stamp rather than a deep dive.
I debated for a while about paying for a separate inspection—felt like just one more fee in a sea of fees. But after reading horror stories about hidden leaks and sketchy electrical, I caved. The inspector found a roof patch job that looked fine from the ground, but up close? Yikes. Would’ve cost way more to fix after closing.
Anyway, I think people hear “VA loan” and assume it’s all covered, but it’s really just the basics. If you’re picky (like me), that extra inspection is worth it... unless you like expensive surprises hiding in your walls.
