VA Minimum Property Standards
The property guidelines for VA Home Loans have become much kinder and gentler since days past. Today the minimum property standards for VA are almost identical to the requirements for an FHA loan. This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list, if you are looking for that, go to the VA Handbook!
- Peeling Paint, exterior and interior
- Properties Built in 1978 or Later – If the dwelling or related improvements were built in 1978 or later, all defective paint surfaces on the exterior will require repair of any defective paint that exposes the subsurface to the elements. Interior defective paint on a dwelling built in 1978 or later is normally considered cosmetic.
- Properties Built Before 1978 – If the dwelling or related improvements were built before 1978, the presence of lead-based paint must be presumed. Any defective lead-based paint is a safety hazard that must be remediated. Economic feasibility is not an acceptable reason for waiver of a repair involving lead-based paint.
- 2+ Year Roof Life — Repair/replace defective roofing
- Functional Plumbing — Repair leaky faucets/plumbing
- No leaks, Repair all leaks (i.e. plumbing, HVAC, roof, foundation, etc.)
- Functional Electrical, no exposed wiring, all switches, and plugs need covers; circuit breaker must have a cover/faceplate — Repair/replace defective and exposed electrical wiring
- Furnace and air conditioning (if applicable) must function properly if not will require servicing
- Foundation / Structure — Repair all foundation/structural settlement
- Needs to have a functioning kitchen, if there is an opening for a dishwasher, there must be a dishwasher – All appliances should be fully operational
- All stairs (even outside) need handrails up to code (height and space between bars), if there is a drop of more than 18 inches top to bottom a handrail is required — Repair/replace all loose/missing handrails
- Garage door lift should correctly operate (i.e. raise & lower door, stop and reverse if meeting resistance.) — Repair/replace broken/inoperable overhead garage door and openers
- Repair/replace broken/uneven/loose stairs, walks, driveways, flooring, etc.
- Properly install required safety items such as GFCI outlets, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, water heater pressure relief valves/extension pipe/straps, etc.
- Repair/replace broken inoperable windows/doors, doorknobs, and their locks.
- Clear access to the attic scuttle hole and crawl space so the appraiser can easily inspect those areas as required.
- Identify well and septic locations ahead of time as the appraiser needs to report their locations.
- All bedrooms must have egress (think basement windows) to be appraised as bedrooms.
To find out more about whether you qualify, call one of our VA Home Loan Specialists at (208) 287-1705 or get started online by clicking on the apply buttons on the right.
