The appraisal isn’t super in-depth though—it won’t catch everything, like hidden plumbing or electrical issues. I’m kind of nervous about missing something big, so I’m leaning toward paying for a separate inspection anyway.
I get where you’re coming from. I was in the same boat—just didn’t want any surprises after closing, especially with how much you’re already spending. We ended up doing a separate inspection and honestly, it caught a couple of things the VA appraiser never even looked at (like a leaky pipe behind the wall). It cost us a bit more upfront but gave us peace of mind. If you’re even a little unsure, I think it’s worth it.
Title: Does a VA Loan Require an Inspection? What Are the VA Loan Inspection Requirements for Buyers and Spouses?
The appraisal isn’t super in-depth though—it won’t catch everything, like hidden plumbing or electrical issues. I’m kind of nervous about missing something big, so I’m leaning toward paying for a separate inspection anyway.
Totally get the nerves. I was surprised by how many people think the VA appraisal is a full inspection, but it’s really not. Here’s what I learned going through it:
- The VA appraisal is mainly about making sure the house meets their Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) and is worth what you’re paying. It’s not a deep dive into the condition of every system.
- They’ll check for things like peeling paint, roof issues, working utilities, and basic safety stuff. But they’re not opening up walls or testing every outlet.
- A home inspection is optional, but honestly, it’s the only way to get a real sense of what you’re buying. Ours found a bunch of little things—nothing major, but enough that we could negotiate repairs before closing.
I actually had a friend who skipped the inspection because they thought the VA process covered it all. Ended up with a broken water heater two weeks after moving in... not fun.
One thing I’d add: if you’re buying an older place, the inspection is even more important. Stuff like outdated wiring or hidden leaks can get expensive fast.
If you’re worried about cost, some inspectors will let you tag along and explain stuff as they go. It helped me feel way more confident about what I was getting into.
Long story short: the VA appraisal is required, but it’s not a full inspection. If you want peace of mind (and maybe some leverage for repairs), a separate inspection is worth considering—even if it feels like just another expense right now.
I hear you on the nerves—buying a house is stressful enough without worrying about hidden surprises. The VA appraisal is really just a surface-level check, so I wouldn’t rely on it for peace of mind. We did a separate inspection and, honestly, the $400-ish felt like cheap insurance. Found a leaky pipe that would’ve been a headache later. If you’re already investing this much, might as well know what you’re getting into... or at least avoid any “surprise” expenses right after moving in.
Title: VA Appraisal vs. Inspection—Worth Doing Both?
The VA appraisal is really just a surface-level check, so I wouldn’t rely on it for peace of mind. We did a separate inspection and, honestly, the $400-ish felt like cheap insurance.
That’s exactly it—the VA appraisal isn’t designed to protect you from hidden problems, just to make sure the property meets minimum standards and is worth what you’re paying. I’ve seen folks get tripped up thinking the appraisal is an actual inspection. It’s not. The appraiser might catch something obvious, but they’re not crawling under the house or checking every outlet.
I’ll be honest, I used to think paying for a separate inspection was overkill, especially when you’re already shelling out for closing costs and everything else. But after seeing a client skip it and end up with a $3k foundation repair two months later, I changed my tune. That “cheap insurance” line is spot on. It’s a small price compared to what you could be on the hook for if something big gets missed.
One thing I’d add—sometimes buyers get confused about what’s actually required. The VA doesn’t mandate a full home inspection, just the appraisal. But if you’re buying an older place or something that’s been sitting a while, why risk it? You’re already making a huge investment. Would you buy a used car without having a mechanic look at it first? Same logic.
Curious if anyone here has ever found something major during an inspection that the appraiser totally missed? I’ve heard stories about mold, faulty wiring, even pest infestations that never showed up in the appraisal report. Makes you wonder how many people move in blind and only find out when it’s too late...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ll play devil’s advocate for a sec. I know the “cheap insurance” argument is popular, but honestly, not everyone’s situation is the same. When I bought my first place with a VA loan, I skipped the separate inspection because the house was basically brand new—like, the paint was barely dry and the builder warranty covered everything for a year. I figured, why pay for someone to tell me the fridge still had the sticker on it?
I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but sometimes that $400 is a stretch, especially if you’re scraping together every penny for closing. Not to mention, some inspectors just walk around with a flashlight and a clipboard and call it a day. I’ve seen reports that were basically “yep, looks good” and still missed stuff. At least with the VA appraisal, you know they’re checking for the big safety stuff, and if you’re buying newer construction, you might be fine.
That said, if you’re buying a fixer-upper or something with “character” (aka, old pipes and creaky floors), then yeah, an inspection is probably smart. But I don’t think it’s always a must-have, especially if you’ve got a solid warranty or the place is new. Sometimes you gotta pick your battles and your expenses, you know?
And about the used car analogy—I get it, but I’ve bought some real clunkers in my day and still made it work. Sometimes you just cross your fingers and hope for the best... not the most responsible advice, but hey, life happens.
