VA LOAN INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AREN’T WHAT YOU’D EXPECT
- The VA only *requires* an appraisal, not a full inspection. That tripped me up too.
- The appraisal checks for the VA’s “minimum property requirements” (stuff like heat, water, no exposed hazards). It’s not a deep dive.
- Home inspections are totally optional but honestly, skipping one is risky. I almost did, then found out the crawlspace had standing water—would’ve been a nightmare if I hadn’t caught it.
- Sellers usually only fix things flagged by the VA appraiser, not everything an inspector might find.
- If you want real peace of mind (and to avoid expensive surprises), paying for your own inspector is worth it. The appraisal just isn’t enough.
Had the same confusion when I bought my place with a VA loan. The appraisal felt pretty surface-level—checked for basics, but missed a bunch of stuff. My inspector found a busted sewer line the appraiser never mentioned. Saved me thousands. Skipping inspection’s just not worth the gamble.
The appraisal felt pretty surface-level—checked for basics, but missed a bunch of stuff.
Yeah, the VA appraisal is really just to make sure the house meets “minimum property requirements” and is worth what you’re paying. It’s not a full inspection—they won’t crawl under the house or check every system. The VA doesn’t actually require buyers to get a home inspection, but honestly, skipping it is risky. We almost skipped ours and the inspector found some sketchy wiring in the attic. Would’ve cost a fortune down the road. Definitely worth the extra expense upfront.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about the inspection, but I’ve bought a few properties with VA loans and sometimes skipped the extra inspection—didn’t always regret it. Depends on the house and your risk tolerance, I guess. The VA appraisal is definitely not thorough, but if you’re buying newer construction or something that’s been well-maintained, sometimes the basics are enough. Not saying it’s for everyone, just that not every situation needs a deep dive.
Had one place where the inspector nitpicked stuff that never turned into real issues, and I ended up worrying more than necessary. On the flip side, I’ve also dodged a bullet thanks to an inspection. It’s a judgment call—just depends on how much peace of mind you want versus saving some cash upfront.
VA Appraisal Isn’t the Same as an Inspection
I’ve seen this play out both ways with clients. The VA appraisal is really just a minimum property standards check—it’s not meant to dig deep like a home inspection does. I had a buyer last year who figured the house was only five years old, so they skipped the inspection to save a few bucks. Everything looked great on the surface, but six months in, they found out the upstairs shower had been leaking behind the wall for who knows how long. Ended up costing more than the inspection would’ve.
But then again, I’ve also had folks get inspections where the report was 40 pages of tiny stuff—loose doorknobs, a cracked tile, that sort of thing. Nothing major, just enough to make you second-guess everything. Sometimes it feels like overkill, especially on newer homes.
Guess it comes down to your comfort level and how much risk you’re willing to take on. Personally, I lean toward getting an inspection unless you really know what you’re looking at... but I get why some folks skip it if the place seems solid and they’re watching their budget.
