- VA appraisals typically take 7 to 21 business days, with timelines varying by state and sometimes by county.
- Delays can happen due to factors like appraiser shortages, property access issues or required repairs, so timelines are guidelines.
The VA appraisal is a required step on the path to VA loan approval. The appraisal helps lenders calculate a home’s reasonable market value and ensures the property meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs).
Compiling these detailed reports is a tall order for a VA appraiser. It requires careful analysis, supporting documentation and, most importantly, time.
But just how long should a prospective buyer expect to wait for a VA appraisal? Let’s take a closer look.
How Long Does a VA Appraisal Take?
Typically, a VA appraisal takes anywhere from 7 to 21 days. In most areas, you can expect the appraisal process to take approximately 10 days.
The VA does not mandate a strict timeline but offers a timeline expectation based on the home’s location and size. Appraisal timelines can also vary by state, as different regions follow different standards.
VA Appraisal Timeline Guidelines
The VA timeline requirements start from the first business day after the assignment date. Most states have a single timeline benchmark, but a few states have guidelines that vary by county.
Find out your state’s expected VA appraisal timeline below.
VA Appraisal Timelines by State
| States | General Appraisal Timeline (Business Days) | Counties With Extended Timelines |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 8 days | Cullman, Dale, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, Marion: 12 days |
| Alaska | 21 days | Anchorage, Juneau, Matanuska Susitna, Kodiak Island, Valdez Cordova: 12 days and Fairbanks North Star, Kenai Peninsula, Southeast Fairbanks: 20 days |
| Arizona | 7 days | Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Yuma: 10 days |
| Arkansas | 10 days | |
| California | 7 days | Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, Fresno, Kern, Mariposa, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Tehama: 10 days and Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas: 12 days and Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Siskiyou: 15 days |
| Colorado | 7 days | Alamosa, Baca, Bent: 12 days and Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, La Plata, Las Animas, Montezuma, Pitkin, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Miguel, Summit: 15 days |
| Connecticut | 10 days | |
| Delaware | 10 days | |
| District of Columbia | 10 days | |
| Florida | 7 days | Franklin, Indian River, Jefferson, Suwannee, Walton: 10 days |
| Georgia | 7 days | |
| Guam | 20 days | |
| Hawaii | 10 days | |
| Idaho | 8 days | Clearwater, Latah, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Teton, Blaine: 10 days and Adams, Bear Lake, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Lewis, Valley: 15 days |
| Illinois | 10 days | |
| Indiana | 8 days | |
| Iowa | 10 days | |
| Kansas | 10 days | |
| Kentucky | 10 days | |
| Louisiana | 10 days | |
| Maine | 10 days | Androscoggin, Aroostook, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, York: 15 days |
| Maryland | 10 days | |
| Massachusetts | 10 days | Dukes, Nantucket: 15 days |
| Michigan | 8 days | Clare, Gladwin: 12 days |
| Minnesota | 10 days | |
| Mississippi | 8 days | |
| Missouri | 10 days | |
| Montana | 21 days | |
| Nebraska | 10 days | |
| Nevada | 7 days | Carson City, Churchill, Elko, Eureka, Douglas, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, White Pine: 10 days |
| New Hampshire | 10 days | |
| New Jersey | 10 days | |
| New Mexico | 7 days | Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Luna: 10 days and Cibola, Colfax, Harding, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Raton, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sierra, Taos, Torrance, Union: 15 days |
| New York | 10 days | |
| North Carolina | 7 days | Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Mecklenburg, Moore, Onslow, Union, Wake, Wayne: 10 days |
| North Dakota | 15 days | |
| Ohio | 8 days | |
| Oklahoma | 10 days | |
| Oregon | 15 days | |
| Pennsylvania | 7 days | Carbon, Clearfield, Clinton, Susquehanna, Warren: 15 days |
| Rhode Island | 10 days | |
| South Carolina | 7 days | Anderson, Beaufort, Chesterfield, Colleton, Darlington, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Horry, Spartanburg, York: 10 days |
| South Dakota | 15 days | |
| Tennessee | 7 days | Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Montgomery, Scott, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Washington: 10 days |
| Texas | 10 days | |
| Utah | 7 days | |
| Vermont | 10 days | |
| Virginia | 10 days | |
| Washington | 14 days | |
| West Virginia | 12 days | |
| Wisconsin | 10 days | |
| Wyoming | 12 days |
VA appraisal timelines also apply to U.S. territories. In the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan, the general appraisal timeline is 15 business days, while in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, appraisals typically take about seven business days.
