05/06/2026
*****NEW VA APPRAISAL GUIDELINES*****
Effective after May 1, 2026, the VA Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 12 of our Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) has been updated as part of an ongoing effort to streamline the homebuying experience for Veterans using the VA home loan benefit.
Some items previously subject to MPRs no longer fall under that standard. Notably, non-habitable outbuildings β such as barns, sheds, and detached garages β are no longer required to meet safe, sound, and sanitary standards, even for pre-1978 paint concerns. These structures can now be valued as-is.
Additional changes include removing requirements related to non-vented fireplaces, radon certification in new construction, and post-1978 paint conditions, which are now considered cosmetic.
These updates, which will take effect on May 1, 2026, represent important wins for Veterans, and further improvements to MPR guidance are already underway.