If you’re a Veteran or active-duty military member purchasing a home using a VA loan, you’ve probably come across something called a WDO inspection. But what exactly is it, and does the VA still require one in Michigan?
Veterans WDI Inspections
Let’s break it down, especially for Michigan homebuyers.
A WDO or WDI (Wood-Destroying Organism/Wood-Destroying Insect) inspection checks for any signs of pests that can damage the structural integrity of a home—namely termites and carpenter ants among others.
It’s not just about bugs—it’s about protecting one of the largest investments you’ll make.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backs loans that help Veterans purchase homes with little or no down payment and favorable terms. However, because the VA is guaranteeing the loan, they want to ensure the home is safe, structurally sound, and free of major issues—including wood-destroying pests.
That used to mean a WDO report was a required step across much of Michigan. It no longer is. Michigan does not require a WDO inspection as a condition of a VA loan. What has not changed is that plenty of lenders still ask for one as their own condition — and if yours does, the NPMA-33 is the form they want. Your lender is always the final word on what your file needs.
During a WDO inspection, your certified inspector will:
All of the inspector's findings will be documented on the standardized NPMA-33 form the VA recognizes, along with any necessary supporting documentation.
In the past, the VA prohibited buyers from paying for the WDO inspection, requiring the seller or lender to cover the cost. However, as of 2022, the rules have changed.
Now, in most cases—including Michigan—the Veteran homebuyer is allowed to pay for the WDO inspection. Always confirm with your lender or Realtor for up-to-date guidance.
💡 At Trademark Inspection Services, we discount the WDO inspection when it is bundled with a full home inspection for VA buyers. It’s our way of saying thank you for your service and making the homebuying process a little easier.
If the inspector detects active wood-destroying organisms or damage, it doesn't necessarily end your homebuying process. Instead, the following steps typically occur:
These steps ensure that the home meets safety and structural standards before moving forward, and while they might require additional time, they are a routine part of the process.
Michigan once sat on the VA’s list of states where a WDO report was required in certain counties, on the basis of historically higher termite risk. That requirement no longer applies here.
What has not gone away is the reason the requirement existed. Termites and wood-decay are real in this part of Michigan, and where an appraiser or inspector notes evidence, a lender can still ask for a WDO report before it will close.
The bottom line: not required does not mean not worth doing. Termite damage can sit behind finished walls and stone veneer for years without a sign at the surface, and a WDO inspection is a small step that answers the question either way.
At Trademark Inspection Services, we proudly serve VA buyers across Michigan with thorough, lender-compliant WDO inspections.
✅ 24 Hour Report Guarantee
✅ Veteran-friendly service
✅ Easy online or phone scheduling
We understand how important timing is during the VA loan process—and we’re here to help keep everything on track.
💸 Your WDO inspection is discounted when you bundle it with a full home inspection. Plus, you get our $25 Hero Discount.
🛠 Not purchasing a full inspection? No problem—WDO inspections can also be scheduled as a stand-alone service for a fee.
📞 Ready to schedule your WDO inspection? Contact us today at 734.331.3269.
Requirements have changed over time and vary by lender, so the reliable answer is to confirm with your lender for your specific loan. Many Michigan buyers have one done regardless, because carpenter ants are common here and the damage is structural.
This has changed with VA policy and is worth confirming with your lender and agent as part of the offer, rather than assuming either way.
No, it is a separate inspection with its own report. It is commonly added alongside a home buyer inspection, particularly on older properties or where there is any history of moisture.
Accessible structural wood, crawlspaces, basements and the exterior perimeter, for live activity, past damage and the conditions that attract wood-destroying pests in the first place.
Scheduling is easy, and we are here to help.
