Agree the assignment and arrange access
Start with the property, intended use, effective date and report users. For a mortgage transaction, follow the lender’s ordering instructions. For a private appraisal, explain the decision the report must support.
Confirm the scope, fee and delivery estimate. Identify who can arrange access and tell the appraiser about locked spaces, utilities or safety concerns before the visit.
The property visit
The appraiser may measure and photograph the home and observe its layout, size, condition and fixed features. Garages, basements, outdoor improvements and other relevant spaces help explain the property.
Have records of major renovations, additions and repairs available. For an earlier valuation date, photographs and records of past condition can be particularly useful. The current visit alone may not explain how the property looked then.
Research and analysis
The appraiser researches relevant sales and market conditions, then considers differences in location, size, features and condition. The sales comparison approach is one possible method. Other methods may be appropriate depending on the property and assignment.
A nearby sale is not automatically comparable. The report needs an explanation of why the evidence is relevant to the home and the effective date.
The written report
The report describes the property, the work performed, the evidence and the reasoning behind the opinion of value. Agree the recipient and intended users before work begins.
A mortgage appraisal can affect a lender’s decision and the parties’ next steps. A private report may inform a sale, buyout or estate decision. The appraisal itself does not decide the transaction or guarantee its outcome.
What comes after
Read the report in light of its purpose, date and scope. Ask about a specific fact or explanation if you have a question. A home inspection or specialist investigation may still be needed for repair or condition questions outside the appraisal.