
Your home appraisal could receive a random quality review, or one called for due to a quality issue found once it was completed. For example, if you have a high debt-to-income level, the home appraisal your mortgage lender ordered could come under quality control scrutiny.
What is an appraisal review?
Appraisal reviews can be either “desk review” or “field review”. There is no additional cost to the buyer for an appraisal review. A “desk review” requires an additional review by someone other than the underwriter. This could be another underwriter, a manager, or even an internal appraiser that’s on the lender’s staff.
What is the purpose of an appraisal on a house?
An appraisal determines the fair market value for a home. In other words, it assures you and your lender that the price you’ve agreed to pay for a home is fair. Appraisals are also often used to determine property taxes, which makes them a requirement in most counties.
What happens after the appraisal report?
Mortgage underwriting is usually the next stage that occurs, once the appraiser has completed his or her report. The mortgage lender’s underwriter will review the loan file to make sure all required documents are present. The underwriter will also assess the risk level associated with the loan, and give an approval or denial based on that.
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
Remember that an appraisal is not the same as a home inspection. While an appraiser and a home inspector may look at the same features of your home, an appraiser won’t necessarily test the functionality of all your home’s systems, nor will they flag specific items of concern.
What are the bones of contention in appraisal?
Can you avoid a report being reviewed?

How long is an appraisal under review?
An appraisal report can take anywhere from one to three weeks under normal conditions. The time it takes to prepare can be affected by the complexity of the report, as well as the size and value of the property being assessed.
What happens when appraisal is in review?
Occasionally, an additional examination is required via an appraisal review or a second appraisal. Appraisal reviews don't cost any money, and a second appraisal has the same appraisal costs as a first appraisal. The appraisal review is the lessor of the two options. It involves a second look from the lender's staff.
What do appraisers look for when reviewing?
We want to help homeowners spot check the reports....Here are the top three things to look for when reviewing your appraisal report:Is the subject property reported with the correct bedrooms, baths, garage, pool and etc? ... Are the comparable sales used really comparable? ... Is the appraised value bracketed?
How long after an appraisal do you hear back?
Depending on these factors, home buyers can expect to receive their appraisal report within a week or two after the appraisal took place. In addition to the home's condition, the appraisal report will also provide a detailed market analysis.
Why does an appraisal have to be reviewed?
An appraisal review serves as a tool in measuring the credibility of the report by determining whether it supports a relevant development process. The review serves as a test of reasonableness to see if the methods and techniques used are appropriate to the assignment.
Do appraisers know the purchase price?
Therefore, the appraiser will most likely know the selling price of a home but this is not always the case. There are times that we have appraised properties for private sales where both the buyer and seller have declined to provide this information.
What negatively affects home appraisal?
What negatively affects a home appraisal? One of the big things that can have a negative affect is the age and condition of the home's systems (HVAC, plumbing) and appliances. If the local market is declining, that'll also hurt your home's appraised value.
What will fail a home appraisal?
Anything from deferred maintenance on the home to cool market conditions can lower a home appraisal. Recent sales in the neighborhood will help determine the market value of the home. So if sales have been slow, or if sellers have been accepting lower offers, the value of all homes in the area can be affected.
Does cleanliness affect a home appraisal?
The short answer is “no, a messy home should not affect the outcome of an appraisal.” However, it's good to be aware that there are circumstances in which the state of your home can negatively affect its value.
What's the next step after the appraisal?
What Happens After the Appraisal? If all goes well, the appraisal gets slipped into the pile of paperwork and the closing process takes one step forward. The next step is mortgage underwriting.
Are appraisals higher in 2022?
Like all the other products, building materials are in short supply and cost more now. This slow down in the supply chain has created a new kind of scarcity, and it's increasing prices across the United States. This is expected to last well into 2022 or beyond, so homes are appraising higher now.
How often do home appraisals come in low?
How often do home appraisals come in low? Low home appraisals do not occur often. According to Fannie Mae, appraisals come in low less than 8 percent of the time, and many of these low appraisals are renegotiated higher after an appeal, Graham says.
What's the next step after the appraisal?
What Happens After the Appraisal? If all goes well, the appraisal gets slipped into the pile of paperwork and the closing process takes one step forward. The next step is mortgage underwriting.
Why would an appraisal be sent back for revisions?
Valuation Management Group's experienced review appraisers may ask the appraiser to consider revising the report for completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, reasonableness, appropriateness, and credibility to help the reader better understand the conclusions presented in the report.
What happens after the appraisal process?
What Happens After An Appraisal? After your home appraisal is complete, the appraiser will assign a monetary value to the property based on their findings, and send this information on to the mortgage lender. Your loan amount will be based on the number that the appraiser assigns to the property.
What happens if the appraisal is lower than the offer?
