VA loan doesn’t actually require a home inspection—just the VA appraisal, which checks for safety and habitability. But that’s not a full inspection. I get what you’re saying about new builds and warranties, though. Sometimes it really does feel like paying for peace of mind more than anything else.
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’s true, but I’ve seen appraisers miss things inspectors catch (and vice versa). If money’s tight and it’s a new place with a warranty, skipping the inspection isn’t wild. Just know what you’re trading off.
Honestly, I totally get the urge to skip the inspection when you’re counting every penny—been there, sweated that. With a new build and a warranty, it’s not the wildest gamble. I did it once and just crossed my fingers nothing weird would pop up in year one. Sometimes you gotta pick your battles (and expenses). Just keep an eye out for anything funky after you move in... warranties are great until you actually need to use them, ha.
Yeah, I hear you on the “cross your fingers and hope for the best” approach—been there, done that, got the t-shirt (and a leaky faucet). But with VA loans, it’s a little different. They don’t technically require a full-blown home inspection, but they do need an appraisal that checks for what they call “minimum property requirements.” Basically, they want to make sure the place isn’t falling apart or hiding any major safety issues. It’s not as thorough as an inspection, though.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks skip the inspection and regret it when something weird pops up that the warranty doesn’t cover. Warranties are like those gym memberships—sound great until you actually try to use them and realize there’s a bunch of fine print. If you’re tight on cash, I get it, but sometimes spending a little upfront saves you from those “uh-oh” moments down the road. Just my two cents...
I totally get the “spend a little upfront” logic—been weighing that myself.
That hits home. I’m leaning toward getting an inspection even though it’s not required, just for peace of mind. Has anyone run into issues with the VA’s minimum property requirements missing stuff? Like, does the appraisal ever catch things an inspection wouldn’t, or is it usually the other way around?“Warranties are like those gym memberships—sound great until you actually try to use them and realize there’s a bunch of fine print.”
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
“Warranties are like those gym memberships—sound great until you actually try to use them and realize there’s a bunch of fine print.”
That’s too real. I always feel like the VA’s minimum property requirements are kind of a “bare minimum” checklist—like, yeah, they’ll flag a missing handrail or a leaky roof, but they’re not crawling around in the attic looking for mold or old wiring. In my experience, the appraisal is more about protecting the lender than you. An inspection digs way deeper. I’d rather pay upfront than find out later I bought a money pit... just my two cents.