The VA Appraisal Process, Fees & Timelines

A VA appraisal is necessary when purchasing a home with a VA loan. A VA appraisal establishes a property’s market value and confirms it meets minimum property requirements (MPR) set by the VA.

More importantly, VA appraisal requirements protect veterans’ well-being, ensuring they purchase a safe, habitable home. All homes financed by a VA loan must undergo a VA appraisal for approval.

In this article, we’ll cover how the VA appraisal process works and provide a complete list of VA appraisal fees broken down by state and county so you can be fully prepared.

The VA Appraisal Process 

The lender initiates the process by ordering the VA appraisal; however, borrowers are responsible for paying VA appraisal fees, which are typically paid up front. The lender orders the VA appraisal after the buyer has an accepted offer from a seller.

Once the appraisal has been ordered, a VA-approved appraiser will assess the property, create a report on its value and condition, and submit it to the VA’s portal. The speed at which you receive the appraisal report will differ by the county you’re purchasing in. 

You can see your county’s appraisal timeline in the table below.

A VA staff appraisal or a lender’s Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) makes the final decision on the property’s appraisal value. This decision is documented in a Notice of Value (NOV). With the approved appraisal, the lender can proceed with loan approval and move toward closing.

If Your Appraisal Isn’t Approved 

If your appraisal isn’t approved, it’s either because the appraised value is lower than the selling price or because the property doesn’t meet minimum property requirements. 

Value is Lower than the Purchase Price 

If the appraised value is lower than the purchase price, the appraisal will not be approved. You can either negotiate the price with the seller, pay the difference between the purchase price and the appraised value out of pocket, or cancel the purchase. 

To help address this issue, the VA Tidewater Initiative was created. It gives the buyer’s agent and the seller an opportunity to provide additional information to support a higher value before the appraisal report is finalized. You can read about the VA Tidewater Initiative in detail here. 

Property Does Not Meet MPRs

If the property doesn’t meet minimum property requirements, the appraiser will include the reasons for failure on their appraisal report. There are three routes you can take in this situation: 

1. Repairs and Reinspection: The seller can make the necessary repairs to bring the property up to VA standards. If you take this route, you will need to order a reinspection to confirm that the house meets VA standards after the repairs. A reinspection is when the VA appraiser returns to the property to verify that the required repairs have been completed and that the home now complies with the VA’s MPRs. If the repairs don’t bring the house up to the VA’s MPRs, you’ll need to repeat this process again until they do.

2. Reinspection without Repairs: Although it’s rare, reinspections can be requested even if no repairs were made. This may happen if there’s a disagreement with the original appraiser’s findings or if additional documentation becomes available that addresses the issues noted during the initial appraisal.

3. Cancel the Contract: If repairs are not feasible or the seller refuses, the buyer can cancel the contract using the VA escape clause. Walking away because of appraisal issues typically means you can get your earnest money back. 

VA Escape Clause

The VA escape clause, or the “VA Option Clause,” protects homebuyers using VA loans by allowing them to back out of the purchase contract without penalty if the home’s appraised value is lower than the sale price or if the home doesn’t meet the VA’s MPRs. This clause ensures veterans do not lose any earnest money they might have paid upfront. 

If your purchase is canceled due to a failed appraisal, you will, unfortunately, need to pay for a new appraisal after you have decided on another home. Agents with experience with VA loans can help guide you through this process. 

VA Appraisals Aren’t the Same as Home Inspections

This is a common misunderstanding, and it’s important to understand their differences. A VA appraisal is mandatory for VA loans. It focuses on determining the home’s market value and ensuring it meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs), including safety, sanitation, and structural soundness. It’s designed to protect the lender and ensure the property is habitable for the veteran.

A home inspection, on the other hand, is optional but highly recommended. It involves a more detailed examination of the home’s condition to identify potential issues such as faulty wiring, plumbing problems, or roof damage. While an appraisal assesses broad safety and structural concerns, an inspection delves into the home’s overall condition. It can help buyers negotiate repairs or back out of a deal if significant issues are found.

In short, while a VA appraisal protects the lender, a home inspection protects you, the buyer, from unexpected problems that could cost you down the line. It’s wise to budget for both during the homebuying process.

Can the VA Appraisal Fee Be Waived?

VA borrowers cannot waive appraisal costs. Appraisal fees must be paid upfront, but lenders or sellers can reimburse the borrower at closing. This fee can typically be negotiated as a seller concession at closing or rolled into the loan amount.

How Much Does the VA Appraisal Cost?

As of May 1, 2026, VA single-family appraisal fees range from $650 to $1,500 and are paid by the borrower, while multi-family fees can reach up to $1,800 in remote areas. Your specific fee is listed in the chart below. Appraisal fees vary by county and depend on market demand and the availability of appraisers in the area. Areas with very high VA buyer demand typically have higher fees and longer waiting times. 

Certain situations can also increase the total appraisal cost, including cancellation, reinspection, and the type of house you’re buying.

High Demand Counties

The recent surge in demand for appraisal services, combined with a shortage of appraisers, has led to sizable increases in appraisal fees in some designated High-Demand Counties. 

Mileage 

Appraisers are allowed to charge mileage fees to cover travel expenses to reach the property. Mileage is only allowed when an appraiser is providing service to a property outside their assigned coverage area, and the fee must be approved by the VA before the appraisal starts. This typically applies to properties in remote locations such as Hawaii, Alaska, or island territories.

Homes Under Construction

If a property is proposed or under construction with a VA Construction Loan, the appraiser may charge an additional $50 above the standard appraisal fee for that property type, regardless of the loan program

Reinspection

When reinspection is necessary, appraisers may charge a flat fee of $150. This fee only applies when the appraiser physically visits the property. A reinspection is common when an initial appraiser identifies necessary repairs the house will need to meet MPRs.

Cancellation

If an appraisal appointment is canceled, fees might be charged depending on the appointment’s stage.

• If the VA assigned the appraiser to assess a property but had not set the appointment date at the time of cancellation, the appraiser may charge no more than $50.
• If the appointment is canceled after the appointment date was set, the appraiser may charge no more than $175.
• If the appraiser completed the property assessment but did not complete the appraisal report, they may charge no more than 50% of the assigned appraisal fee.
• If the appraiser fully completes the appraisal report and uploads it to the VA website portal, they may charge the total assigned appraisal fee.

Complete List of VA Appraisal Fees & Timelines

Below is a table that includes a complete list of VA appraisal fees broken down by state, the appraised property type, and the estimated appraisal timeline in business days. Some states have certain counties with differing appraisal fees, so we specified the applicable counties. 

Keep in mind that the appraisal timeline is in business days and that the first business day doesn’t start until the first business day after the assignment date. So, if the appraisal is conducted on a Friday, the appraisal timeline won’t start until the following Monday. 

Understanding the VA appraisal process is crucial for veterans and servicemembers to ensure they make a sound investment. While the fee cannot be avoided, you can do your due diligence to avoid paying for multiple appraisals or reconsideration charges by learning about the VA minimum property requirements and what appraisers are looking for.