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How Does Home Appraisal Affect Mortgage

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An appraisal is hired by the lender, but typically paid by the buyer. An appraisal is typically $350-500.

However, this depends on whom the buyer is using for their mortgage. It is common for the Big 5 banks in Canada to pay for the appraisal, and some mortgage brokers may also cover this bill as a part of their service.

Why Is An Appraisal Necessary

In essence, this appraisal is just your lenders way of making sure that their interests are covered. A mortgage is a loan that is tied to a specific piece of property. Without an accurate assessment of that propertys worth, there is no way for them to judge the situation.

An appraisal is necessary to protect the interests of both the lender and the borrower. If the home turns out to be worth more than expected, the lender is likely to raise the amount of the down payment . If the home turns out to be worth less than expected, the borrower can re-negotiate the down payment, and possibly some of the other terms as well.

Without an appraisal, there is nothing to guarantee that anyone is getting a good deal. The lender will have no way to know if they are paying the right amount of money to the seller, and the borrower has no way of knowing if they are getting ripped off on their mortgage terms.

How To Prepare For A Home Appraisal: For Sellers

Wondering how to get ready for a home appraisal? Take a look at several things you can do to get ready:

  • Gather documents for the home appraiser. Collect information about property size and proof of any home improvements, complete with receipts.
  • Clean up and declutter. Fix small things, such as repairing dented drywall or replace a broken section of banister on the stairwell.
  • Focus on the exterior. Pay attention to curb appeal. Landscaping, raking sticks, clearing weeds from your yard and cleaning the gutters can make a difference.
  • Update amenities. Look critically at major appliances, detailed finishes and other amenities before the appraisal and make any upgrades that you think can help add to your home value.

Any maintenance, finishing and repairs could potentially help the selling price of a home, though you dont always have control over certain factors, such as the particular market conditions when you buy.

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Who Pays For The Home Appraisal

Buyers typically pay for appraisals, and the cost can vary depending on the mortgage lender. Most of the time, its paid when the appraisal is conducted prior to closing.Need a knowledgeable partner on your side when navigating mortgage rates, determining the best purchase price on your dream home and more? Let Morty guide you through the exact process.

Work With An Experienced Realtor

Home Appraisals, Explained.

Working with an experienced realtor that knows the market and how to determine market value will help to prevent you from overpaying, and in turn prevent a low appraisal. Working with a realtor is a FREE service when you are purchasing a home, and were there to guide you through the process, provide information on comparable sales, and help to keep you informed so you can make an educated decision. If you want an experienced realtor on your side to help you purchase, then .

Working with the right realtor that knows how to determine market value will help to prevent low appraisals and over paying. If youre looking to talk to a realtor, then give us a call at . Prefer text? or email to start a conversation.

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The Difference Between A Home Appraisal And Home Inspection

Some people may confuse an appraisal with an inspection. While similar, some primary differences can help distinguish the two. Even though the two processes are similar, the goals of each are very different. An appraisal determines the value of the home, while the inspection uncovers damages to the property and estimates repair costs. Some aspects are present in both processes, while others are unique to one or the other. For example, both appraisals and inspections check the condition of all primary structures and systems within the home. Only inspections provide costs estimates for any repairs the home needs and only appraisals check the price of recently sold comparable properties.

Both processes are essential parts of real estate transactions and contain some of the same aspects, but they have very different purposes and goals. Now you know what a home appraisal is and what purpose it serves. Lets look at how the value of your home will be determined.

Structural Or Foundation Issues

When it comes to major issues like a cracked foundation, its better to be upfront with the appraiser about what you know. That means giving the appraiser any bids or estimates for the work. An appraiser can factor that cost into their calculations instead of using a more general figure, which may skew high.

Dont try to withhold information because youre afraid to tell us, and we have to guess, Spurgeon says. We can sort out what we need and dont need. The more forthcoming and honest you are, the less likely we are to keep digging.

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The Appraisal Process And How Values Are Determined

Because the appraisal primarily protects the lender’s interests, the lender will usually order the appraisal. An appraisal costs several hundred dollars and the borrower generally pays the fee.

According to the Appraisal Institute, an association of professional real estate appraisers, a qualified appraiser should be licensed or certifiedas required in all 50 statesand be familiar with the local area. Per federal regulations, the appraiser must be impartial and have no direct or indirect interest in the transaction.

