You’ve found your dream home and now it’s time to cross all your "t's" and dot all your "i's" before it’s all your own. And one of the first items on your closing checklist is the home appraisal. So, what exactly is that?
The home appraisal is essentially a value assessment of the home and property. It is conducted by a certified third party and is used to determine whether the home is priced appropriately.
During a home appraisal, the Appraiser conducts a complete visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the home. He or she factors in a variety of things, including the home’s floor plan and functionality, the condition, fixtures, lot size, location, school district, and more. An upward adjustment is generally made if the home has a deck, a unique view, or a large yard. The appraiser will also compare the home to several similar homes in the vicinity that were sold within the last several months. The length of time will vary by location and local custom.
The final report must include a street map showing the property and the properties used for comparison, photographs of the interior and exterior, an explanation on how the square footage was calculated, market sales data, public land records, and more.
After it is complete, the lender uses the information found to ensure that the property is worth the amount they are investing (the loan). This is a safe-guard for the lender as the home acts as collateral for the mortgage. If the buyer defaults on the mortgage and the property goes into foreclosure, the lender generally sells the home to recover the money borrowed.
If you feel that this information may help you or a client, please reach out. It is my mission to help others.
Jeremiah L. McGuire
Attorney
Memphis, TN
901-494-1622
jeremiah@harkavyshainberg.com
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