11/15/2022
VA Appraisal MPR Checklist
All properties financed through a VA loan must undergo a VA appraisal and meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). Some MPRs are very precise, while others give appraisers room for interpretation.
Purchased property must be residential. Office buildings or storefronts can't be financed through VA loans. If any part of the property is designed for nonresidential purposes (for example, a home hair salon), that portion must not exceed 25 percent of the total floor area.
Property must have the necessary space to assure suitable living, sleeping, cooking and sanitary facilities. Make sure the home has an adequate kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.
Mechanical systems must be safe and have reasonable future utility. Electrical and plumbing systems must be in good repair and have some usable life remaining. Any visible frayed or exposed electrical wires must be repaired.
The home's heating system must be safe and adequate. Think "electric or gas". Homes that use wood-burning stoves as a primary heating source must also have a conventional heating system that maintains a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Property must have domestic hot water, continuing supply of safe drinking water and safe method of sewage disposal. Water quality must meet local standards (usually set by the health department). If public water hookup isn't utilized, then a "well test" must be conducted and a water sample must be collected from an inside source. Sewage systems must adequately dispose of waste.
Roofing must be adequate, prevent moisture and provide reasonable future utility. The roof condition will be examined by the VA appraiser. The appraiser is not required to climb onto the roof. When a roof is defective with three or more layers of shingles it must be replaced, all old shingles must first be removed.
Crawl space must have adequate access, be clear of all debris and be properly vented. Any excessive dampness or pooling of water in the crawl space must be corrected.
Utility services must be independent for each living unit, unless there are separate shut-offs for each unit.
Properties must have safe access from the street. Properties must have private driveways or permanent easements to allow access.
Properties must be free of any hazards which adversely affect the health and safety of the occupants. This is a rather vague statement by the VA. The VA does not include specific criteria that must be met under this category, so "hazards" can be left to the interpretation of the appraiser.
No defective conditions which impair the safety, sanitation, or structural soundness of the dwelling. Appraisers are advised to watch for defective construction, poor workmanship, evidence of continuing settlement, excessive dampness, leakage and decay.
Lot must be graded so that it prevents pooling of water on the site and drains water away from the home. Poor drainage can lead to expensive exterior and foundation problems, so look for homes on properly elevated sites.
No wood-destroying insects, fungus growth or dry rot. A termite inspection may be required in your area. Properties with termite infestations must be treated and re-evaluated to garner VA approval.
Lead-based paint must be evaluated and corrected. Properties built before 1978 must be inspected for lead-based paint. Surfaces with cracked or chipped lead-based paint must either be scraped and repainted, covered with drywall, or totally removed