If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, your lender will likely decrease the amount you can borrow. So you'll either have to pay more out of pocket or get the seller to lower their asking price.
Appraisal Review Checklist - HouseLoan.com
Appraisal Review Checklist Government Transactions Appraisal Review Checklist Page 1 December 11, 2012 LOAN FILE IDENTIFICATION _____ _____ Borrower Name CMC Loan #
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac
Remember that reviewers are on your side
Nakashima’s main takeaway is, it’s nothing personal. Review questions are part of any appraiser’s life, and the process will go much easier if you keep in mind that the reviewer wants to make you look good.
Look out for these common points of contention
According to Nakashima, the most common bones of contention, on an appraisal review, are matters of accuracy, consistency, and logic—and the inclusion of all required elements. Neighborhood characteristics, market conditions and trends, subject site and the subject’s physical characteristics and well as comparable data will be verified.
What Is a Home Appraisal?
An appraisal is an unbiased professional opinion of a home's value. Appraisals are almost always used in purchase-and-sale transactions and commonly in refinance transactions. In a purchase-and-sale transaction, an appraisal is used to determine whether the home's contract price is appropriate given the home's condition, location, and features. In a refinance transaction, an appraisal assures the lender that it isn't handing the borrower more money than the home is worth.
What Is an Appraisal Report?
The report asks the appraiser to describe the interior and exterior of the property, the neighborhood, and nearby comparable sales. The appraiser then provides an analysis and conclusions about the property's value based on their observations. 2
How Long Does a Home Appraisal Take?
The appraisal process takes an average of seven to 10 days. The appraiser visits the property and spends an hour or two inspecting the home's interior and exterior, measuring the square footage, and evaluating the home's features and fixtures. The appraiser also compares the home to other similar, recently sold homes in the neighborhood (aka "comps"). After doing the physical inspection and running the comps, the appraiser writes an appraisal report. The amount of time it takes for the entire process depends on the complexity of the appraisal and the appraiser's workload or schedule.
Why do lenders sell homes?
If the borrower should default on the mortgage and go into foreclosure, the lender will sell the home to recoup the money it lent. The appraisal helps the bank protect itself against lending more than it might be able to recover in this worst-case scenario.
What is a Fannie Mae report?
Typically, appraisers use the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report from Fannie Mae for single-family homes. The report asks the appraiser to describe the interior and exterior of the property, the neighborhood, and nearby comparable sales.
Why do lenders order appraisals?
Because the appraisal primarily protects the lender's interests, the lender will usually order the appraisal. An appraisal costs several hundred dollars and, generally, the borrower pays this fee.
What happens when appraisal value is lower than expected?
When the appraisal value is lower than expected, the transaction can be delayed or even canceled.
What is appraisal review?
The appraisal review is the lessor of the two options. It involves a second look from the lender’s staff. A second appraisal is the more severe option and requires a new Appraiser to perform another appraisal. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Why have lenders upgraded the quality of appraisers?
Lenders have upgraded the quality of Appraisers since the SSR scores provide a quantifiable method of monitoring quality.
What happens if an appraisal is unfavorable?
An unfavorable examination on the appraisal review can impose a lower value than what’s been established by the original appraisal. The loan terms are subject to change if the NEW appraised value versus the sales price comes in lower. You can fight a low appraisal and try to add validity to the first.
What is field review appraisal?
A “field review” requires another Appraiser to visit the property and the surrounding area for a second analysis. This is typically an exterior-only appraisal (i.e. a drive-by appraisal) since the pictures and data about the subject property are already known.
Why is a second appraisal not allowed?
When a second appraisal is NOT allowed. A second appraisal is NOT allowed because of a low value. If the value comes in low then you should learn how to fight a low appraisal and know your options when the appraised value vs. sales price is different.
What is the minimum score for a mortgage appraisal?
A rule of thumb: scores from 3.0 to 4.0 may need a desk review. Scores above 4.0 require a field review. On very, very rare occasions, an appraisal with a score of 5.0 may warrant a second appraisal. This is very rare and may not be allowed by some lenders.
How many appraisals are required for a jumbo loan?
Jumbo loans require two appraisals. Some jumbo investors require a second appraisal at all times. Others may only require a second appraisal when the loan amount exceeds a specific amount (like $1,500,000 or $2,000,000).
Who does the appraisal on a home?
In a home purchase, appraisals are completed by a third-party licensed appraiser who is hired by the lender. The appraiser is typically chosen at random and can’t be connected to the transaction in any way or have any relationship with the buyer or seller. The appraisal happens sometime between the time the home goes under contract and the projected close date.
What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is a professional report that helps gauge a home’s value. Any homeowner can get a home appraisal at any time. For example, if a homeowner is refinancing their mortgage, an appraisal is usually required. But the most common time an appraisal is performed is when you’re selling.
