Chief Appraiser

Chief Appraiser Says

Reading the actual guideline text below — never a general AI guess

# VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) — Plain Language Explanation We've established Minimum Property Requirements to make sure properties are safe, structurally sound, and sanitary before VA guarantees a veteran's loan. Here's the key distinction: when an appraiser values your property, they're not doing a home inspection—they won't test mechanical systems or appliances, though they will note any repairs that appear needed to meet our MPRs. The appraiser prepares the value estimate "subject to" you completing those repairs, and includes what those completed repairs would add to the property's value. We don't want cosmetic fixes or minor wear-and-tear reported as required repairs, though the appraiser will factor those into the overall condition rating when estimating value. VA's MPRs also cover location and legal issues, plus specific hazards like flooding, fuel pipelines, high-voltage power lines, and water/sewage systems. Straight from VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapters 11–12 — nothing added.

AI Search

General web information, outside Chief Appraiser’s vetted library — verify against the authoritative source before relying on it professionally

Searching the wider web…

Chief Appraiser Picks · Related Video The VA's Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) Explained

Was this helpful? 👍 Yes 👎 Not quite

Filter: All None

#1 VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) Page 7

0.102 ▼

VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Table of Contents v Table of Contents, Continued Chapter 11-Appraiser Requirements Overview…

VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) · VA-Lender-Handbook.pdf · Page 7 · View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →

VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Table of Contents v Table of Contents, Continued Chapter 11-Appraiser Requirements Overview ....................................................................................................................... 11-1 11.01 Using This Information ...................................................................................... 11-2 11.02 VA Reasonable Value ........................................................................................ 11-3 11.03 VA Appraisal Requirements .............................................................................. 11-4 11.04 Appraisal Report Contents ................................................................................. 11-6 11.05 Submission of Appraisal Reports....................................................................... 11-8 11.06 Approaches to Value .......................................................................................... 11-9 11.07 Selection and Analysis of Comparable Sales ..................................................... 11-10 11.08 Other Market Analysis Considerations .............................................................. 11-12 11.09 Minimum Property Requirements and Repairs .................................................. 11-15 11.10 Remaining Economic Life of Improvements ..................................................... 11-16 11.11 Proposed Construction ....................................................................................... 11-17 11.12 Other Property Types and Situations ................................................................. 11-19 11.13 Liquidation Appraisals ....................................................................................... 11-24 Figure 1: Liquidation Appraisal Addendum Example ................................................. 11-27 Chapter 12-Minimum Property Requirements Overview ....................................................................................................................... 13-1 12.01 MPR Variations and Exemptions....................................................................... 12-3 12.02 Proposed Construction MPRs ............................................................................ 12-4 12.03 Basic MPRs ........................................................................................................ 12-6 12.04 Shared Facilities and Utilities ............................................................................ 12-9 12.05 Access-Related Issues ........................................................................................ 12-10 12.06 Hazards and Defective Conditions ..................................................................... 12-11 12.07 Fuel Pipelines and High Voltage Electric Lines ................................................ 12-13 12.08 Individual Water Supply/Sewage Disposal Requirements ................................ 12-14 12.09 Community Water Supply/Sewage Disposal Requirements.............................. 12-16 12.10 Manufactured Homes Classified as Real Estate ................................................ 12-20 Continued on next page

#2 VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) Page 1

0.107 ▼

VA Minimum Property Requirements — "Change 46" — VERIFIED OFFICIAL TEXT VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12: Minimum Property Requirement Primary source: KnowVA…

VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) · VA_MPR_Change_46_Official_Update_2026.txt · Page 1 · View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →

