A home appraisal provides a comprehensive look at what a piece of property is worth, and in turn, how much a lender is willing to loan you to buy that house. Home values in a specific geographical area are determined in part by the expert opinion of a professional appraiser, who visits and examines the size, condition, quality, and purpose of a home.
Mortgage lenders require an appraisal on a house before they’ll provide a loan. A home appraisal will determine if a home’s value is overpriced, protecting a potential buyer from paying too much for a house. It also protects the bank from getting stuck with a property that’s worth less than the amount they’ve invested.
While home appraisal regulations can vary state-to-state, essentially there are three aspects to the process:
1. Inspection: A certified, state-licensed home appraiser will visit the property to determine the home’s value.
2. Comparison to similar properties: The appraiser will research other homes that are in the same area and similar in makeup. He or she will compare recent home sales in the area to help determine a fair market value. If it’s new construction, the appraiser estimates the cost to replace the structure on the property if it were destroyed, and also takes into consideration land value and depreciation to determine the home’s value.
3. Final appraisal report: Using the data from the inspection and comparables (comps), the appraiser will issue a final appraisal report.
It’s important to remember that a home appraisal is not the same thing as a home inspection. If you’re buying a home, you’ll want to hire a licensed home inspector to highlight any potential problems with the house. Home appraisers will likely make note of any obvious issues, but they won’t test your HVAC system, inspect your chimney, or determine if your electric is up to code. That’s the job of the home inspector.
Properties that are just a couple of streets from one another can differ greatly in price. Accessibility to public transportation, the local schools, on what floor a condo is located, and what borders the property line are all factors that can make a big difference in the price of two seemingly similar homes.
A common misunderstanding is that the appraisal amount is only for the house itself. In fact, the figure appraises the total value of the home and any other permanent structures, along with the land.
Home appraisers look at a few key features when evaluating a property:
Property size: An appraiser will consider the overall size of the plot of land, as well as the house, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. The more bedrooms and bathrooms, the more valued the house.
The exterior: The appraiser will determine what materials comprise the exterior of the house (roof, siding, foundation) and evaluate their condition.
The interior: Similar to the exterior, the appraiser will consider what interior materials were used and what condition they’re in. Damage or defects to the walls, windows, flooring and doors will be noted.
Home improvements: Any improvements that were made under the current ownership can influence the appraised value of the home, such as a finished basement, a new patio, or an upgraded master bathroom.
Extra features: Items such as a swimming pool, fireplace, or garage can increase the home’s value.
While general tidiness of the home won’t help bring a higher appraisal amount, it's important the appraiser has a clear path to the property. Make certain the hedges are trimmed; gutters cleaned and remove any clutter that might impede an appraiser’s evaluation.
It’s the home stretch! Getting familiar with the standard closing documents ahead of time can make the closing process less nerve-wracking. By this point, you should also know what you’ll owe when you sit down to sign the loan paperwork so you won’t be caught off guard by closing costs — some of which may be negotiable.
Moving is a lengthy process and involves several different steps. Without a good organization, it can quickly become a daunting task, and things can get lost or forgotten in the mix. In order to have a successful move that is hassle-free, it is helpful to set up a moving schedule. This will help you stay on track and ensure that everything is done and ready to go come moving day.
Sort and Purge
Start Gathering Moving Supplies
About 6 weeks prior to moving you will want to start gathering the necessary moving supplies. You will need to order and purchase supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. You might also consider specialty boxes and containers for any valuable items.
Confirm Your Moving Company
About 1 month before you move you should schedule your mover. By this time, you should have a good idea of a closing date and this will give you ample time to secure a date. Make sure the moving company gives you an estimate for moving costs and double-check to see that they are insured.
Begin Packing
As soon as your moving date is confirmed it is time to get packing. You should begin with the items you use less frequently and save items such as kitchen dishes for a later time. Take it one room at a time and take extra precautions when packing delicate or fragile items.
Sort and Label Your Boxes
As you are packing it is important to label each box with the contents and the room it belongs to. This will help the movers know where to place each box in your new home. This will also make it easier for you to find items when you are unpacking. Neatly stack and organize your boxes as you pack them so they will be easily accessible for your movers. This will make things much more efficient on moving day.
Pack Up Last-Minute Items
One week prior to moving day it is time to go ahead and finish packing any remaining belongings including dishware. Go ahead and trade your dishes and glasses for disposable cups and plates. Pack a suitcase with necessary toiletry items that you will need up until the last day. Do a final check around the house including the attic, garage, and storage shed to be sure you haven’t left anything behind.
Move and Clean
About 2 months prior to moving it is time to go through every room in your house and decide what you want to keep and what you can live without. Set aside any items that you want to get rid of and decide if you will have a yard sale or you prefer to donate them. Once you have purged all of your unwanted items, you should sort the items that you plan to keep. Decide if you want to keep them out or if it is something that can go ahead and get packed. This step will save you a great deal of time later down the road when it comes time to pack up your home.
The final step in the process is moving day itself! Once the movers have emptied your entire home, it is time to go behind them and give the house a good clean. This will ensure your house is ready for the new owners. As boxes and furniture are being delivered to your new home, have the movers put items in the rooms where they belong. This will make unpacking a much easier process.
You may not be able to eliminate
all of the stress associated with moving, but you
can plan an organized move with the help of this step-by-step guide. Following a schedule will help you to stay on track and make for a more enjoyable moving experience.
We hope this information is helpful in understanding some of the important steps for buying a home. We are here to make this as smooth and efficient a process as possible.
Selling or buying a home is a big decision and a long process. It is important to have someone you can turn to and ask questions of. I would like to earn the right to be that person.
If you ever have any questions or want to know more, please feel free to reach out to me. It is a good idea to have someone on your side when purchasing a home. Here is my contact information, in case you misplaced it?
Information provided courtesy of LERA MLS. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed. Provided courtesy of LERA MLS. Copyright 2026 LERA MLS, All Rights Reserved. Data last updated September 24, 2026 11:40 AM UTC
