Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think the VA appraisal can sometimes catch more than folks expect. When I bought last year, our appraiser flagged a missing handrail and some peeling paint—stuff I’d totally overlooked. Didn’t replace a full inspection, but it did make the seller fix a couple things before closing. Still, I agree: paying for your own inspector is non-negotiable if you want to avoid nasty surprises down the road. The VA process just isn’t designed to protect buyers from every hidden issue.
I hear you—my VA appraiser caught some chipped paint on the porch steps, but totally missed a leaky faucet that ended up costing me later. It’s wild what gets flagged and what doesn’t. Honestly, I wouldn’t trust the appraisal to catch much more than the obvious stuff. I know it’s an extra cost, but skipping a proper inspection just feels like tempting fate... and my wallet can’t handle any more surprises.
