If you have a home appraisal coming up, you may be wondering what happens during the appointment. Will the appraiser go through every room? Does your home need to be spotless? How long will the visit take?
Whether you’re selling your home, refinancing your mortgage, or need a property valuation for an estate or another purpose, knowing what to expect can make the process less stressful.
A home appraisal provides an independent, professional opinion of a property’s value. During the appointment, the appraiser gathers information about your home’s size, condition, features, and improvements. That visit is an important part of the process, but much of the work involved in determining the property’s value happens afterward.
Getting Your Home Ready for the Appraiser
You don’t need to spend days getting your home ready for an appraisal. A few simple steps can help the visit go smoothly.
Make sure the appraiser can access the areas they need to see, including the basement, garage, and any additional structures. If certain areas are locked or difficult to reach, make arrangements ahead of time.
If you’ve made improvements to the home, it’s helpful to have a list ready. A new roof, replacement windows, kitchen renovations, or a new HVAC system are all worth mentioning. Records of major renovations, permits, and other relevant documentation can also be useful.
And what about cleaning? Your home doesn’t need to be spotless. The appraiser is evaluating its overall condition, not everyday housekeeping. Minor cosmetic issues don’t necessarily have a significant impact on value, although the property’s general condition and any needed repairs are part of the evaluation.
For more suggestions, see our guide on how to prepare for your home appraisal.
The Appraiser Looks at Your Home Inside and Out
When the appraiser arrives, they’ll typically walk through the home and examine the exterior to document the property’s size, layout, condition, and features.
Inside, they’ll look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the condition of the living spaces, and features such as finished basements or updated kitchens. They may take measurements and photographs as part of their documentation.
Outside, they’ll look at the home’s exterior condition, garage, lot, and any additional structures or improvements.
An appraisal isn’t the same as a home inspection. The appraiser isn’t there to conduct a comprehensive inspection of every system or identify every potential repair. Instead, they’re collecting the information needed to develop an opinion of the property’s value. Depending on the type of appraisal, certain visible safety or condition issues may also need to be documented.
Most Appraisal Visits Take About 30 to 60 Minutes
For a typical home, the appointment often takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes, although that can vary. A smaller, straightforward property may take less time, while a larger home or one with unique features, multiple buildings, or extensive improvements may take longer.
You generally don’t need to do much during the appointment beyond providing access and being available if the appraiser has questions. If you won’t be home, you’ll want to arrange access in advance.
It’s also worth knowing that the appraiser generally won’t give you a final value during the visit. There is still research and analysis to complete before an opinion of value can be established.
The Appraiser’s Work Continues After the Visit
Once the appraiser leaves, there’s still important work to do.
The appraiser reviews property records, researches local real estate activity, and analyzes recent sales of similar homes, often called comparable sales or “comps.”
They compare those properties with yours, considering differences in size, location, condition, features, and other factors that can influence value.
This market analysis is an important part of how appraisers determine your home’s value. The visit provides information about your particular property, while the research helps establish how it compares with other properties in the local market.
The Findings Come Together in the Appraisal Report
After completing the research and analysis, the appraiser prepares a report documenting the final opinion of value and the information supporting it.
How long that takes depends on the property and the type of appraisal. If a mortgage lender ordered the appraisal, the report typically goes through the lender. If you hired the appraiser directly, they can explain when you should expect to receive it.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to make your home perfect for the appointment. Providing access to the property and sharing information about improvements helps the appraiser gather an accurate picture of your home. From there, the appraiser combines those observations with market research to develop an independent, well-supported opinion of value.