Why do you need an appraisal when buying a house?
If the person buying your home is financing the purchase, their lender orders an appraisal to ensure that the house is worth the amount the bank is agreeing to finance. It’s one of the final steps in the home-buying process, and it’s an important factor to the sale going through.
What happens if appraisal comes back low?
It states that if the appraisal comes back low, the buyer has the option to back out of the deal and get their earnest money back. What the lender is looking for is a healthy loan-to-value ratio, often abbreviated as LTV.
How much does a home appraisal cost?
Home appraisals typically cost between $300 and $600, and they’re ordered by the lender and paid for by the buyer.
What is contingency in appraisal?
A home appraisal contingency is an addendum to the offer contract a buyer submits. It states that if the appraisal comes back low, the buyer has the option to back out of the deal and get their earnest money back.
Why does an FHA appraisal take so long?
FHA loan appraisals often take a bit longer, because they’re government-backed and require more documentation. For example, FHA appraisals must include documentation that the home meets minimum property guidelines for health and safety.
What is an appraisal report?
An appraisal report, whether an equipment appraisal or not, is expected to be an unbiased logical presentation of evidence that supports an opinion of value. For the report to fulfill its purpose, that logical presentation must be based on established standards and presented by a credible writer. This means that an appraisal review will determine ...
What is a reviewer's scope of work?
Consistent with the reviewer’s scope of work, the reviewer is required to develop an opinion as to the completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, and reasonableness of the report, given law, regulations, or intended user requirements applicable to that work . These qualities of completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, ...
Can an unqualified appraiser be duplicatable?
An unqualified appraiser, or an appraiser using flawed methodology, might get lucky and stumble on the “right” number but luck isn’t verifiable or or duplicatable and is certainly not something most attorneys would want to build a legal case on. An appraisal review will determine whether or not the opinion of value is credible and thus defensible. ...
Is equipment appraisal under scrutiny?
Equipment appraisals are also under scrutiny, especially equipment appraisals for collateral lending. Ever since 2008, I’ve been getting get calls from bankers who have a bank regulator asking them some very hard to answer questions about equipment appraisal reports that are far from meeting the industry standard.
Do appraisals meet USPAP standards?
The fact is that many appraisals do not meet the criteria of USPAP Standard 3. This has been an issue of great concern in the banking community since the late 1980’s (S&L crisis). The need for appraisal reviews become such a paramount issue on the world economic stage in 2008 (Great Recession) that 2 years later, Dodd-Frank legislation required appraisal reviews for home loans.
Is appraisal review limited to real estate?
The issue of appraisal review, however, isn’t limited to real estate appraisals. Equipment appraisals are also under scrutiny, especially equipment appraisals for collateral lending. Ever since 2008, I’ve been getting get calls from bankers who have a bank regulator asking them some very hard to answer questions about equipment appraisal reports that are far from meeting the industry standard.
Is an appraisal worth it?
Bottom line: Don’t take for granted that the equipment appraisal you’re basing a loan, a legal case, or a business deal on is worth the paper it’s printed on. If you’re counting on that value, consider an appraisal review.
What is an appraisal review?
An appraisal review is pretty much what it sounds like. It is a “review” of an appraisal report that is done to make sure it meets specific underwriting guidelines and is usually part of a lender’s quality control program.
What does an appraiser look for in a desk review?
One small example of what an appraiser performing a desk review might look at is how an adjustment was applied. For example, if a comparable was larger than the subject was the direction of the adjustment correct. We’re all human and sometimes appraisers make mistakes by adding when they should have subtracted, which can have a material effect on the final opinion of value
What is desk review?
The desk review’s main purpose is to make sure the appraisal was performed per USPAP guidelines. If the review appraiser discovers that the report was deficient in this respect the lender can use the results to question the accuracy of the value arrived at in the original report and as a “grading” tool for the appraisers performance.
Why does a desk review require less time and effort?
The desk review typically requires less time and effort because it is performed in the office and does not require a trip to the property. The desk review does not require the reviewer to look for other comparables but assumes the original appraiser used the best comps that were available.
What is the job of an appraiser?
An appraiser’s job within the report is to describe or tell a story of value in such a way that the reader will understand the reasoning that was used. A review will look to see if they described in sufficient detail how the value was arrived at and if the evidence (sales comparables) support that.
Is a field review the same as a desk appraisal?
For all practical purposes a field review requires as much time and effort as a regular appraisal and is usually priced similar to a full appraisal while a desk review is typically priced less.
Is appraisal review valuable?
From a personal perspective I will say that not only is the appraisal review valuable to the lender, it can be valuable to the appraiser doing the review as well, at least that is how I look at it . It reveals common errors and mistakes that can be made, and in the end makes the reviewer a better appraiser when they are doing their own appraisal assignments.