A property’s appraisal value is influenced by recent sales of similar properties and by current market trends. The home’s amenities, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the floor plan’s functionality, and the square footage are also key factors in assessing the home’s value. The appraiser must perform a complete visual inspection of the interior and exterior and note any conditions that adversely affect the property’s value, such as needed repairs.

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If required, an appraisal is typically ordered once your offer to purchase has been accepted.

An appraisal is typically included as a part of your financing clause, so you should insist that your lender performs the appraisal during the subject removal period.

The appraisal will typically be done once the lender has already approved your income, and just needs to approve the property itself. In most situations 7 days is plenty of time for the lender to approve your income, the property, and have it appraised.

The steps to complete an appraisal are as follows:

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Will Appraiser Experience Affect A Home Appraisal

Appraising is like any job it requires skill and experience to get good at it. An experienced appraiser may see things that add to your home value that a new appraiser wouldnt. But, on the other hand, an experienced appraiser will also see the little things that hurt value. They know what to look for and what homeowners may try to hide.

S To Take When A Home Sale Is On The Line

Congratulations! Youve decided to purchase a home, your offer has been accepted, and the conditions have been satisfied. The only thing standing in your way is a low appraisal value. You might be wondering what happens now?

To help you navigate a situation you probably never thought youd be in, this article will explain what a low appraisal means for you and your mortgage, and what steps you may need to take.

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How Do Appraisals Affect Your Mortgage

If you are in the process of getting a mortgage, you have probably heard about the appraisal that will soon be necessary. As this is a perfectly normal part of the process, there is no need to be alarmed in any way. Still, it always helps to have a little more knowledge about how the situation is likely to go down so that you can prepare accordingly. In this article, we will give you the basics of home appraisal and explain how they affect mortgages like yours.

What Is An Appraisal

How Does an Appraisal Affect a Mortgage?

An appraisal is the best way to estimate your propertys fair market value based on the location, condition, and recent sales of similar homes in the surrounding area. Beyond an estimate of how much your property is worth, an appraisal also indicates the amount a lender will let you borrow for a property.

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What If I Dont Agree With My Home Appraisal

Sometimes the appraisers value is not only lower than you would like it to be but also lower than you think your home is worth. An appraisal is just one persons opinion, Ailion says. While this is a trained and educated opinion, as with all professions, there are good and bad practitioners.

Given the strict federal regulations governing the process, is there anything that you can do about a low appraisal? If the homeowner does not like the value of the appraisal, they can write a letter of appeal to the lender or AMC, but the chance of an appraiser changing their opinion is very slim unless the homeowner has overwhelming evidence that the value is off, says Benton.

Your appeal will only succeed if you can show that the appraiser made a significant error, such as listing the square footage or room count incorrectly disregarding an important amenity such as a pool or spa or disregarding a comparable sale that might support a higher value while cherry-picking a less suitable comparable that would indicate a lower value, says Parsons.

You might also make a case, says Ailion, by pointing out that the comparables used were in an inferior school district or an inferior subdivision that did not have a homeowners association with swimming pools and tennis courts, that all the comparables were distressed or real estate-owned sales, or that they have other negative externalities influencing value, such as being on a busy street.

How Does A Home Appraisal Work

The home appraisal works the same no matter where you live. After you apply for a mortgage, the lender will order an appraisal on the home youve put under contract or the home you own and are refinancing.

The appraiser comes inside the home, takes pictures and measurements, and takes notes about its condition.

They will also take pictures of the homes exterior and pictures of the comparable sales in the area.

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The Difference Between Appraised Value Vs Market Value Vs Assessed Value

When in the market to buy or sell a home, youll encounter many numbers. Though, none are more critical than the listing price or home value.

What makes them different? It depends on where you are in your home buying journey and whether youre the buyer or seller, of course. But to provide some clarity lets take a look at what market value, assessed value, and appraised value are.

Heres what you need to know.

Does The Year It Was Built Affect Appraisal Value

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Homes that are 10-20 years old are much less likely to have a major issue, so anything older than this may get a lower appraisal simply because of the homes age. However, a well-maintained home in a historic district may get a higher appraisal despite little issues that are sure to arise in an older home because of the desirability of the neighborhood.

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Pest Infestation Or Damage

You definitely dont want the appraiser to check yes in the box recording whether theres evidence of an infestation. Mice droppings in the basement, hollowed or damaged wood from termites these are major issues to address before an appraiser ever comes through. If you suspect a pest problem, hire the appropriate professional for an evaluation. Then, pay to take care of the problem and obtain a certification that the issue has been addressed.

