The VA made two significant changes this summer that matter to different groups of Florida veterans: a June 25, 2026 update that streamlines appraisal property requirements for buyers, and a June 15, 2026 launch of the Partial Claim Program, a new foreclosure-avoidance option for veterans already in a VA loan. One eases the path to buying; the other protects veterans who already own. Here's what each means for you.
Update one: VA simplified appraisal property requirements
Per the VA's official announcement, effective June 25, 2026, the VA revised several Minimum Property Requirement (MPR) topics in its Lenders Handbook, Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 12:
- Radon gas testing: the VA removed its full radon gas testing requirement (Topic 34) from the appraisal process.
- Older-home standards: the VA revised property standards distinguishing homes built before and after 1978 (Topic 32), simplifying what appraisers must document for older Florida housing stock.
- Detached improvements and SAH housing: guidance on detached structures and jurisdiction for Specially Adapted Housing (Topic 1) was streamlined.
- Heating systems: non-vented heater guidance (Topic 23) was updated to reflect current standards.
The VA also noted that as of May 31, 2026, the average VA appraisal nationwide was taking roughly 7 business days — context for how the appraisal process has been trending even before this MPR update took effect.
Buying in Florida with a VA loan this summer?
Let's walk through how these simplified appraisal standards could affect your specific property and timeline — especially on older Florida homes. No credit pull required for the initial conversation.
Schedule a Call With JoeWhat the appraisal changes mean for Florida buyers specifically
Florida has a large share of homes built before 1978, particularly in older coastal and inland communities, so the revised Topic 32 standards are directly relevant here. Assuming you're under contract on a Florida home built in the 1960s or 1970s: the appraiser will follow the VA's updated framework for evaluating that vintage of construction rather than the prior standard, which may mean less documentation friction on certain older-home characteristics than before. This is a property-standards and process update, not a change to VA's entitlement, occupancy, or funding fee rules. For the appraisal fee schedule itself, which varies by Florida county, see our VA appraisal fee breakdown by county.
Update two: the new VA Partial Claim Program
Separately, per the VA's June 15, 2026 announcement, the VA launched the Partial Claim Program, authorized under the VA Home Loan Reform Act signed into law July 30, 2025. The program works like this: a veteran facing financial hardship on their VA loan enters a trial payment plan for three months; if successful, the loan servicer brings the loan current and the VA reimburses the servicer for the past-due amount; the veteran then repays the VA later — at loan payoff, refinance, or sale of the home — rather than immediately. Loan servicers are required to have the program fully implemented by November 28, 2026.
For scale, the VA notes it helped over 173,000 veterans avoid foreclosure in fiscal year 2025 through its broader loss-mitigation options, and it guaranteed more than 29 million home loans total, including over 500,000 new loans in FY2025. Florida Realtors' July 6 coverage frames both changes together as the VA addressing both ends of the homeownership journey — getting in, and staying in — in the same summer.
Who the Partial Claim Program actually helps
| Situation | How the Partial Claim Program applies |
|---|---|
| Veteran homeowner facing temporary financial hardship | May be eligible for a 3-month trial payment plan leading into a partial claim that brings the loan current. |
| Veteran who successfully completes the trial plan | Servicer brings the loan current; the VA reimburses the servicer for the past-due amount. |
| Repayment of the VA's reimbursement | Due later — at payoff, refinance, or sale — rather than as an immediate lump sum. |
| Homebuyer with no current hardship | Not directly relevant; this program addresses existing VA loans in distress, not new purchases. |
What Florida veterans should do next
If you're currently shopping for a home with VA financing, ask your loan officer how the revised MPR topics apply to any older property you're considering, particularly around age-related construction standards. If you already have a VA loan and are facing a hardship, contact your loan servicer directly to ask about Partial Claim Program eligibility — since servicers have until November 28, 2026 to fully implement it, availability may vary by servicer in the interim. Either way, these are two distinct programs serving two different moments in a veteran's homeownership journey, and neither is contingent on the other. For veterans still weighing financing options on a purchase, our VA closing costs guide covers who typically pays what at the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the VA change about appraisals in June 2026?
Effective June 25, 2026, the VA removed the full radon gas testing requirement, revised pre-1978/post-1978 property standards, streamlined detached improvement and Specially Adapted Housing jurisdiction guidance, and updated non-vented heater standards in its appraisal Minimum Property Requirements.
What is the VA Partial Claim Program?
Launched June 15, 2026 and authorized by the VA Home Loan Reform Act, it's a foreclosure-avoidance option where a veteran completes a 3-month trial payment plan, the servicer brings the loan current, the VA reimburses the servicer, and the veteran repays the VA later at payoff, refinance, or sale.
When must my servicer offer the Partial Claim Program?
Servicers are required to have the program fully implemented by November 28, 2026, so availability may vary by servicer before that date.
Do the appraisal changes affect my VA entitlement or funding fee?
No — these are property-standard and appraisal-process updates only. VA entitlement, occupancy rules, and funding fee requirements are unaffected.
Does the Partial Claim Program help veterans who are buying a home right now?
Not directly — it's designed for veterans who already have a VA loan and are experiencing financial hardship, not for new purchases.
Buying with VA financing in Florida, or facing a hardship on an existing VA loan? Take the quick eligibility check on our homepage or call Joe Pistone & Team — we'll walk through exactly what applies to your situation, and for today's pricing, just ask Joe.
Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "VA Updates Home Loan Appraisal Requirements" (June 25, 2026); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "VA Launches Partial Claim Program to Help Veterans Avoid Home Foreclosure" (June 15, 2026); Florida Realtors, "VA Updates Could Help Veterans Buy — and Stay Put" (July 6, 2026).