“the appraisal is more about protecting the lender than you. An inspection digs way deeper.”
That’s exactly what I ran into. When we went through the VA process, I thought the appraisal would catch everything, but nope—just the basics. We almost skipped a private inspection to save money, but our inspector found some old electrical stuff that wasn’t up to code. The VA didn’t care, but I definitely did. Do most people just get both? Or is it overkill?
Title: VA Appraisal vs. Inspection—Worth Doing Both?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I wouldn’t call it overkill at all. In my experience, skipping the inspection is where people get burned—especially with older homes. The VA appraisal just checks if the place meets minimum standards and is worth the loan amount. It’s not going to flag every outdated wire or hidden leak. I’ve seen folks regret not spending that extra few hundred bucks upfront when they end up with a big repair bill later. For me, it’s just part of the cost of protecting your investment.
Funny how many folks mix up the VA appraisal and inspection—happens all the time. The VA only *requires* an appraisal, which is really just their way of making sure the house isn’t falling apart and is worth what you’re paying. But an actual inspection? That’s all on you. I always tell people: would you buy a used car without popping the hood? Same deal here. The appraisal might spot a leaky roof, but it won’t catch every little quirk or issue lurking behind the walls. Worth the peace of mind, if you ask me.
Title: Does a VA loan require an inspection? What are the VA loan inspection requirements for buyers and spouses?
You nailed it with the used car analogy. I’ve seen way too many folks get tripped up thinking that VA appraisal means the house is “good to go,” when really, it’s just a quick once-over to make sure it meets the minimum standards and isn’t wildly overpriced. The appraisal is more like a drive-by than a deep dive.
I’ll admit, when we bought our first place with a VA loan, I thought the appraisal would catch everything major. Turns out, nope. The inspector we hired found all sorts of stuff—old wiring, weird plumbing under the sink, even a squirrel nest in the attic (no joke). None of that came up in the appraisal report. If we’d skipped the inspection, we’d have been on the hook for some expensive surprises.
It’s tempting to save a few hundred bucks and just go with what the VA requires, but honestly, that’s penny wise and pound foolish. The last thing you want is to move in and find out your “dream home” needs thousands in repairs you weren’t expecting. Even if you’re handy, some things are better caught early... or at least before you sign your life away on a mortgage.
I get that some folks feel like the VA process is already enough hoops to jump through, but skipping an inspection just isn’t worth it. Appraisal is for the lender’s peace of mind; inspection is for yours. Two different animals.
Funny thing—my neighbor thought he could skip both because “the house looked fine.” Fast forward six months: foundation issues. He’s still kicking himself.
Long story short: don’t confuse the two, and don’t skip the inspection unless you like expensive surprises.
I get where you’re coming from, and yeah, skipping an inspection can be risky. But I’ve seen folks who really know what they’re looking at—contractors, for example—opt out and do just fine. Not saying it’s for everyone, but sometimes the extra cost doesn’t make sense if you’re buying newer construction or you’ve got the skills to spot issues yourself. I guess it comes down to your risk tolerance and how much you trust your own eye. Is it always worth the money? Maybe, maybe not.
