Three separate checks happen during a VA home purchase: the VA appraisal confirming Minimum Property Requirements, a private home inspection you choose to order, and sometimes a pest inspection required by your state or lender.
MPR details and pest rules vary by state, property type, and lender. Your loan officer can confirm what applies in your county.
What the Appraiser Actually Requires
Working heat, adequate roof, safe electrical and plumbing, potable water, functioning sewage or septic, and no severe structural defects. Those are the Minimum Property Requirements a VA appraiser evaluates. Cosmetic issues like old carpet or dated cabinets rarely fail. Active safety hazards routinely do.
Plan on $300 to $600 for a private inspection. The appraiser checks minimum lending standards. An inspector opens every system and tells you what will break next. They serve different purposes.
Missing handrails, GFCI outlets, weatherstripping - these run a few hundred dollars and the seller usually handles them before closing. A roof repair or furnace safety fix runs into the thousands. A failed septic system kills the deal entirely if the seller will not address it.
For example, on a $350,000 purchase with $8,500 in required repairs, having the seller pay the contractor directly keeps your monthly payment at $2,143 while clearing the loan immediately. Alternatively, a seller credit leaves your payment unchanged while you handle work after closing. If you opt to cut $8,500 off the purchase price instead, your monthly bill drops by about $52, though you will need immediate cash on hand to pay the contractor.
If the seller walks and the MPRs cannot be cleared, the VA loan will not fund. A conventional loan with 5% down is an option, but the monthly payment will be higher with PMI added.
Related Reading
- VA Loan Eligibility and Payment Estimator - who qualifies and funding fee math
- FHA vs Conventional vs VA Loans - full three-way loan comparison
- Closing Costs Explained - fees beyond inspections
- Credit Score Required for Each Mortgage Type - score floors by program
The VA Loan Calculator models the payment for any price and rate scenario. The VA eligibility and payment estimator covers funding fees and COE requirements. Closing costs explained outlines fees beyond inspections.
References: VA - VA-backed home loans - VA - Basic MPR checklist (PDF) - VA - Home Loan Guaranty Buyer’s Guide (PDF) - CFPB - Schedule a home inspection
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the VA appraiser check that a regular inspection does not?
Minimum Property Requirements - safety, soundness, sanitation. The appraiser looks for working heat, adequate roof, safe electrical, plumbing, and no severe structural issues. A home inspector goes deeper: HVAC lifespan, appliance condition, minor defects. The appraiser clears the loan. The inspector protects your wallet.
Can the seller say no to MPR repairs?
They can. If they refuse, the VA loan cannot close unless you cover the repair or the price gets adjusted. Some sellers offer a credit so you fix things after closing, but VA rules require certain safety items to be completed before funding. Your contract should spell out who pays.
Do I still need a private home inspection with a VA loan?
Yes. The VA appraisal is not a home inspection. It checks minimum lending standards, not every system in the house. A private inspection costs $300 to $600 and gives you leverage to negotiate or walk if something major surfaces like a failing HVAC or hidden termite damage.
What happens if the house fails the VA appraisal?
It depends on the issue. Handrails and GFCI outlets take a few hundred dollars and clear quickly. A failed septic or structural damage can kill the deal unless the seller agrees to fix it. If they walk, you are not obligated to stick with the property.
Related guides
- FHA vs Conventional vs VA Loans - Guide (2026) Compare FHA, conventional, and VA loans in 2026. See which loan type saves the most in monthly payments and upfront cash based on your credit score. Free guide.
- How to Assume a VA Loan - Fee & Equity Math (2026) Instantly compare assuming a VA loan vs a new mortgage. See the 0.5% funding fee, equity gap cash, and three payment examples. Free calculator.
- VA Home Loan Eligibility & Funding Fee Guide (2026) Instantly check VA loan eligibility, 2026 funding fee tiers, and 0% down payment rules. Estimate monthly payments with our free VA calculator.
- Arizona Mortgage Calculator - Phoenix Taxes (2026) Calculate Arizona and Phoenix mortgage payments with Maricopa property taxes, insurance, and PMI. See HOME Plus down payment assistance (DPA) examples. Free.
- Closing Costs Explained - Free Estimator (2026) How much closing costs really are in 2026. On a $300k home, expect $6k to $18k. Enter your price and state for an itemized cash-to-close estimate. Free.