Appraisal Requirements

Information from VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 11: Appraisal Requirements

 Existing Construction

Fee appraisers are experienced observers who must view both the interior and exterior of the subject property to:

1.  determine its overall condition, and
 2.  recommend any readily observable repairs necessary to make it meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) stated in chapter 12.

On the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), the fee appraiser must select the appropriate box in the “Reconciliation” section following, “This appraisal is made”

“As is”, if the property meets MPRs with no repairs required, or

1. “Subject to the following repairs…”, if repairs are required for the property to meet MPRs. The appraiser must also provide an itemized list of observed repairs, customer preference items to be installed on new construction cases, or other action necessary to ensure the property meets MPRs.


When there is an indication of a potential environment problem (e.g., abandoned underground fuel storage tank), the appraisal report must contain a requirement for correction of the problem in accordance with any local, state or federal requirements.

Appraisers must not recommend electrical, plumbing, heating, roofing or other inspections only as a measure of liability protection. Improvements or site conditions that do not appear to meet MPR’s should, in most instances, be required to be corrected, repaired or replaced, rather than inspected. An inspection should be recommended only if there is an indication of a complex problem requiring a professional opinion, such as, pests, site drainage, structural defects, safety concerns, code violations, etc.

Note: Fee appraisers are required to view, but not enter, any accessible crawl space and/or attic areas of the home and report any significant defective conditions observed.

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