The VA Appraisal Checklist Every Veteran Needs Before Buying a Home

If you’re using your VA loan benefit to buy a home, there’s one thing that can quietly derail your deal…

The VA appraisal.

Most buyers assume it’s just about value. It’s not.

The VA appraiser is also checking the property against Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs)—and if the home doesn’t meet them, your deal can get delayed… or worse, fall apart completely.

That’s exactly why I created this:

The VA Appraisal Safe-to-Proceed Checklist

Download the checklist here

What Is the VA Appraisal Really Looking For?

The VA appraisal focuses on three core things:

• Safety
• Soundness
• Sanitation

This is not a full home inspection—but it is enough to stop your loan if something major is off.

Common Deal-Killing VA Appraisal Issues

Here’s where a lot of buyers get blindsided.

Exterior Problems

• Peeling paint, especially on homes built before 1978
• Roof issues with less than two years of remaining life
• Wood touching the ground, which can invite termites and rot
• Broken or fogged windows

Structural Concerns

• Large foundation cracks
• Water intrusion or visible staining
• Missing or damaged siding

Interior Issues

• Exposed wiring
• No working HVAC system
• Utilities turned off during appraisal
• Unsafe or unfinished flooring

These are exactly the kinds of issues covered in the checklist.

Why This Checklist Matters More Than Most Buyers Realize

Here’s the reality: most buyers don’t find these issues until after they’re already under contract.

By then, you may have already:

• Paid for inspections
• Gotten emotionally attached to the home
• Started negotiating under pressure

That is when things get messy fast.

This checklist helps you identify potential “don’t even write an offer” properties before you waste time, money, and momentum.

How to Use This VA Checklist Like a Pro

1. Walk the property and do a quick first-pass review
2. Look for major safety, structure, and condition concerns
3. Count the red flags you see
4. If you spot three or more major issues, proceed with caution
5. If the home looks solid, move forward with more confidence

Once you’re under contract, always bring in a professional home inspector. That inspection is your real line of defense. Think of this checklist as the early warning system.

Download Your Free VA Appraisal Checklist

No fluff. No guesswork. No wandering into a bad deal blind.

This checklist gives VA buyers a practical field guide for spotting common appraisal problems before they become contract headaches.

Click here to download the checklist

Work With Someone Who Knows VA Buyers Inside and Out

VA loans are one of the best benefits available—but they come with specific rules, timelines, and property standards.

That’s where having the right guide matters.

I’m Nick Getzendanner, a Marine Corps veteran, Broker/Owner of Energy Realty Group, and MLO. With 20 years of real estate experience, I help buyers navigate the process with a strategy that keeps things simple, smart, and mission-focused.