How can I get a home appraisal for free?

You generally cannot get a home appraisal for free, because an appraiser must be paid for the inspection and report. The main exception is in lending: when a lender orders an appraisal for your mortgage, federal rules require the lender to give you a free copy no later than three days before closing, and you cannot be charged for that copy. Cash purchases do not require an appraisal at all.

You cannot get a formal home appraisal at no cost in Rhode Island; anyone who issues an opinion of real property value must be a licensed or certified appraiser, and these professionals charge for their work. A licensed real estate broker or salesperson may give you an opinion of value for listing, purchase, or sale purposes at no charge, but that broker must not call the opinion an appraisal.