Veterans Administration Financing and Required Inspections


Buy Your Side VA FinancingMany potential home buyers in and around Osceola County apply for Veterans Administration (VA) financing, and know that there will be a separate VA inspection. Aware that this separate home inspection could add complications to their mortgage, we’re often asked if – during our inspection – we’ve seen anything that could be an issue for the Veterans Administration inspector.

The Veterans Administration inspector is generally a real estate appraiser that has been trained and certified by the Veterans Administration to go beyond simply estimating the market value for the home as they would as a result of a traditional appraisal. For the VA, the appraiser must also confirm that the home meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs), a baseline standard that confirms that the house is structurally sound, safe, and move-in ready.

While the Veterans Administration appraiser has a certain amount of leeway for determining what is acceptable and safe in their personal opinion, here are some of the areas the VA will be checking.

Roof – Must be good shape, and the biggest issue that can make a house unsuitable for Veterans Administration financing. The roof should have at least a few years of useful remaining life. Shingles that are beginning to curl at the edges, visible damage, or any evidence of leaks is not acceptable.

Electrical panel – The panel and wiring must be in good safe condition and free of loose wires, damaged receptacles, or other hazards.

Plumbing – All plumbing must be satisfactory; corroded plumbing or an ancient water heater would fail the plumbing evaluation.

Heating system – The heating system must be in serviceable condition and serve all the living areas of the home.

Dry crawl space/basement – Moisture intrusion or standing water in these areas must be repaired.

General safety measures – Items that can fail this portion of the Veterans Administration inspection include missing stair railings, sagging beams, and cracked window glass.

In addition to the VA inspector’s review of the home, additional inspections may be necessary for Veterans Administration financing. After these inspections, any problems found must be resolved before closing.

  • If the home is in a termite-prone area, a WDO (Wood Destroying Organism) inspection will be needed to verify that there is no termite infestation or damage.
  • If built prior to 1978, the year lead paint was banned in the US, a lead paint inspection may be required.
  • If the home is not served by a municipal water system, a well inspection and testing of the water for bacteria contamination will be required.

Other defects not on the MPR list may also raise a concern. As the VA appraiser’s inspection is not as thorough as a regular home inspection, the VA recommends (but does not require) that you also get a traditional home inspection.

For additional information, call us at BUY YOUR SIDE Home Inspections: 407.780.0911

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