VA Minimum Property Requirements — "Change 46" — VERIFIED OFFICIAL TEXT VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12: Minimum Property Requirement Primary source: KnowVA Knowledge Base (VA's official current distribution point for the Handbook), retrieved via browser August 14, 2026: https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000314692/VA-Pamphlet-VAP26-7-Chapter-12-Minimum-Property-Requirement-Overview-Effective-after-May-1-2026 Article last updated (per KnowVA): August 12, 2026 Change Date shown in-document for each amended topic: February 27, 2026 Effective for: all VA appraisals ordered on or after May 1, 2026 STATUS UPDATE ON SOURCE ACCESS: The prior interim summary in this folder (VA_MPR_Change_46_Summary_2026.txt) stated KnowVA "does not render for automated tools" and was "confirmed broken/unusable... in a normal browser" as of July 27, 2026. That is no longer accurate as of August 14, 2026 — the page loads and its content is readable via Claude in Chrome, it just needs a few seconds to finish rendering (a plain fast page-text grab comes back empty; waiting ~3 seconds and reading the rendered content works). This file supersedes that summary with actual verified quotes from the current official chapter text, not a secondhand VA News paraphrase. The chapter is long (43 topics); this document covers only the topics Change 46 actually touched, quoted directly from source. All other Chapter 12 topics (space requirements, access, drainage, flood hazard, utilities, water supply, zoning, etc.) are unchanged and are already covered by the existing Ch12_Minimum_Property_Requirement_NEW 2022 02 17.pdf in this folder. ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ TOPIC 1. MINIMUM PROPERTY REQUIREMENT PROCEDURES — Change Date: Feb 27, 2026 ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Per-topic change note (verbatim): "Subtopics g and i, Detached Improvements and SAH RLC Jurisdiction, have [been] removed." (Note: the detached-structures exemption itself now lives under Topic 33, not Topic 1 — see below. Topic 1's own remaining subsections a–h, covering "MPRs protect Veterans/lenders/servicers/VA," "appraisal is not a home inspection," "safe/sound/sanitary," "subject-to repairs," "recommend repairs not inspections," "cosmetic items," "home inspection recommended," and "local requirements," are unchanged.) ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ TOPIC 32. LEAD-BASED PAINT — subsections a/b unchanged in structure, content revised for post-1978 construction ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ a. Properties Built in 1978 or Later (verified quote): "Defective paint on a dwelling built in 1978 or later is normally considered cosmetic." — This replaces the prior rule requiring the appraiser to report all defective exterior paint on post-1978 homes and condition the appraisal on repair. Under Change 46, defective paint on a post-1978 dwelling is treated as a cosmetic item (see Topic 1.f, "Cosmetic Items" — not required to be repaired as a

#3 VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12) Page 3

0.141 ▼

Requirements 12-3 1. Minimum Property Requirement Procedures Change Date October 18, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. MPRs VA has established Minimum…

VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12) · Ch12_Minimum_Property_Requirement_NEW 2022 02 17.pdf · Page 3 · View at official source (VA.gov — Construction and Valuation) →

Requirements 12-3 1. Minimum Property Requirement Procedures Change Date October 18, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. MPRs VA has established Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) to protect the interests of Veterans, lenders, servicers, and VA. Properties must meet these requirements prior to guaranty of the loan by VA. b. Appraisal is Not a Home Inspection While VA-assigned fee appraisers must note any readily apparent repairs that are needed, it is important to distinguish the differences between a real estate appraisal and a home inspection report. The fee appraiser will not perform operational checks of mechanical systems or appliances. The fee appraiser estimates the value of the property to ensure that it is sufficient for the amount of the proposed loan. c. Safe, Sound, Sanitary MPRs help ensure that the property is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. The scope of MPRs also includes issues related to the property’s location and legal considerations. d. Appraisal Subject to Repairs to meet MPRs The appraiser will prepare origination appraisals “subject to” the completion of any MPR repairs that appear to be needed and include the contributory value of the completed repairs in the estimated market value. Liquidation appraisals are prepared “as-is” (see Chapter 11, Topic 20 of this Handbook). e. Recommend Repairs, Not Inspections Appraisers must not prepare appraisals subject to inspections. The appraiser must recommend repairs, not inspections, for any conditions that do not appear to meet MPRs. f. Cosmetic Items The appraiser should not recommend repairs of cosmetic items, items involving minor deferred maintenance or normal wear and tear, or items that are inconsequential in relation to the overall condition of the property. While minor repairs should not be recommended, the appraiser should consider these items in the overall condition rating when estimating the market value of the property. Continued on next page

#4 VA Appraisal Guidelines (Ch. 11) Page 24

0.094 ▼

-24 12. Other Property Types and Situations, Continued g. Farm Residences Although VA does not make farm or other business loans, the law allows veterans to use their Loan…

VA Appraisal Guidelines (Ch. 11) · ch11.pdf · Page 24 · View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →

