What is the purpose of getting a home appraisal?
A home appraisal gives a written opinion of how much a property is worth. When a mortgage is involved, the lender orders the appraisal to confirm the property's value as loan collateral, and it uses the result to help determine the interest rate, required down payment, and whether the loan is approved. Appraisals also support estate planning, tax assessment review, dispute resolution, and eminent domain work.
A home appraisal estimates the property's market value, typically so a lender can decide how much to lend against it. For mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the appraiser also confirms that the home meets HUD's minimum property requirements for safety, soundness, and security, such as functioning heating, electrical, and plumbing systems and a roof with at least two years of remaining life.
Sources: Arizona Administrative Code, Title 4, Chapter 46 — Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, Real Estate Appraisal (Supp. 24-4); Arizona DIFI — Application Requirements: Registered Trainee Real Property Appraiser.
A home appraisal is a licensed appraiser's opinion of a home's market value, and lenders use it to decide how much to lend against the property. For FHA-insured loans, the appraisal also verifies HUD Minimum Property Standards covering safety, soundness, and security, and any required repairs must be completed before the loan can close. An appraisal is not a home inspection.
Sources: Colorado DRE: Appraiser Qualifying Education, Experience and Examination Requirements; Colorado DRE: Appraiser Steps for Initial Licensure, Levels of Licensure and Certification.
A home appraisal estimates the property's market value. Lenders rely on it when deciding how much to lend, and federal law requires a state-licensed or certified appraiser for loans made by federally insured banks and financial institutions.
Sources: Connecticut DCP: Real Estate Appraisers licensing (home page); Connecticut DCP: Real Estate Appraiser or Reciprocal (requirements and fees).
A home appraisal is a professional estimate of the value of real property. DC law defines a real estate appraiser as any person who renders professional services in the act or process of estimating the value of real property and real estate. Lenders rely on appraisals in federally related transactions, which federal rules define as real estate-related financial transactions that a federal financial institutions regulatory agency engages in, contracts for, or regulates and that require an appraiser.
Sources: D.C. Code § 47-2853.152: Eligibility requirements for real estate appraisers; D.C. Code § 47-2853.151: Scope of practice for real estate appraisers (with Part L index).
A home appraisal estimates the property's market value so that lenders, buyers, and courts can rely on an independent opinion. Federal law requires a licensed or certified appraiser for federally related transactions, such as loans made by federally insured banks. Homeowners also order appraisals for estate and probate valuations, divorce settlements, tax appeals, bankruptcy, and retroactive valuations.
Sources: Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board (DOPL): home page with fee table; IDAPA 24.18.01: Rules of the Real Estate Appraiser Board.
A home appraisal gives a licensed appraiser's estimate of a property's value. Lenders rely on it in federally related transactions, including FHA-insured mortgages, where the appraisal also checks the home against FHA's safety and structural requirements. Outside of lending, the buyer typically pays for the appraisal at closing, a seller may order a pre-listing appraisal, and a homeowner pays for one on a refinance.
Sources: IDFPR — How Do I Become an Appraiser Trainee in Illinois; IDFPR — Required QE Courses, Illinois.
A home appraisal estimates the property's value so the lender can confirm the home supports the financing requested. An FHA appraisal, for example, is a professional assessment of a home to make sure it is eligible for an FHA loan, and it also checks HUD's minimum property standards. The appraisal serves the lender's benefit; a home inspection, which is for the buyer, is a separate step.
Sources: Indiana PLA: real estate appraiser licensing information (applications, fee schedule, renewal); Indiana Real Estate Appraiser Licensure and Certification Board (PLA): home page.
People get a home appraisal when they need an estimate of the home's value for a specific purpose. Common purposes include supporting a sale price, meeting a lender's requirement, settling an estate, removing private mortgage insurance, estimating after-repair value, and supporting a property tax appeal.
Sources: Kansas State Certified and Licensed Real Property Appraisers Act (K.S.A. 58-4101 et seq.); Kansas appraiser regulations (K.A.R. Agency 117).
A home appraisal establishes a property's value for the lender's decision on a mortgage. Federal law requires an appraisal by a state licensed or certified appraiser for federally related transactions, including loans from federally insured lenders. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) work specifically requires a Certified Residential or Certified General appraiser listed on the ASC National Registry. Buyers, sellers, and lenders can also use the appraisal to inform a listing or offer price.
Sources: KRPAB: How to Enter the Real Property Appraisal Profession in Kentucky (Criteria FAQ, rev. October 2019).
A home appraisal provides an independent, professional opinion of a property's value, developed to comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Lenders rely on appraisals to support mortgage decisions, and owners order them for other purposes, such as setting a listing price or valuing property in a divorce.
Sources: LREAB: Appraiser Trainee requirements and supervision; LREAB: Licensed Residential Appraiser.
A home appraisal is an independent, professional opinion of a property's value, and lenders use it to decide how much they will lend against the home. In Michigan, the appraisal must be conducted by a licensed third-party appraiser with no connection to the buyer, seller, or lender. The lender usually orders the appraisal, and the borrower usually pays for it.
Sources: Michigan LARA: limited real estate appraiser (trainee) license; Michigan LARA: state licensed appraiser license.
A home appraisal estimates a property's market value so a lender can decide whether and how much to lend against it. In New York, the appraiser must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and must include the appropriate license title, such as State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, with the license number adjacent to it on the appraisal report and contract for services.
Sources: NY DOS: Become a Real Estate Appraiser (requirements, fees, exam process); NY DOS: Real Estate Appraiser FAQs (categories, education, experience, CE, reciprocity).
A home appraisal is a professional opinion of the value of real property or an interest in real property as of a given date. Lenders rely on it in transactions such as first-lien mortgages, where the borrower has the right to receive a free copy no later than three days before loan closing. In Oregon, only a person holding an ACLB registration, license, or certificate may issue such an opinion.
Sources: Oregon ACLB: How to Become An Appraiser (official step-by-step page); Oregon ACLB: home page (renewal/CE notices).
A home appraisal is an independent, professional opinion of what a property is worth, prepared under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Lenders require one for federally related transactions such as mortgage lending. Rhode Island appraisers also serve attorneys and courts with date-of-death, probate, estate, and divorce valuations and with expert testimony.
Sources: Rhode Island regulation 230-RICR-30-20-1: real estate appraisers (effective 05/07/2025); ASC: 2026.08.17 RI Appraiser Final Compliance Review.
A home appraisal provides a licensed appraiser's independent opinion of a property's market value. Lenders, courts, and tax authorities rely on appraisals for mortgage lending, estate settlements, divorce proceedings, tax appeals, and mortgage insurance removal. In Tennessee, a single-family appraisal typically costs several hundred dollars.
Sources: TREAC: Registered Trainee (how to get a license); TREAC: Real Estate Appraiser (Licensed).
A home appraisal estimates a property's market value, most often to support a lender's decision; mortgage lenders frequently require an appraisal when a home is bought or refinanced. Federal law requires that a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser perform appraisals for federally related transactions, and that appraiser must comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Sources: TALCB: Become an Appraiser Trainee; TALCB: Become a Licensed Residential Appraiser.
A home appraisal estimates the property's market value, which a lender uses to decide how much to lend against the home. For an FHA-insured loan, the appraiser also judges whether the home meets HUD standards for safety, soundness, and security. The buyer typically pays the appraisal cost, often as part of closing costs.
Sources: Wisconsin DSPS: Appraiser, Licensed profession page; Wisconsin DSPS: Appraiser, Licensed — Licensure by Examination.