If you’re saying, “My house is being appraised, what can I anticipate?” this guide walks you through the timeline, what appraisers look for, how comparable sales affect value, and what to do if the number comes in lower than expected. Use the checklists and FAQs to reduce stress and help your appraisal support your goals.
What A Home Appraisal Is – And Why It Matters
A home appraisal is an independent opinion of market value prepared for a lender, or sometimes a cash buyer or owner. The report anchors loan size, loan-to-value ratio, and often the final terms of a purchase or refinance. If you’re asking, “My house is being appraised, what can I anticipate?” expect a structured process, not guesswork.
The Appraisal Timeline From Start To Finish
Before the visit
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Order and scheduling: Your lender or buyer’s agent orders the appraisal. You’ll get a visit date and a short prep window.
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Data pull: The appraiser gathers tax records, permits, plat maps, and recent comparable sales.
Day of the visit
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Walk-through: 20 to 60 minutes for typical homes. Interior photos, room counts, measurements of gross living area (GLA), notes on condition and quality.
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Exterior check: Roof, siding, foundation, grading, driveways, outbuildings, landscaping, and visible safety items.
After the visit
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Sales comparison grid: Comps are adjusted for differences like square footage, bed/bath count, condition, garage, lot size, view, pool, and time of sale.
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Report delivery: The appraisal report goes to the lender and then to you. Turn times vary by market.
What Appraisers Evaluate
Interior features
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Verified bedrooms and bathrooms, functional layout, natural light.
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Condition of kitchen, baths, floors, windows, and interior systems.
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Updates with typical market appeal and quality.
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Finished vs unfinished areas, permitted ADU or basement finish.
Exterior and site
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Foundation and structure, roof age indicators, and siding condition.
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Lot size, topography, views, noise, utility easements, fencing.
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Location influences, such as proximity to schools, parks, and transit.
Systems and safety items
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HVAC operation, electrical panel type, plumbing basics, and water heater.
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Handrails on stairs, smoke and CO detectors where required, and egress windows in sleeping rooms.
Market data and comps
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3 to 6 recent comparable sales from your area.
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Adjustments for measurable differences to reconcile a supported value.
Types Of Appraisals You Might See
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Full appraisal: Interior and exterior inspection with full grid of comps.
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Desktop or hybrid appraisal: No on-site walk-through, or a third party gathers photos and measurements.
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FHA or VA appraisal: Adds property standards and safety checks that can trigger repair requirements.
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Appraisal waiver: Sometimes allowed on strong files. No report, but not available to everyone.
How To Prepare Your Home – Appraisal Readiness Checklist
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Access: Make every room reachable, including attic, crawlspace, garage, and outbuildings.
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Minor fixes: Replace bulbs, tighten loose handrails, fix drips, patch noticeable wall dings, and replace cracked outlet covers.
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Safety: Test smoke and CO detectors, add missing ones, and ensure water heater strapping if standard in your area.
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Curb appeal: Mow, edge, sweep, trim shrubs, touch up flaking paint on trim or railings.
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Clean and declutter: Clear counters and floors to highlight space and light.
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Proof of value: Leave a one-page packet with your upgrades list, dates, permits, contractor invoices, and a short comps list if you have agent-pulled sales.
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Feature sheet: Note solar details, energy upgrades, new roof or HVAC dates, warranty transfers, and HOA amenities.
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Pets and alarms: Crate pets, disarm security that could block access.
What Not To Do
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Do not follow the appraiser from room to room, giving sales pitches.
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Do not hide rooms or block doors.
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Do not exaggerate the unpermitted space as a living area.
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Do not assume the appraiser saw your hidden improvements. Provide documentation.
Inside The Report – How Value Is Reconciled
The grid and adjustments
Each comparable sale is adjusted up or down for feature differences. Examples:
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Extra half bath, larger GLA, newer condition, garage spaces, lot premium, view.
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Time adjustment if the market moved between your company’s sale date and today.
Final opinion of value
The appraiser reconciles the adjusted comp values into a single, supported number, accompanied by a brief narrative explaining the weighting.
If The Appraised Value Is Lower Than Expected
Your options
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Price negotiation: Ask the buyer to adjust the contract price or split the difference.
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Provide better comps: Submit recent, more similar sales for a reconsideration of value.
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Point out factual errors: Wrong GLA, missed bed or bath, overlooked updates.
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Change loan strategy: Increase down payment, remove a seller credit to improve LTV, or switch programs if allowed.
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Wait and relist: If timing and market momentum support it.
For VA loans, a Tidewater notice may let you provide comps before the value is finalized.
Appraisals For Refinances vs Purchases
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Refinance: Target value affects cash-out amount and mortgage insurance removal. Clean documentation on upgrades helps.
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Purchase: Value anchors contract feasibility and your financing terms. Strong comp packets from your agent are valid.
Common Myths vs Reality
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Myth: “If I list every dollar I spent on upgrades, value goes up by the same amount.” Reality: Market value reflects what buyers pay for features, not your cost.
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Myth: “Appraisers always use only price per square foot.” Reality: They use a full grid with qualitative and quantitative adjustments.
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Myth: “A clean home raises value.” Reality: Cleanliness does not add square footage, but it does help improve condition ratings and perception.
Costs, Payment, And Turn Time
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Typical fee: Varies by market and complexity. Multi-unit or rural properties often cost more.
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Who pays: Usually, the buyer or borrower via the lender.
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Timing: Scheduling and analysis can take several days, depending on the volume of work.
Quick Glossary
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GLA (Gross Living Area): Above-grade, heated, finished space.
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LTV (Loan-to-Value): Loan amount divided by appraised value.
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URAR 1004: Common appraisal form for single-family homes.
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External or functional obsolescence: Value impact from outside factors or layout quirks.
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Effective age: The age the home appears to be based on its condition and updates.
FAQs: My House Is Being Appraised. What Can I Anticipate?
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How long will the appraiser be at my house? Most walk-throughs take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on size and complexity.
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Do I need to be home? Not required, but it can be helpful if you or your agent provides access and a concise list of upgrades.
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What documents should I leave out? Permits, roof and HVAC receipts, solar contracts, recent HOA statements, and a short features sheet.
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Will the appraiser go in my attic or crawlspace? They may visually check access areas. Keep entries unlocked and safe.
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Can I provide the appraiser with my own comparable sales? Yes. Provide recent, nearby, similar sales with brief notes on similarity.
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What if I added a bedroom without a permit? Unpermitted space may not be counted as a living area. Disclose it and provide any plans or after-the-fact permits.
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Do paint and landscaping really matter? Clean, maintained homes photograph better and can support a stronger condition rating.
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What is the difference between an appraisal and an inspection? An inspection reports defects and maintenance needs. An appraisal estimates the market value for a lender.
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Can I challenge a low value? Yes. Submit a reconsideration of value with better comps and corrections to factual errors.
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Do FHA or VA appraisals have extra requirements? They include safety and livability checks. Some repairs may be required before closing.
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Will the appraiser use active listings? Closed sales carry the most weight. Actives and pendings can inform trends.
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Does price per square foot control the result? No. It’s one reference. The grid and adjustments drive the conclusion.
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What if the market is rising fast? Time adjustments can reflect recent appreciation when supported by data.
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When will I see the report? Your lender delivers it after review. Ask for a copy once it is completed.