-24 12. Other Property Types and Situations, Continued g. Farm Residences Although VA does not make farm or other business loans, the law allows veterans to use their Loan Guaranty benefit to purchase a farm on which there is a farm residence. VA does not set a limit on the number of acres which the property may have. The appraisal of properties with acreage should not present difficulties if a sufficient number of similar properties in the area, which may include improvements not typically considered residential (i.e. barns, sheds, corrals, stables, pastures), were recently sold primarily for residential use. For VA purposes, the valuation must not include livestock, crops, or farm equipment and supplies. In any case, individual improvements not typically considered residential (i.e. barns, sheds, corrals, stables, pastures) will be valued at their fair market value on the basis of the use of the property for residential purposes only. h. Properties Subject to Flooding Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are those areas in 100-year floodplains delineated on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps. SFHAs are usually designated Zones A, AO, AH, AE, A99, VO, VE, or V. Older maps use numbered A and V Zones (for example, A2, V30). The appraiser must: • Check FEMA flood map(s) for the area in which the property is located. • Notify VA and the lender if it appears that the property may not be eligible for VA appraisal because − it is proposed or new construction and there is an indication that the elevation of the lowest floor is below the base flood level (100-year flood level). See 24 CFR 200.926d(c)(4), or − there is an indication that it is subject to regular flooding, for whatever reason. Regular flooding would cause the property to not meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) whether or not it is located in a SFHA. • If the property is eligible for appraisal and located on a flood map − identify the map number and flood zone on the appraisal report, whether or not the property is located in a SFHA. − If any part of the dwelling is in a SFHA, provide appropriate information in the “Site” section of the appraisal report. − If a “master” appraisal, provide a list of the lots located in a SFHA. Continued on next page

#5 VA Appraisal Guidelines (Ch. 11) Page 13

0.165 ▼

-13 7. Selection and Analysis of Comparable Sales, Continued e. Location Comparable sales should be located as close to the subject as practical. Their proximity to the subject…

VA Appraisal Guidelines (Ch. 11) · ch11.pdf · Page 13 · View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →

-13 7. Selection and Analysis of Comparable Sales, Continued e. Location Comparable sales should be located as close to the subject as practical. Their proximity to the subject (such as three blocks north) must be described. Generally, blocks should be used in cities and miles in rural areas to locate properties. The appraiser must adequately explain any reliance on sales located either: • further from the subject than similar recent comparable sales readily available in the subject neighborhood, or • outside of the subject’s market area. Note: In some rural areas, comparable sales may be 5, 10, or 20 miles away from the subject property and still be within the subject’s immediate market area. f. Value Adjustments To be in a condition acceptable to VA, properties must meet VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) (see chapter 12). Since MPR repairs identified in the appraisal report must be completed as a condition of the report, value adjustments to the comparables are to be made as if the repairs to the subject have been accomplished. Generally, good comparables require minimal adjustment for individual feature differences and a minimal total net adjustment. The appraiser must adequately explain large adjustments. Adjustments based on some factor other than market reaction, such as builder costs for materials, project development, etc., are not generally acceptable.

#6 VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12) Page 4

0.058 ▼

Requirements 12-4 1. Minimum Property Requirement Procedures, continued g. Detached Improvements Detached sheds or other improvments on the site may be included in value if the…

VA Minimum Property Requirements (Ch. 12) · Ch12_Minimum_Property_Requirement_NEW 2022 02 17.pdf · Page 4 · View at official source (VA.gov — Construction and Valuation) →

Requirements 12-4 1. Minimum Property Requirement Procedures, continued g. Detached Improvements Detached sheds or other improvments on the site may be included in value if the improvement meets VA’s MPRs. If the improvement does not meet MPRs it must be excluded from value. If the improvement presents a health or safety hazard, the appraisal must be completed subject to the removal of the improvement. h. Home Inspection Recommended After an origination appraisal is completed, the Notice of Value (NOV) that is issued to the Veteran includes a recommendation that the Veteran may wish to obtain a home inspection (see Chapter 13, Appendix A of this Handbook). i. Local Requirements Information about MPRs concerning properties in specific locations are listed by state at http://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/appraiser_cv_local_req.asp. j. SAH Additional MPRs apply to Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program cases. The Regional Loan Center (RLC) of jurisdiction should be contacted for assistance with SAH questions.

