VA Minimum Property Requirements — "Change 46" Update Summary
VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12
Source: VA News, "VA updates home loan appraisal requirements to help
Veterans compete in today's housing market"
https://news.va.gov/147642/va-updates-home-loan-appraisal-requirements/
Effective: May 1, 2026
IMPORTANT NOTE ON THIS DOCUMENT: this is a SUMMARY of the change, sourced
from VA's own public news release, NOT the full official redlined chapter
text. VA's primary distribution point for the complete, current Chapter 12
text is the KnowVA portal (knowva.ebenefits.va.gov), which is a JavaScript-
only system that does not render for automated tools AND was independently
confirmed broken/unusable by Kelly T Wade clicking it in a normal browser.
No alternative static/downloadable PDF of the full revised chapter could
be located as of July 27, 2026. This summary should be used to tell users
WHAT changed and WHY, with a link back to the VA News source, until a
usable full-text source is found. Do not represent this as the complete
chapter text.
WHAT CHANGED (VA's own summary):
VA updated its appraisal process regarding Minimum Property Requirements
(MPRs) to reduce delays, cut outdated rules, and help Veteran homebuyers
move faster in a competitive housing market. Specific changes:
- Removed the full Radon Gas requirement (Topic 34).
- Revised standards for properties built before 1978 (Topic 32).
- Revised standards for properties built in 1978 or later (Topic 32).
- Streamlined guidance on detached improvements and Specially Adapted
Housing (SAH) Regional Loan Center jurisdiction (Topic 1).
- Updated 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 (see separate VA
fee schedule documents for specifics, if available).
WHY IT MATTERS: as of May 31, 2026, the average VA appraisal took
approximately seven business days; these changes are part of VA's ongoing
effort to keep that timeline moving and align appraisal requirements with
current housing standards and federal directives.
NEXT STEP FOR CHIEF APPRAISER: replace this summary with the full official
redlined Chapter 12 text as soon as a working source is found — check back
periodically, or ask a VA-side contact (e.g., a lender or SAR who has
KnowVA access) whether they can export/share the current chapter text.