When looking to buy, build, or refinance a home using a VA loan, a VA appraisal must be performed. Although, the exception is that an appraisal is not required on a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (VA IRRRL). The purposes of this VA valuation report are to determine the value, condition, and safety of the home. Thus, lenders, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and even Veterans depend heavily on this key information. But, a common question Veterans ask involves the amount of the VA appraisal fees. In order to keep costs affordable, VA sets a cap which VA appraisers may charge and it varies regionally.
Additionally, no lender may up-charge the appraiser’s fee. Whatever the actual charge is, the lender must only pass that along to borrowers. Even borrowers who pay the lender up-front must receive a refund if the actual cost comes in lower.
Maximum VA Appraisal Fees Vary by Property Type
There are four main types of appraisal forms involved in VA loans.
- Single Family (1004 Appraisal)
- Condominium (1073/1075 Appraisal)
- Manufactured Homes (1004C Appraisal)
- 2 – 4 Unit Multi Family (1025 Appraisal)
Because of specific requirements involved with condos, manufactured homes, and multi family properties, the VA appraisal fees may be higher when compared to traditional single family homes. Depending on the area and appraiser, the increase could be $0 – $200 higher. Multi family units are the most expensive.
VA Appraisal Cancelled Orders
Sometimes, various situations require buyers or lenders to cancel an appraisal order. For the fortunate few, it is prior to any performed work. Thus, there is no fee and anything paid up-front is refunded by the lender. Although, once a portion of the work has been performed, the VA appraiser may charge for their work.
In order to cancel a VA appraisal, lenders must notify the assigned appraiser and the applicable VA Regional Loan Center. The following is an example of maximum fees for cancelled orders:
- Work completed prior to appointment – $50
- Appointment made, notes in VA system – $175
- Review of the home interior – 50% of posted fee
- Over 50% of work completed, report must be completed – full fee
Additional VA Appraisal Fees Allowed
Occasionally, there are circumstances which put additional work on an appraiser. VA realizes this and will allow cases of extra fees to cover these areas. Although, any extra fees must be approved by the applicable VA Regional Loan Center prior to inspection. Examples of possible extra VA appraisal fees include…
- Complex properties
- Excessive mileage to property
- Unusual circumstances (weather, unpassable roads, islands)
- Extra transportation requirements (boat, air, specialty vehicles)
- Additional work required for final inspection of new construction **
** On new construction, a final inspection fee is allowed up to typically $150. But, if additional work is needed during the final inspection, an extra $50 could be approved. So, let’s get into the state maximum VA appraisal fees.
VA Appraisal Fees in NC
The Department of Veteran Affairs splits the U.S. into specific regions. North Carolina is serviced by the Atlanta Regional Loan Center. In addition to NC, the Atlanta Regional Loan Center services SC, Tennessee, and Georgia. Recently VA announced the maximum VA appraisal fees for all states. The following are the costs for North Carolina counties.
| Area | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| Higher cost | $575 | $575 | $575 | $655 |
| Lower Cost | $525 | $550 | $550 | $625 |
Higher cost NC counties includes: Avery Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.
All other NC counties are included in the “lower cost” price range.
VA Appraisal Fees in SC, TN, GA
SC, TN, and GA are also serviced by the Atlanta Regional Office and the stated turn time requirements for VA appraisers are as follows.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| South Carolina | $425 | $475 | $525 | $600 |
| Georgia | $450 | $475 | $475 | $600 |
| Tennessee | $500 | $525 | $525 | $625 |
| TN Higher Cost | $575 | $575 | $575 | $650 |
VA Appraisal Fees in Virginia, DC, KY, MD, & WV
The Roanoke Regional Loan Center serves Virginia, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia. So, lenders and Veterans with questions may reach out for assistance here. Effective April 1, 2019, the following are the maximum VA appraisal fees set by Veteran Affairs.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| Virginia | $525 | $525 | $525 | $700 |
| DC | $525 | $525 | $525 | $700 |
| Maryland | $525 | $525 | $525 | $700 |
| Kentucky | $475 | $475 | $475 | $625 |
| West Virginia | $575 | $575 | $575 | $800 |
VA Appraisal Fees in CA, AZ, HI, NV, & NM
The Phoenix Regional Loan Center services VA lenders and Veterans in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico. The VA has set the following maximum appraisal fees for these states.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| Arizona | $600 | $600 | $600 | $750 |
| AZ Counties | $600 | $600 | $600 | $850 |
| California | $600 | $600 | $600 | $850 |
| Hawaii – Guam | $700 | $700 | $700 | $1200 |
| Hawaii – Saipan | $600 | $600 | $600 | $1200 |
| Hawaii | $675 | $675 | $675 | $1200 |
