What Is Appraisal?
An appraisal is an independent, professional assessment of a home's market value. It's required by lenders to ensure the property is worth at least as much as the loan amount. A licensed appraiser inspects the home and compares it to recent sales of similar properties.
Key Facts
- Appraisals are ordered by the lender but paid by the buyer (typically $500-$800).
- If the appraisal comes in low, you may need to renegotiate, make up the difference in cash, or walk away.
- The appraiser looks at the home's condition, size, location, and comparable sales.
- An appraisal is different from a home inspection — it's about value, not condition.
- VA and FHA loans have stricter appraisal requirements.
Real-World Example
You agree to buy a home for $675,000. The appraisal comes back at $650,000. Your lender will only lend based on $650,000, leaving a $25,000 gap. You can negotiate the price down, pay $25,000 extra out of pocket, or cancel the deal.
Why It Matters
A low appraisal can derail a deal, especially in a hot market. Understanding the appraisal process and including an appraisal contingency in your offer protects you from overpaying or getting stuck.
En Español
Una tasación es una evaluación profesional e independiente del valor de mercado de una casa. Es requerida por los prestamistas para asegurar que la propiedad vale al menos tanto como el monto del préstamo. Un tasador licenciado inspecciona la casa y la compara con ventas recientes de propiedades similares.