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1. General Property Requirements
- Property is a single, marketable real estate entity
- Multiple parcels, if any, are contiguous and legally marketable
- Living areas provide adequate space for living, sleeping, cooking, dining, and sanitary use
- Property has safe pedestrian or vehicular access from a public or private all-weather street
- Private road easement and maintenance agreement issues are understood when applicable
2. Health and Safety Standards
- No obvious defective construction, poor workmanship, settlement, decay, leakage, or excessive dampness
- Mechanical systems appear safe and protected from destructive elements
- Each living unit appears to have electricity, heating, water supply, and sanitary facilities
- If power is off, remember the appraiser may not test function and may only note visible damage or apparent issues
- Heating should support 50 degrees in areas with plumbing
3. Structural / Condition Items
- Attic access and ventilation are available and observable
- Crawl space and basement appear free of major moisture or structural problems
- Roof prevents moisture intrusion and appears to have future utility
- Evidence of wood-destroying insects, fungus, or dry rot is not ignored
- Detached non-residential improvements are not being confused with main-dwelling MPR issues under the updated guidance
4. Paint / Access / Delay Triggers
- Pre-1978 defective paint on the main dwelling is addressed or clearly understood
- Burglar bars allow emergency egress when applicable
- Attic access is available without the appraiser needing tools
- Crawl space access is available without the appraiser needing tools
- Blocked access is resolved early so a reinspection fee is avoided
5. Environmental and Location Concerns
- Positive drainage away from the perimeter walls
- No obvious topographic or soil instability creating danger
- Flood zone, CBRS, lava flow, or other mapped hazard issues are understood when relevant
- No nearby hazard that materially affects health, safety, or use and enjoyment of the property
- Storage tanks, transmission lines, pipelines, or similar concerns are noted when present
6. Additional Considerations
- Zoning and legal non-conforming use issues are understood
- Encroachments are identified if the subject or neighboring improvements cross lines
- Water supply appears safe and potable
- Septic or other sanitary issues are not treated casually if they affect safety, sanitation, or livability
- Well, septic, or local authority requirements are checked when the property setup requires them
- Swimming pools should be free of obvious safety or structural concerns and meet local requirements where applicable
What did not change
The main dwelling still has to be safe, sanitary, structurally sound, and marketable. The 2026 update reduced some friction points, but the Chapter 12-style core checklist still matters.
Use this checklist for
- Quick walkthroughs with buyers or Realtors before writing the offer
- Spotting obvious MPR friction points before the appraisal
- Fast reminder that appraisal order date and property access still matter
Important note
- This is a practical summary, not the full handbook.
- The live page is the source of truth.
- Verify exact effective-date application and lender overlays before using this in a live contract decision.
Strongest authority source: VA Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 12. Live page: https://bigmikemortgage.com/va-mpr-checklist
Educational use only.
This handout is designed to support the live web page, not replace it.