A Veteran borrower recently wrote to us with the following: I am in the process of purchasing a home with my VA loan eligibility. I asked my real estate agent if I could get a copy of my VA appraisal. She stated that I could not get the VA appraisal until the closing on the loan. I want to know if this is true. Can I get a copy before I close on the home?

The real estate agent in this case is not correct. A veteran who pays for an appraisal is entitled to obtain a copy of the appraisal and of course, before the closing. A VA Automatic Company electronically places the order in the VA LAAP system. The VA Appraiser is selected by the VA and completes the appraisal. It is then electronically available to the lender and ready for distrubion to the borrower at that time. There is never a good reason to have to wait until closing.