#7 HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 Page 209

0.117 ▼

A. Title II Insured Housing Programs Forward Mortgages 3. Underwriting the Property Handbook 4000.1 184 Last Revised: 8/12/2026 3. Underwriting the Property The Mortgagee must…

HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · HUD_FHA_4000.1.pdf · Page 209 · View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) →

A. Title II Insured Housing Programs Forward Mortgages 3. Underwriting the Property Handbook 4000.1 184 Last Revised: 8/12/2026 3. Underwriting the Property The Mortgagee must underwrite the completed appraisal report to determine if the Property provides sufficient collateral for the FHA-insured Mortgage. The appraisal and Property must comply with the requirements in Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II Forward and Reverse Mortgages. The appraisal must be reported in accordance with Acceptable Reporting Forms and Protocols. a. Property Acceptability Criteria (11/10/2026) The Mortgagee must evaluate the appraisal and any supporting documentation to determine if the Property complies with HUD’s Property Acceptability Criteria. Existing and New Construction Properties must comply with Application of Minimum Property Requirements and Minimum Property Standards by Construction Status. i. Defective Conditions The Mortgagee must evaluate the appraisal in accordance with the requirements for Defective Conditions. When defective conditions exist and correction is not feasible, the Mortgagee must reject the Property. The Mortgagee may only approve a Property after the Mortgagee confirms that all defects reported by the Appraiser have been corrected. ii. Minimum Property Requirements and Minimum Property Standards As the on-site representative for the Mortgagee, the Appraiser provides preliminary verification that a Property meets the Property Acceptability Criteria, which includes HUD’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) and Minimum Property Standards (MPS). Minimum Property Requirements refer to general requirements that all homes insured by FHA be safe, sound, and secure. Minimum Property Standards refer to regulatory requirements relating to the safety, soundness, and security of New Construction. When the Appraiser’s observation of a Property reveals noncompliance with the Property Acceptability Criteria, the Appraiser must note all repairs necessary to make the Property comply with HUD’s Property Acceptability Criteria, together with the estimated cost to cure. If the Appraiser cannot determine that a Property meets HUD’s MPR or MPS, the Mortgagee may obtain an inspection from a qualified entity to make the determination. Mortgagees must use professional judgment in determining when inspections are necessary to determine that a property meets MPR or MPS. Mortgagees must also use professional judgment in determining when a Property condition poses a threat to the health and safety of the occupant and/or jeopardizes the soundness and structural integrity of the Property, such that additional inspections and/or repairs are necessary.

#8 HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 Page 826

0.092 ▼

D. Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II Forward and Reverse Mortgages 1. Commencement of the Appraisal Handbook 4000.1 801 Last Revised: 8/12/2026 D. APPRAISER AND…

HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · HUD_FHA_4000.1.pdf · Page 826 · View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) →

D. Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II Forward and Reverse Mortgages 1. Commencement of the Appraisal Handbook 4000.1 801 Last Revised: 8/12/2026 D. APPRAISER AND PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS FOR TITLE II FORWARD AND REVERSE MORTGAGES The appraisal process provides the Mortgagee with necessary information to determine if a property meets the minimum requirements and eligibility standards for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured Mortgage and will serve as adequate security for a specific FHA- insured Mortgage. Mortgagees bear primary responsibility for determining eligibility and the sufficiency of collateral; however, the Appraiser provides preliminary verification that the Property Acceptability Criteria have been met and an appraised value for the property. Property refers to the real estate entity that will serve as adequate security for a specific FHA- insured Mortgage. The requirements in this section of the FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook (Handbook 4000.1) contain the Property Acceptability Criteria for FHA mortgage insurance, which include Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) and Minimum Property Standards (MPS), and include by reference, associated rules and regulations. The criteria apply to residential Properties containing one- to four-family housing units, individual Condominium Units, and Manufactured Housing units, and related property improvements and the sites on which they are located, as well as the immediate environment for the dwelling, including streets and other services or facilities associated with the site. Manufactured Housing Properties have additional requirements contained in the Property Acceptability Criteria for Manufactured Housing for Title II Insured Mortgages section. This section also provides requirements for Appraisers in establishing a credible appraised value for a Property that is to serve as security for an FHA-insured Mortgage. 1. Commencement of the Appraisal a. Information Required before Commencement of Appraisal (04/10/2025) The Appraiser must obtain all of the following from the Mortgagee before beginning an appraisal: • a complete copy of the executed sales contract for the subject, if a purchase transaction; • the land lease, if applicable (see Leasehold Interest); • surveys or legal descriptions, if available; • any other property-related legal documents contained in the loan file; and • a point of contact and contact information for the Mortgagee so that the Appraiser can communicate any noncompliance issues. The effective date of the appraisal cannot be before the FHA case number assignment date unless the Mortgagee certifies that the appraisal was ordered for conventional lending or government-guaranteed loan purposes and was performed pursuant to FHA guidelines. When using

Chief Appraiser

Welcome to Chief Appraiser

Still Being Built — And That's Where You Come In

Why not just use AI?

Help Us Improve Chief Appraiser