The VA just wants to make sure the place meets their minimum standards, but that’s not the same as a deep dive into the house’s guts. I always tell folks: treat the inspection like insurance fo...
Funny timing—had a couple last spring who were convinced the VA appraisal was a full inspection, too. I remember telling them, "The appraiser’s not going to crawl around with a flashlight." Sure enough, the inspector found a cracked heat exchanger that would've cost them thousands. Like you said, the VA just wants to know the place is basically safe and sound, not that it’s perfect. Always worth getting that separate inspection, even if you have to pay out of pocket.
The appraiser’s not going to crawl around with a flashlight.
That line cracked me up—so true. Here’s what I learned the hard way:
- VA appraisal = “Is this place livable and not falling apart?”
- Home inspection = “What’s hiding in the attic, crawlspace, or behind that weird stain?”
I almost skipped the inspection to save cash, but after seeing what they found (old wiring, leaky pipe), I’m glad I didn’t. The VA just wants basic safety, not perfection. Worth every penny for peace of mind.
VA appraisal = “Is this place livable and not falling apart?”
Home inspection = “What’s hiding in the attic, crawlspace, or behind that weird stain?”
That’s a perfect way to sum it up. I’ve bought a handful of properties over the years, and I’m always surprised by how many folks think the VA appraisal is some kind of deep-dive inspection. It’s really just a surface-level check—like, does the roof exist, is there running water, are there any obvious safety hazards? The bar isn’t super high.
I get why people want to save money and skip the inspection, but man... that’s rolling the dice. I had one deal where the appraiser breezed through in about 15 minutes. Didn’t even peek in the crawlspace. Later, my inspector found a slow gas leak under the house. Not something you want to find out after moving in.
The thing is, with VA loans, they’re mainly looking for what they call “minimum property requirements.” Stuff like no exposed wiring, no broken windows, heat works, etc. But they’re not going to care if your water heater is on its last legs or if there’s mold growing behind drywall.
I know inspections aren’t cheap—especially when you’re already shelling out for closing costs—but skipping it can cost way more down the line. Peace of mind is worth something too. And honestly, even if you don’t end up negotiating repairs with the seller, at least you know what you’re getting into.
Funny enough, I once had an inspector who DID crawl around with a flashlight and came out looking like he’d been spelunking. Found a family of raccoons living under the porch. Appraiser? Didn’t even notice.
Long story short: VA appraisal is just checking for deal-breakers from their perspective—not yours as a buyer. If you want to know what’s really going on with a place (and avoid raccoon roommates), get that inspection done.
I had one deal where the appraiser breezed through in about 15 minutes. Didn’t even peek in the crawlspace.
That’s spot on—VA appraisal is just a quick check for the basics. I’ve refinanced a couple times and the appraiser barely looked around. Curious if anyone’s ever had a VA appraiser actually flag something major? Or is it usually just the obvious stuff?
Title: VA Appraisers—Do They Ever Flag Big Issues?
Curious if anyone’s ever had a VA appraiser actually flag something major? Or is it usually just the obvious stuff?
- In my experience, it’s mostly the obvious stuff—peeling paint, missing handrails, broken windows, that sort of thing.
- I have seen a couple of deals where the VA appraiser flagged bigger issues, like a non-functioning furnace or evidence of water intrusion in the basement. But honestly, that’s rare.
- They’re not doing a full inspection. It’s more about making sure the property meets “minimum property requirements” (MPRs). Safety, sanitation, and structural soundness are the main focus.
- If there’s something glaring—like exposed wiring or a roof that’s clearly shot—they’ll call it out. But they’re not crawling under the house or checking every outlet.
- For buyers (and spouses), I always recommend a separate home inspection. The VA appraisal isn’t meant to protect you from hidden problems, just to make sure the house is basically safe and livable.
Had one where the appraiser missed a leaking water heater entirely...so yeah, don’t rely on them to catch everything.