Had a deal nearly fall through once because the appraiser flagged a missing handrail on three steps—meanwhile, the cracked foundation didn’t even get a mention. It’s honestly a bit of a lottery. I always tell folks: expect the unexpected with VA appraisals.
I’ve been digging into this too since we’re in the middle of buying with a VA loan. From what I’ve found, the VA doesn’t technically require a full “inspection” like you’d get with a home inspector—it’s more about the appraisal, which checks if the house meets their Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). But honestly, reading stories like yours makes me wonder how consistent those appraisals really are. Like, handrail = dealbreaker but cracked foundation = no biggie? That’s wild.
We’re planning to get our own inspection anyway, just for peace of mind. Has anyone here had an appraiser catch something major that an inspector missed—or vice versa? I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth doubling up or if we’re just being paranoid...
I’ve been wondering about this too, especially since we’re trying to avoid any surprises after closing. I’ve heard stories where the appraiser flagged something small, like chipped paint, but totally missed bigger issues that the inspector caught—like old wiring or plumbing problems. It makes me question how thorough the VA appraisal really is compared to a full inspection. Has anyone run into a situation where the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements actually ended up being stricter than what a regular inspector would flag? Or is it usually the other way around?
In my experience, the VA appraisal tends to focus more on broad safety and livability—think handrails, heat, peeling paint—rather than the nitty-gritty stuff like wiring or foundation cracks. I had a client whose house passed the VA appraisal with flying colors, but when we did a full inspection, we found some pretty outdated electrical work that needed attention. The VA’s Minimum Property Requirements can be strict about visible issues (like exposed wires or broken windows), but they’re not really a substitute for a thorough inspection. I’d say the inspector is usually tougher when it comes to the hidden stuff.
Honestly, I’ve seen the VA appraiser catch some things that surprised me. Maybe it depends on who you get, but I’ve had deals where the appraiser flagged old electrical panels or even water stains in the attic. Not saying they’re as thorough as a full inspection—definitely not—but sometimes they do dig a bit deeper than just “is there a handrail?” or “does the furnace turn on?”
- VA appraisal is mostly about MPRs, sure, but I wouldn’t call it surface-level only. They’ve sent houses back for loose outlets, missing GFCIs, and even questionable foundation cracks if they’re really obvious.
- I always remind buyers: The VA appraisal isn’t a home inspection. You can pass the appraisal and still have costly repairs hiding out of sight.
- Funny thing, I had a borrower get delayed because the VA appraiser noticed a tiny patch of mold in the basement corner. Inspector barely mentioned it.
Bottom line, I’d say the appraisal can be stricter than folks expect sometimes. But yeah, you still need that full inspection if you want peace of mind.