Breaking news for VA homebuyers, sellers, home appraisers, and real estate agents.
The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022
President Biden has signed a new bill, Improving Access to VA Home Loan Benefit Act, into law that is designed to evaluate and issue new guidance on VA appraisal processes in 2023.
The VA Home Loan Benefit Act
The new VA Home Loan Benefit Act places a timeline and requires the VA to update its rules on appraisals for VA homebuyers.
Approved by the House earlier this year.
Passed by the Senate by unanimous consent.
Singed into law by POTUS December 2022.
Timeline Required by Law for Action by VA
90-days to make recommendations to Congress.
180-days to issue new appraisal guidance.
VA officials stated that the VA appraisals average almost 15-days.
Loan appraisals average only a couple of days for a non-VA loans.
The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 would direct VA to update their regulations on appraisals. They would be required to consider when an appraisal is not necessary and when a desktop appraisal should be used. Desktop appraisals are faster and less expensive than in-person appraisals because they allow appraisers to view and assess property virtually rather than in-person, which cuts down on closing costs for homebuyers and lets them purchase their home more quickly.
From the Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022
In today’s competitive housing market, veterans should have access to the fastest and best appraisal resources to get them into their new home as quickly as possible.
The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 would ease the homebuying process by letting veterans use the same modern purchaser tools that non-veteran buyers already use.
The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 would modernize VA’s home loan program so that more veterans can achieve the American dream of homeownership.
The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7735
What are the minimum service requirements for VA loan benefits?
If you serviced between August 2, 1990, and the present (Gulf War period to present)
You meet the minimum active-duty service requirement if you served for:
At least 24 continuous months, or
The full period (at least 90 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty, or
At least 90 days if you were discharged for a hardship, or a reduction in force, or
Less than 90 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability.