source:
  type: guide
  id: va-m26-7-ch10-t27
  authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 10, Topic 27 — Natural
    Disaster during the Appraisal Process
  description: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 10, Topic 27 — Natural
    Disaster during the Appraisal Process.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: va-m26-7-ch10-t27-full
  canonical_id: va-m26-7-ch10-t27-full
  section: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 10, Topic 27 — Natural
    Disaster during the Appraisal Process
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - va
  - va-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 10, Topic 27 — Natural
      Disaster during the Appraisal Process
    source_class: va-handbook
    source_url: https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp
    snapshot_id: 454f0e7af6f49c3b
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:53:53Z'
    content_hash: sha256:0551eb031df071b1ef69a627ad29b5a2c41dc00e3e2b9ccd421133b2561fa57d
    paragraph_quote: '27. Natural Disaster during the Appraisal Process Change Date
      March 11, 2019 • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Declarations
      Listed Online Lenders are required to check the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/disasters
      for the specific lists of counties and disaster declaration dates. Disaster
      information is also provided on the VA Home Loan website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/,
      as applicable. b. Appraisal Not Completed Before the Disaster If the appraisal
      had been ordered, but the appraiser had not yet visited the property before
      the date of the disaster, the appraiser will complete the appraisal as usual,
      subject to any MPR repairs. No additional documentation is needed. c. Appraisal
      Completed - Loan Not Closed Before Disaster If the property was appraised on
      or before the date of the declared disaster and not closed prior to that date,
      the following items must be submitted with the VA guaranty request: 1. Lender’s
      signed and dated certification that “This is to affirm that the property which
      is security for VA loan number _________________ has been inspected to ensure
      that it was either not damaged in the recently declared disaster or has been
      restored to its pre-disaster condition or better.” 2. Veteran’s signed and dated
      certification that “I have inspected the property located at ___________________
      and find its condition now to be acceptable to me. I understand that I will
      not be charged for any disaster-related expenses and now wish to close the loan.”
      d. Decrease in Value After Disaster If there is an indication that the property
      value may have declined due to the disaster, despite the completion of repairs,
      the lender must have the VA-assigned appraiser perform a new appraisal. The
      payment of the appraiser’s fee for this service will be a contractual matter
      between the buyer and seller. VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 10: Appraisal
      Process 10-41'
  judgment: false
