VA Loan Pest Inspection Requirements
If you are in the process of getting approved for a VA loan, your purchase property may or may not be required to undergo an inspection for wood-destroying insects. This requirement can add a significant amount of time to the loan approval process, so it is helpful to be able to anticipate it ahead of time.
VA Loans That May Require a Pest Inspection
All VA loan home purchases or VA cash-out refinance loans are susceptible to pest inspection requirements, depending on what state or county the purchase property is located. VA streamline loans (IRRRLs) do not require a pest inspection in any state.
VA Loan Pest Inspection Map
Below is a map that shows which states require pest inspections, which states do not require a pest inspection, and what states may sometimes require a pest inspection based on the county.
VA Loan Pest Inspection Required in These States
If you live in one of the following states, your purchase property is required to undergo an inspection for wood-destroying insects prior to closing.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
VA Loan Pest Inspection Sometimes Required in These States
Other states only require a pest inspection if the appraiser notices signs of damage from or the presence of wood-destroying insects.
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wyoming
VA Loan Pest Inspection Mandatory in These Counties
The following states only require a pest inspection if the appraiser notes any sign of damage from or the presence of wood-destroying insects, except in the following counties where a pest inspection is mandatory for all VA loans:
- Michigan–Counties Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Hillsdale, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mason, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Clair, St. Joseph, VanBuren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
- New Hampshire–Counties Cheshire, Sullivan, Merrimack, Rockingham, Belknap, Hillsborough, and Strafford.
- New York–Counties Bronx, Broome, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.
- Vermont–Counties Bennington and Windham.
- Wisconsin–Counties Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha.
VA Loan Pest Inspection Guidelines and Restrictions
The pest inspection required by the VA is designed to ensure that each home purchased with a VA loan meets the requirements for a safe, sound, and sanitary property. The VA loan benefit is designed to help veterans get into homes, but it is also designed to make sure veterans are in homes that will be healthy and safe to live in.
All wood-destroying insects are included in this inspection. Termites are the most common wood-destroying insect. But carpenter ants, long-horned beetles, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees are also included in this category since they have the ability to cause severe damage to wood structures.
If evidence of wood-destroying insects is found, a specialist will need to come and treat the property for the wood-destroying insects. Any damage from the wood-destroying insects will need to be repaired prior to VA loan approval. A second pest inspection will need to be conducted when all treatment and repairs are completed to ensure the wood-destroying insects have been successfully eliminated from the property.
VA Loan Pest Inspection Costs
Borrowers are restricted in most states from paying for the pest inspection. This means the inspection must be covered by the seller or another third party. VA lenders will require an invoice from the pest inspection as documented evidence that the borrower has not paid for the inspection.
There are nine states where borrowers are allowed to pay for the pest inspection:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Have Questions?
If you still have questions about the pest inspection requirements, guidelines, or process, the best course of action is to contact a VA-approved loan specialist. Call 1 (888) 232-1428 to speak with a loan specialist today! VeteransLoans.com is a VA-approved lender licensed in 36 states. VeteransLoans.com currently offers VA, FHA, and conventional loan products.