The Bottom Line: Home Appraisals Help Ensure Youre Getting Your Moneys Worth On Your New Property

Appraisals are an important part of the home buying process as they can even help you renegotiate if the appraisal is different than asking price.

If youre in need of financing, get started today with Rocket Mortgage® and begin your road to homeownership!

Take the first step toward the right mortgage.

Apply online for expert recommendations with real interest rates and payments.

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Home Appraisals For Refinancing A Mortgage

If youre refinancing your mortgage, youll likely need an appraisal just like you did when you bought the home.

Mortgage Lenders must know how much the home is worth, especially if youre trying to take cash out of your homes equity.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, though. If you have an FHA loan or VA loan and use the streamline refinance process, you wont need to pay for another appraisal since youre only refinancing the amount you owe, and youre not taking cash out of the equity.

Does A Messy House Affect An Appraisal

How Do Appraisals Affect Your Mortgage?

Appraisers try to look past all that. But sometimes, a messy home indicates a home that isnt being well taken care of. And clutter may actually hide rot, waste, and water damage. So while appraisers may not consider it in home value, it may add time to the appraisal or raise additional questions.

While appraisals are supposed to be unbiased, you generally dont want to do anything that makes the appraisers work harder or longer. That could cause subconscious bias the appraiser isnt even aware of.

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Do Appraisers Look In Cabinets

In most homes, the appraiser will have no reason to look in the cabinets because they do not need to open them to measure living space. However, if there are obvious signs of disrepair, broken hinges, infestation, etc., they might look in cabinets. Its best to do a little organization before the appraisal if theyre messy. But they generally wont be what hurts a home appraisal.

What Does A Va Appraiser Look For

The Department of Veterans Affairs has set forth some specific guidelines for appraisals since Veterans can utilize a unique VA home loan. They also use a Uniform Residential Appraisal Report.

They will also be looking at the above items that a traditional appraiser looks for. However, they are less likely to make adjustments for certain features that can make a home more attractive to the right buyer.

For example, a traditional appraiser might give your home some extra value for having an amazing, kid-friendly backyard that is so much better than the one on the comp homes compared to yours.

A VA appraiser determines value a little more by the book with little wiggle room from unexpected appealing factors in your home.

For this reason, what hurts a home appraisal can be that you got a VA appraisal, not a traditional one. But keep in mind, you wont always have a choice. This depends on who your home buyers lender is.

The VA is also very protective of the service people it is appraising homes for. So they may require that you fix certain things that come up on an appraisal before the VA will approve a loan.

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How A Home Appraisal Works

For the most part, a real estate appraisal is fairly straightforward. After you apply for a mortgage, agree on a home purchase price, and the home is under contract, an appraiser will review the property to determine whether its worth as much as the agreed-upon price.

Most states require appraisers to have specific training and credentials. In addition to visiting the home and walking through it, an appraiser usually looks at recent real estate transactions to determine what nearby homes with similar features have sold for.

What If The Appraisal Is Higher Or Lower Than The Selling Price

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If the appraisal is higher than the selling price, then congratulations, youre getting a great deal by paying less for a home thats actually worth more! This scenario has no impact on your mortgage.

If the appraisal is lower than the selling price, you can still get a mortgage, but it changes things a bit. Remember that your mortgage is based on the homes market value, not the selling price. So, in the above case, if you purchase a home for $500,000 with an appraised value of $450,000, you will be responsible for the difference, which in this case is $50,000. But you also have other options. You can appeal/ask for another appraisal, you can walk away from the sale altogether , or you can use the appraisal to try to negotiate a lower sale price.

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What To Do If You Arent Happy With Your Home Appraisal

  • The first step is to talk to the appraiser during the appraisal. If you have a brand new roof, think your attic qualifies as living space, etc., most appraisers will be okay with mentioning those things as long as you do it respectfully.
  • Get a copy of the appraisal.
  • See if you spot mistakes.
  • Look at the comps. Do you strongly disagree that theyre comparable? Be prepared to explain why.
  • See if permits are an issue.
  • Make unofficial changes to the appraisal.
  • Send a petition to the appraiser to reconsider based on your notes
  • If this goes nowhere, request an appraisal from someone else. Youll probably have to pay more for it.
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