The A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.: Explained

Overview: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. changes the rules for appraisal fees tied to Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed home purchase loans.

For home buyers using a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan, the appraisal is a standard step on the path to closing. This bill focuses on the appraisal fee you pay for that step, with a goal of lowering or capping out-of-pocket costs and improving the appraisal process so closings move more smoothly.

The bill was introduced on March 26, 2026, in the 119th Congress and was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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What Is the A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.?

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. is a proposal to change how appraisal fees work for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed housing loans.

An appraisal is a professional opinion of a home’s value. Your lender orders it during your mortgage approval, and the appraisal is used to confirm the home’s value supports the contract price and your loan amount. The appraisal fee is the charge for that service, and it shows up as part of your closing costs.

This bill targets two practical pain points for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed purchase loans:

• High out-of-pocket appraisal costs that add to the cash you need at closing
• Appraisal process slowdowns that stretch the time between your accepted offer and your closing date

The overall effect is simple: when appraisal fees are more predictable and the process runs more smoothly, buying a home with a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan feels more straightforward.

Who Benefits From the A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.?

The bill is written for home buyers using Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed home purchase loans. That group includes eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and some surviving spouses who qualify for a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan under existing rules.

Sellers can benefit, too. When appraisal steps move on schedule and fees are easier to anticipate, real estate contracts are easier to manage, and closings stay on track more often.

This bill does not change who qualifies for a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan. It changes the appraisal fee rules and supports improvements to how the appraisal process operates.

How the A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Works

The bill’s focus is the appraisal fee and the appraisal timeline for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed home purchase loans. Here’s what that means in plain language.

1. The bill changes appraisal fee rules for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed purchase loans

Today, the appraisal fee is a line item in your closing costs, paid as part of the mortgage process. When fees rise, your cash needed to close rises with them.

Under this bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs updates the rules that govern appraisal fees for these loans. The purpose is to reduce or cap what you pay out of pocket for the appraisal.

Here’s what that looks like for a buyer’s budget:

A lower appraisal fee does not change your down payment on a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan. It reduces one of the upfront costs that sit alongside items like title charges, prepaid taxes, and homeowners insurance.

2. The bill improves the appraisal process to support on-time closings

An appraisal is often ordered soon after you sign a purchase contract, and the closing date depends on that appraisal being completed and reviewed on time.

This bill aims to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs appraisal process so it runs more smoothly. When the appraisal step stays on schedule, you move through final loan approval with fewer pauses, and your closing timeline feels more predictable.

3. A before-and-after example: how a capped fee helps a buyer

Assume you are buying a home with a Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loan and you are paying your own closing costs.

• Before: appraisal fees vary more widely, so you plan for a larger buffer in your closing cost budget
• After: appraisal fees follow updated rules designed to reduce or cap out-of-pocket costs, so your closing cost budget is easier to set

Even when the difference is a few hundred dollars, that money often represents your moving costs, your initial repairs, or your emergency savings. Lower required cash at closing helps you keep more of your money available after you get the keys.

Who Sponsors the A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to address appraisal fees for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.?

S. 4218 was introduced in the Senate and is now with the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. For the latest legislative updates and cosponsors, see the Bill Tracker above.