Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think inspectors were just nitpicking for the sake of it, but after my VA loan inspection, I realized how much stuff can fly under the radar. Mine caught a weird patch job in the attic insulation—turns out there was a slow leak nobody mentioned. At first, it felt like a headache, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that before moving in than have a surprise repair bill later. It’s annoying in the moment, but I guess that’s why they’re so thorough with VA loans.
Yeah, I hear you on the inspection headaches. Here’s how I see it after going through a couple of these with VA loans:
- They’re definitely stricter than regular inspections—stuff like peeling paint or missing handrails gets flagged, even if it feels minor.
- On the flip side, I’d rather have them catch things early. My last place had an old water heater that looked fine but was about to fail. Inspector called it out, seller replaced it before closing. Saved me a chunk of change.
- The process can drag things out, especially if repairs are needed and you’re on a tight timeline. That part’s frustrating, not gonna lie.
- Some stuff feels nitpicky (like tiny cracks in the driveway), but most of it really does protect you from big costs down the road.
If you’re budget-conscious like me, those “annoying” requirements can actually work in your favor. It’s less fun upfront, but way better than getting hit with surprise expenses after you move in. Just gotta keep your patience during all the back-and-forth...
Totally get what you mean about the nitpicky stuff—my inspector flagged a missing screen on a basement window, and I had to resist the urge to ask if he wanted to check my lightbulbs too. But I guess it’s better than moving in and finding out the “quirky” step is actually a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Curious, did anyone else have sellers push back on making repairs? My last deal almost fell apart because the seller didn’t want to touch the chipping paint on the garage. Took a week of back and forth before they caved. Made me wonder, is it just VA loans that make sellers so jumpy, or are folks seeing this with other types too? I sometimes feel like VA buyers get a reputation for being “high maintenance” just because of these rules.
Also, has anyone ever had something flagged that you thought was just ridiculous? I’m still laughing about the inspector who measured my stair railing and said it was half an inch too low. Like, is that really going to make or break my homeownership dreams?
Had a similar thing happen with a cracked outlet cover—inspector flagged it like it was a major hazard. Seller rolled their eyes but fixed it. I’ve noticed FHA can be just as picky, honestly. VA just gets the “high maintenance” label more often, which isn’t always fair. The railing thing cracks me up... half an inch? Guess we’re all giants now.
Yeah, the railing thing gets me every time—I've had inspectors measure with a tape and call out a quarter inch difference. I get safety, but sometimes it feels like overkill. Have you ever had them flag peeling paint too? That one always seems to come up, even on newer places.
