How long does a VA loan appraisal actually take during peak PCS season, and how does that affect your closing timeline near Fort Riley?

August sits inside VA loan closing "PCS season" (May–September), when appraiser backlogs are heaviest — a VA appraisal that normally takes 10–20 days can stretch a full closing out to 45–55 days if a buyer or seller doesn't order it on day one, versus 14–30 days for a clean, fast-tracked file. 

2026 Fort Riley BAH is up 6.6% from 2025 (KS100 housing area covers both Geary and Riley counties), and August 2026 VA loan rates are running roughly 5.9%–6.3%, both of which are relevant, current context for a buyer or seller weighing timing right now.