Delays Can (and Do) Happen
Timeline guidelines are certainly helpful for buyers, sellers and agents on a narrow closing time frame. But don’t mistake these “guidelines” for “deadlines.” Delays can happen, and those delays could push a deal past its ideal closing date. Any of the following situations could extend VA appraisal completion times:
- Local appraiser shortages
- Higher-than-usual VA appraisal demand
- Difficulty accessing the property due to weather or other conditions
- Lack of suitable comparable sales
- Difficulty contacting realtors or sellers involved in the transaction
- Values lower than the VA’s MPR, which would necessitate repairs
- Appraiser scheduling conflicts
If MPRs aren't met, the appraiser will note repairs that must be completed before loan approval. VA buyers and agents need to understand these well to avoid surprise delays.
Appraisers must explain any delays to the lender, and homebuyers should maintain regular communication with their lenders during this phase to stay on top of any holdups.
What Can I Do to Speed the Appraisal Process Along?
Anxiously awaiting the results of the VA appraisal, it’s common for buyers to wonder, “Is there something I can do to speed the process along?”
The answer to this question: Choose the right lender, and stay in constant contact with your loan officer. Staying responsive helps keep things on track and ensures any issues that pop up can be handled quickly.
Getting an appraisal report isn’t as simple as calling an appraiser. Let’s take a look at the entire process and possible delays.
Potential Delays in the VA Appraisal Process
| Step | Potential Delay | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The lender orders the appraisal. | The lender needs to finalize certain details before placing the appraisal order. | Stay on top of any document requests from your lender so they can submit the order as soon as possible. |
| 2. The appraisal request is assigned to an appraiser. | Your area has high demand or a shortage of VA-approved appraisers. | Your lender can track the order and provide updates. If your market is hot, ask early about typical wait times in your area. |
| 3. The appraiser requests access to the property. | The listing agent or seller may be slow to respond or the property may have limited availability for showings. | Ask your real estate agent to coordinate quickly with the listing side. |
| 4. The appraiser could request additional inspections. | The appraiser finds issues that could affect the property’s value or do not meet VA MPRs. | Respond quickly to repair requests and keep communication open with your agent and lender. |
| 5. The Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) reviews the VA appraisal report. | The SAR needs to request clarifications from the appraiser, especially if the report is missing details or the property doesn’t fully meet requirements. | Stay informed and talk to your lender about negotiating any repairs. |
The key point is this: There are several players involved in the VA appraisal process, and mistakes made by any of these players could result in delays. Buyers can’t “choose” their VA appraiser or their listing agent, but they can certainly choose the right VA lender.
Checking the Status of Your VA Appraisal
Thankfully, you won’t be kept in the dark during the appraisal process, as there are plenty of ways to check on the status of your VA appraisal. To inquire about the status of your appraisal, simply ask your loan officer or you can visit the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) through their WebLGY system using your Loan Identification Number (LIN).
Sometimes, lenders will track and provide updates on the appraisal process using their own systems, so you can also work with your lender or loan officer team to find out where you might currently be in the appraiser system.
It is crucial to carefully consider your choice of lender. When dealing with a potentially complex process like the VA appraisal, an experienced VA lender is one of the best advocates to have on your side.
Reach out to a Veterans United VA loan expert at 855-870-8845 or get started online today.
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Our mortgage experts continuously track industry trends, regulatory changes, and market conditions to keep our information accurate and relevant. We update our articles whenever new insights or updates become available to help you make informed homebuying and selling decisions.
Current Version
Nov 24, 2025
Written BySamantha Reeves
Reviewed ByDon Wilson
Added table with specific VA appraisal timelines by state. Article reviewed and fact checked by underwriter Don Wilson.
Veterans United often cites authoritative third-party sources to provide context, verify claims, and ensure accuracy in our content. Our commitment to delivering clear, factual, and unbiased information guides every piece we publish. Learn more about our editorial standards and how we work to serve Veterans and military families with trust and transparency.
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