FHA Appraisal Requirements
FHA Appraisal Requirements can make or break an FHA approval — here are the 2026 rules and the numbers that matter.
The rule for 2026
An FHA appraisal is valid for 180 days and doubles as a safety check — appraisers flag peeling paint, missing handrails, exposed wiring, and roof or system defects that must be fixed before closing.
FHA sets this baseline, but approved lenders can add stricter "overlays." Meet the FHA standard first, then confirm whether your lender layers anything on top.
Documentation you'll need
- 30 days of pay stubs and two years of W-2s or tax returns
- Two months of bank statements
- Photo ID and Social Security number
- Letters of explanation for any credit events or large deposits
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Frequently Asked Questions
- FHA Appraisal Requirements — what's the bottom line for 2026?
- An FHA appraisal is valid for 180 days and doubles as a safety check — appraisers flag peeling paint, missing handrails, exposed wiring, and roof or system defects that must be fixed before closing.
- Do all lenders apply this the same way?
- No. FHA sets the floor, but individual lenders may require higher credit scores or stricter terms.