Honestly, whenever a seller tries to convince buyers to skip the inspection, I get major “what are you hiding?” vibes. The VA appraisal is just a surface-level check—think of it as making sure the car has tires, not that the engine works. I’ve seen too many folks regret skipping the full inspection just to save a few bucks. It’s wild how much can lurk behind walls or under floors. If you ask me, peace of mind is worth the upfront sting.
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes an inspection can actually slow things down unnecessarily, especially with newer builds. I’ve sold places where the buyers insisted on a full inspection, and all they found was a loose cabinet hinge. Not saying you should always skip it, but there are cases where it’s just overkill. The VA appraisal does catch the big stuff, at least in my experience.
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
The VA appraisal does catch the big stuff, at least in my experience.
That’s been my experience too, for the most part. The VA appraiser flagged a roof issue on my last place that I honestly hadn’t even noticed, so I do think they’re pretty thorough with the major stuff. But I get what you mean about inspections sometimes feeling like overkill, especially with newer homes. I had one where the inspector spent more time chatting about his favorite football team than actually finding problems—ended up with a list of tiny things like a sticky window and a missing outlet cover.
Still, I guess I’m a little paranoid after buying an older house years ago and skipping the inspection to “save time.” Turned out there was a slow leak under the kitchen sink that had been going for who knows how long. Not a huge deal, but it did end up costing me more than I expected. Since then, I’ve leaned toward getting an inspection just for peace of mind, even if it’s just to confirm there’s nothing major.
I’ve always wondered, though—has anyone ever had a VA appraiser miss something big? Or maybe had an inspector catch something that would’ve been a dealbreaker? I know the VA has their Minimum Property Requirements, but sometimes it feels like those are more about safety and habitability than the nitty-gritty stuff.
Curious if anyone’s ever regretted skipping the inspection, or if it really is just an extra step for most newer builds.
I know the VA has their Minimum Property Requirements, but sometimes it feels like those are more about safety and habitability than the nitty-gritty stuff.
- VA appraisal isn’t a full inspection—just checks for big-ticket safety/habitability stuff.
- Had a VA appraiser miss some old wiring in my place. Inspector caught it, saved me a headache.
- For newer homes, maybe less risk, but I’d still want an inspection. Peace of mind’s worth a few hundred bucks.
- Skipping it can bite you later... even if the house looks perfect on the surface.
VA Appraisal vs. Inspection: Why Both Matter
Totally agree that the VA appraisal isn’t a substitute for a real inspection. The appraiser’s job is to make sure the place meets those Minimum Property Requirements—stuff like working heat, no exposed wiring, safe water, and a roof that won’t cave in. But they’re not digging into every nook and cranny.
I’ve seen folks skip the inspection thinking the VA process covers everything, but that’s risky. My cousin bought with a VA loan and thought he was good to go after the appraisal. Turns out there was a slow leak under the kitchen sink that only showed up when the inspector ran all the faucets for a while. Not something an appraiser would catch.
If you’re trying to protect your credit and avoid surprise expenses down the road, spending a few hundred on an inspection is just smart. Even newer homes can have issues—sometimes it’s just shoddy work or missed details during construction. Peace of mind now beats scrambling for repairs later... especially when you’re already juggling moving costs and everything else.