VA Minimum Property Requirements
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs establishes the MPRs. The purpose is to ensure the house is in good condition and meets the VA’s standards for property safety, soundness and sanitation.
Here are ten VA loan appraisal requirements and what you should know about them.
1. Space Requirements
All homes must have enough space for your family. This includes adequate living space, sleeping quarters, cooking and dining areas, and bathrooms. The home doesn’t have to be large – just big enough to fit your family’s needs according to the VA guidelines and local building codes.
2. Access And Encroachments
All properties must have year-round street access to the home, and any private roads must have a permanent easem*nt and be managed by a homeowners association (HOA). The property must also not encroach on another property. This includes any part of the property, such as a garage, utility easem*nt or any other building.
3. Hazards
The property must be free of any natural hazards, including flood zones, sinkholes and any type of environmental contamination. This includes radon gas, asbestos and lead-based paint. The MPRs consider any threat to physical health or safety a hazard, and anything that could affect the structural soundness of the property.
4. Water Supply, Sanitary Facilities And Sewage Disposal
The property must have year-round access to safe and potable water used for drinking, showering, bathing and any other sanitary uses. There must be a supply of hot water and sanitary facilities to use for all family members. The property must also effectively manage safe sewage disposal systems.
5. Gas, Electricity And Other Utilities
Every house must have adequate utilities, including electric, gas and properly working HVAC systems. All home systems must be in good working condition, including gas and electrical systems. The heating system must work well to heat the entire home during the colder months, and the A/C must work well to cool the home down during the warmer months.
6. Home Structure
The home must have well-managed structures, including a roof, crawl spaces, basem*nts and attics free from pest damage, mold, mildew or other infestations.
The home’s roof must protect it from moisture and be free of the need for immediate maintenance. All attic, basem*nt and crawl spaces should have easy access, be free from debris or hazards and have proper ventilation.
7. Pest Inspection, Dry Rot And Other Signs Of Deterioration
Appraisers must note any damage caused by termites, wood-destroying insects, pest infestation, dry rot or any other defects that cause structural issues with the home. The appraiser must look for issues that could make the home less stable and/or put the occupants in harm’s way.
8. Proper Drainage
The home must be able to drain away from the foundation, and there shouldn’t be any pooling of water on the site. If there are any noticeable issues with the property’s drainage, the appraiser must report them.
9. Pools
Pools are allowed for VA financing, but they must be in good working order. The appraiser must report any defects or hazards a pool poses, which could limit its ability to pass the MPRs. As long as the pool equipment is in good working condition and the pool itself doesn’t have any observable defects, it should pass the MPR for a VA loan.
10. Proximity To Airports
If a property is located near an airport, the VA appraiser must evaluate whether any airport noise or other concerns will affect the home’s livability, safety and fair market value.
If a veteran wants to purchase an existing or new construction property that’s located in a Clear Zone, which means it's within a certain distance from an airport runway, the veteran must acknowledge the potential effects of buying the house. The veteran buyer will likely have to sign some paperwork provided by the appraiser acknowledging the proximity to an airport runway.
Proposed construction properties in Clear Zones do not pass the MPRs and are not eligible for VA loans.