What Is A Home Appraisal?
A home appraisal is a process through which a real estate appraiser determines the fair market value of a home. It can assure you and your lender that the price you’ve agreed to pay for a home is fair. Appraisals are also often used to determine property taxes, which makes them a requirement in most counties.
What does an appraiser look for in a home?
Instead, the appraiser looks for an overall value to assign to the property.
How Long Does A Home Appraisal Take?
Depending on the type of appraisal ordered by your lender, and the laws of the state where you live, an appraisal can take from several weeks to a few days from start to finish. The inspection itself can last from 15 minutes to several hours, although, as noted above, those longer physical inspections have become less common due to the pandemic. It’s a bit too soon to say whether the technology embraced during the pandemic is here to stay, but it seems likely that tech will continue to speed up this leg of the home buying process.
What are the different types of appraisals?
Other Types Of Appraisals 1 Hybrid appraisal: Hybrid appraisals allow appraisers to use information from a third-party source to complete an appraisal without ever physically visiting a house. In some cases, appraisers might use photographs from the home inspection, or they might hire someone to gather site-specific information in accordance with the lender’s requirements. 2 Desktop appraisal: As technology has been embraced by the real estate industry during the pandemic, desktop appraisals have also increased in popularity. A desktop appraisal is much like a hybrid appraisal except there is no third party involved. The appraiser uses information available online – property records, floor plans and comparable listings, for example – to gather what they need to make an appraisal. 3 Drive-by appraisal: Lenders may be satisfied with a d rive-by, or exterior-only, appraisal for many prospective homeowners. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veteran’s Administration (VA) both allow exterior-only appraisals for most refinances, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, have allowed drive-by appraisals for some home purchases.
Why is appraisal cost more?
Keep in mind that if the property is on a very large plot of land, the appraisal cost will be more because the appraiser often surveys the boundary lines of the property to make sure that the listed square acreage is correct.
How much does an appraisal cost for a single family home?
Most single-family home appraisals cost $300 – $400, while multifamily units typically cost up to $600, though it could be more costly if you live in a rural area or have large acreage.
Why do you need an appraisal for a home?
In other words, it assures you and your lender that the price you’ve agreed to pay for a home is fair. Appraisals are also often used to determine property taxes, which makes them a requirement in most counties.
How long does it take for an underwriter to review an appraisal?
The time it takes the underwriter to review the appraisal depends on its complexity. It also depends on how close the value came in to the purchase price of the home. If the appraisal is way off, the underwriter may have to order a Reconsideration of Valueor the underwriter may ask the staff appraiser to review the report to determine its validity.
How long does it take for an appraiser to report a home?
Typically, appraisers allow up to three business days to churn out the report once they view the property.
What happens if an appraisal is way off?
If the appraisal is way off, the underwriter may have to order a Reconsideration of Value or the underwriter may ask the staff appraiser to review the report to determine its validity. If the appraisal comes in at or higher than the purchase price and the underwriter thinks everything looks okay, it may only take a matter ...
What is underwriting a loan?
Underwriting the Loan – Once you have a home selected and a purchase contract signed, the lender will start the underwriting process. A part of this process is ordering the appraisal. The lender needs proof of the home’s value, proof of your income and assets, and proof that you are gainfully employed before they can order the closing documents. ...
How long does it take to get an appraisal?
Each appraiser has their own turnaround times for an appraisal. In general, you can expect to wait about a week. This gives the appraiser enough time to work out a time with the seller, come see the home, and write the report. Typically, appraisers allow up to three business days to churn out the report once they view the property. Of course, each appraiser may work on their own timeline, so you should ask any appraiser you consider using about their timeline.
How to get a deal on a house?
If you are looking for a deal on a home, one of the best ways to get one is by buying a pre-foreclosure home. Typically, you’ll see pre-foreclosures
Do lenders require appraisals?
Some lenders require the sellers to make the request in writing in order to make it official, so always check with your lender first. The appraisal is usually ordered early enough in the loan process that the lender won’t waste their time if the appraised value isn’t high enough. Of course, no lender will order an appraisal ...
What are the bones of contention in appraisal?
According to Nakashima, the most common bones of contention, on an appraisal review, are matters of accuracy, consistency, and logic— and the inclusion of all required elements. Neighborhood characteristics, market conditions and trends, subject site and the subject’s physical characteristics and well as comparable data will be verified.
Can you avoid a report being reviewed?
“You can’t avoid the report being reviewed but you can avoid revision requests,” he says. “Check your report for the common mistakes. Review the specific lender requirements and make sure you covered all the bases. When you can’t meet a requirement, include a comment that explains why not.”