| Nevada | $600 | $600 | $600 | $850 |
| New Mexico | $600 | $600 | $600 | $850 |
VA Appraisal Fees in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Oklahoma
The Houston VA Regional Loan Center services Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma VA lenders and Veterans. For VA purchase or refinance appraisals, the VA has set maximum appraisal fees as follows.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| AR | $500 | $500 | $550 | $550 |
| Rural AR | $575 | $575 | $625 | $625 |
| Louisiana | $500 | $525 | $550 | $550 |
| Rural LA | $600 | $625 | $650 | $650 |
| Oklahoma | $500 | $550 | $550 | $550 |
| Rural OK | $550 | $575 | $600 | $600 |
| Texas | $500 | $525 | $550 | $550 |
| Rural TX | $700 | $700 | $750 | $750 |
VA Appraisal Fees in CT, DE, IN, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
The Cleveland Regional Loan Center services VA lenders and Veterans. For VA purchases and refinancing, VA has set the maximum appraisal fees at the following for these states.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| Connecticut | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Delaware | $550 | $550 | $550 | $700 |
| Indiana | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Maine | $675 | $675 | $675 | $800 |
| Massachusetts | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Michigan | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Michigan Upper | $600 | $600 | $600 | $700 |
| New Hampshire | $550 | $550 | $550 | $700 |
| New Jersey | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| New York | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Ohio | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Pittsburgh ** | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Philadelphia | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Rhode Island | $525 | $525 | $525 | $675 |
| Vermont | $650 | $650 | $650 | $800 |
** Due to the lack of county reporting & electronic records, an additional $50 above the above is allowed by VA.
Michigan Upper includes: Mackinac, Chippewa, Luce, Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta, Marquette, Menominee, Dickinson, Iron, Baraga, Houghton, Googebic, Ontonagon, Keweenaw.
VA Appraisal Fees for AK, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, & WY
The Denver VA Regional Loan Center serves a lot of rural areas which increases the maximum appraisal fees. Furthermore, the appraisal turn times are as much as 28 business days!
| State | Single Family | Mfg Home | Duplex | Triplex | 4 Plex | Condo |
| Alaska | $800 | $850 | $1000 | $1100 | $1200 | $850 |
| Colorado | $750 | $800 | $900 | $950 | $1000 | $775 |
| Idaho | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 | $800 | $650 |
| Montana ** | $900 | $950 | $1050 | $1075 | $1100 | $900 |
| Rest of MT | $800 | $850 | $950 | $975 | $1000 | $850 |
| Oregon | $800 | $850 | $900 | $1000 | $1100 | $850 |
| Utah | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 | $800 | $650 |
| Washington | $800 | $900 | $925 | $1100 | $1200 | $850 |
| Wyoming | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 | $800 | $650 |
** Includes Dawson, Richland, and Pondera
VA Appraisal Fees for Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, & Wisconsin
The St. Paul Regional Loan Center serves VA lenders and Veterans in the above states. The following chart provides the maximum appraisal fees allowed.
| State | Single Family | Condo | Manufactured Home | Multi Family |
| Illinois | $450 | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Iowa | $450 | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Kansas Metros & Counties | $450 | $450 | $450 | $600 |
| Kansas | $500 | $500 | $500 | $650 |
| Minnesota Counties | $550 | $550 | $550 | $725 |
| Minnesota | $450 | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Missouri | $450 | $450 | $450 | $575 |
| Nebraska Metros & Counties | $475 | $475 | $475 | $650 |
| Nebraska | $525 | $525 | $525 | $700 |
| North Dakota Metros/Counties | $625 | $625 | $625 | $800 |
| North Dakota | $675 | $675 | $675 | $850 |
| SD Metro & Counties | $500 | $500 | $500 | $650 |
| South Dakota | $575 | $575 | $575 | $750 |
| Wisconsin | $450 | $450 | $450 | $600 |
Kansas Metros & Counties include Kansas City, Manhattan, Topeka, Wichita metro areas and these counties, Butler, Douglas, Harvey, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte.
Minnesota Counties include Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin
Nebraska Metros & Counties include Lincoln and Omaha metro areas and these counties: Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, and Washington
North Dakota Metros & Counties: Fargo and Grand Forks and these counties: Cass and Grand Forks
South Dakota Metros & Counties: Sioux Falls metro and these counties: Lincoln and Minnehaha.
VA Appraisal Fees Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
| State | Single Family | Condo | Multi Family |
| Florida | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Alabama | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Mississippi | $450 | $450 | $625 |
| Puerto Rico | $375 | $375 | $625 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $675 | $675 | $850 |
VA Loan Solutions
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