VA updated its appraisal process regarding Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs)—the standards a property must meet to be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan—to reduce delays, cut outdated rules and help Veteran homebuyers move faster in a competitive housing market.
The updates are now in effect, reflected in the revised VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12.
What’s changing
VA identified several long-standing MPR topics that frequently contributed to appraisal delays or added costs for Veterans. The updates include:
- Removing the full Radon Gas requirement (Topic 34)
- Revising standards for properties built before 1978 (Topic 32)
- Revising standards for properties built in 1978 or later (Topic 32)
- Streamlining guidance on detached improvements and Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Regional Loan Center jurisdiction (Topic 1)
- Updating guidance for non-vented heaters (Topic 23)
VA is also adjusting appraisal fees in select regions to stay competitive and maintain a qualified pool of experienced appraisers.
Why it matters for Veterans
As of May 31, the average VA appraisal takes approximately seven business days. VA’s goal is to keep that timeline moving in the right direction, to ensure the appraisal process supports Veterans instead of slowing them down. These updates make VA home loans more competitive, more accessible and more responsive to the realities of today’s housing market.
The VA home loan benefit is one of the most powerful tools available to Veterans and service members, offering access to safe, sound and sanitary housing without many of the barriers that come with other home loans. These MPR updates support that mission by removing outdated requirements, increasing clarity and helping Veterans compete more effectively.
Part of a broader modernization effort
These changes are part of VA’s ongoing initiative to align appraisal requirements with current housing standards and federal directives. VA is also enhancing its digital tools to improve tracking of appraisal orders from notification through acceptance, strengthening analytics and communication throughout the process.
Learn more
Veterans and service members interested in using their VA home loan benefit can visit VA’s home loans online for more information. Additional details on the VA Home Loan Program and VA appraiser qualification requirements are also available online.
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I am in the middle of purchasing a house using my VA benefit. When I saw changes, I was worried! It was helpful to have a concise informative article relaying the changes and improvements. The article relieved my worry. It’s great to see VA going even further to assist Veterans.
For those who would say “Oh No, they’re taking away my Radon protection”.
Radon testing requires the homeowner to turn off any air circulation systems (HVAC) so that if there is even a trace amount of Radon in the home, the test will be a false positive.
In real life nearly all homes have some type of ventilation to the outside which removes these trace amounts of gases, and these test are unnecessary for those of average intelligence who ventilate their homes regularly.
Secondly, how about the VA requiring kitchen ranges and bathrooms to be vented to the outside. This solves indoor air polution and protects the Veteran from unscrupulous builders who install “Charcoal” ventless noise makers that serve no useful purpose.
Tell that to those who have and will die from lung cancer caused by elevated levels of radon.
Why remove the Radon testing requirement…did it really contribute to delay? This could be a serious health issue but lets not bother to require testing anymore and “hope” nothing bad happens or that someone remembers to get this test completed. Also for homes built after 1978, the requirement to repair flaking or peeling paint has been eliminated, as lead-based paint was outlawed that year…so again lets have vets buy houses with flaking or peeling paint anyway…who thought this was a good idea?
Considering how corrupt inspectors are my VA home loan house has been inspected by state and VA people however that works I’m not sure and despite there being no flashing in the master bedroom window, a screw who went through the water line, and nails popping out of the floor because they didn’t use the right ones I know shocker.
No matter what they do they will never ever ever hold any of those inspectors accountable because for some reason they have immunity which only incentivizes not giving a damn.
Maybe if the handbook actually punishes people for not doing their job then it will actually matter.
This was well overdue. I applaud the staff at the V. A. who spent the time to make this happen.
Another idea that may assist veterans in time of housing struggles is the reduction of credit requirements in utilization of VA certificate of eligibility to purchase homes. Many veterans have income but poor credit keeping them from purchasing their own home. Keeping our veterans homeless or in need of housing.
MPR Updates, wow! 1944 to now, that’s 82 years… literally;
• “a broad modernization effort.”
• “good enough for government work.”
What’s next? Windows updates on VA computers? Appraisers now use updated digital tablets to update from xerox papers on a clipboard?
Thank you for this informative and easy to read set of updates. I give me these changes will have the positive effect in mind when proposed.
I’m a Mortgage Banker, Realtor, Property Manager, and performing Property Rehabs
This was a very good move to remove old stigmas that VA Loans are overly complicated. The opposite is in fact is the real truth.
If I had the power to speak with someone in the position of making changes. These would be my next words. The townhouse condo hoa rules should be 100% next. We need to modernize and trim down the bloat that keeps Veterans out of otherwise perfectly good communities or housing. Love to talk to anyone that can start a mission critical conversation that can lead to change in this arena..
Oh, and they don’t even bother turning on the HVAC to see if it works. That saves them time too. Good luck brothers and sisters!
What would really be a big help to veterans? Is not charge them $500 to have their house appraised for a VA. Cash out refinance. The veteran already has debt. That’s why they’re doing the cash lout. Why do you charge them $500 to appraise their property? That is just wrong.
As a vet who’s used the VA home loan, these MPR updates are solid progress, when was the last time VA updated the handbook prior to Feb. 2026?
Removing the full radon requirement, revising pre- and post-1978 home standards, streamlining detached improvements/SAH guidance, and updating non-vented heater rules should reduce delays and costs.
In today’s sellers market, shortening appraisal timelines (currently just 7 business days) helps vetscompete and close faster. This is practical modernization that makes the benefit stronger and more accessible.
Good step forward, better than good enough (for USG work)
Do y’all have like podcasts or explainer videos or infographics or somethin to help slow learners like this here Vetter to better get’her understandin these here MPRs?
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox
and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the
same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Appreciate it!
So less restrictions on government subsidized money? 7 days was really too long to insure safety like lead and radon hazards? Who pays the medical bills when these vets get poisoned? Oh yeah. Well as long as they’re not rushing the appraisal process, you know, the whole safeguard to not overvalue properties and avoid another housing crisis…..
Great Information..Thanks VA
Was this change accounced in a circular?