How Much Does a Home Appraisal Cost in 2025?

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Nationally, home appraisals cost an average of $358, with most homeowners paying an average range between $314 and $423, depending on various factors. At the extremes, simple appraisals might cost as little as $250, while more complex evaluations can reach $500. 

When purchasing or refinancing a home, a professional appraisal provides an unbiased assessment of the property's market value. While the expense may initially seem like just another closing cost, appraisals provide valuable protection. They help ensure lenders finance properties at appropriate values and prevent buyers from paying more than a home is worth. As a guideline, expect appraisal fees to represent 0.15% to 0.30% of the property's overall value.

Home Appraisal Cost Factors

Several key elements influence the final price you'll pay for a professional property appraisal.

Property Size and Type

Larger homes require more extensive evaluation time, which increases appraisal costs. Properties with simple layouts and standard features cost less to appraise than those with unique designs or custom elements. Multi-level homes or those with complex architectural features may require additional assessment time.

Property Condition

Properties in poor repair often require more detailed documentation and analysis, potentially increasing appraisal costs. Unique features or recent renovations necessitate additional research to determine their impact on value. Homes with extensive upgrades require more detailed documentation to capture their full worth.

Loan Type Requirements

Different loan programs impose varying appraisal standards. Government-backed mortgages, jumbo loans, and investment property financing often have stricter requirements that extend the appraisal process. Refinancing appraisals may focus specifically on value changes since the original loan, requiring different evaluation approaches.

Report Complexity

Basic form reports satisfy many standard mortgage requirements, but certain situations demand more comprehensive narrative assessments. Detailed reporting requires additional research and documentation time. The availability of comparable properties in the immediate area also affects complexity—fewer suitable comparisons mean more analysis work.

Location and Market

Appraisal prices often reflect regional cost-of-living differences. Metropolitan areas often command higher fees than rural locations due to increased operational costs and higher demand. In competitive real estate markets with limited appraiser availability, prices may rise accordingly.

Geographic location significantly impacts appraisal pricing, with fees varying considerably across different regions and cities.

Market activity levels also influence pricing. Busy housing markets may experience higher rates due to appraiser demand. Regional differences in licensing requirements and professional availability can further affect local pricing patterns.

Home Appraisal Cost by Home Type

Different property types require varying levels of expertise and time investment, affecting their appraisal costs.

Standard Loan Appraisals

For conventional mortgage loans, standard appraisals are the most frequently requested type. These cost between $300 and $400 for single-family residences. The appraiser examines the property's characteristics, condition, and comparable recent sales to determine fair market value. This evaluation level satisfies requirements for most traditional home purchase transactions.

Government-Backed Loan Appraisals

Appraisals for FHA, VA, and USDA loans involve additional requirements, resulting in higher costs ranging from $400 to $900. For example, the USDA loan appraisal fee for a single-family home is $775, which is higher than the overall average home appraisal fee of $358. These specialized appraisals must verify that properties meet specific safety and condition standards beyond what conventional loans require.

Desktop Appraisals

Some situations allow for desktop appraisals, which rely on property records and documentation rather than physical inspection. While these evaluations can be more affordable, many lenders don't accept them for initial mortgage applications. They're better suited for preliminary estimates or certain refinancing scenarios where full inspections aren't necessary.

Drive-By Appraisals

As the name suggests, drive-by appraisals involve evaluating only the property's exterior. This limited scope reduces the appraiser's time investment and results in lower fees. Lenders may permit this approach for certain refinance situations or home equity loans when borrowers have substantial equity and strong credit profiles.

What Does a Home Appraisal Include?

A comprehensive home appraisal encompasses several key evaluation components:

• Property inspection: Evaluating both interior spaces and exterior features.

• Comparable sales analysis: Researching similar recently sold properties in the area.

• Market trends evaluation: Considering local real estate activity patterns.

• Property measurements: Confirming actual square footage and layout details.

• Condition assessment: Noting structural elements and maintenance status.

• Features documentation: Recording amenities, improvements, and unique characteristics.

The final report adheres to professional standards, incorporating photographs, property sketches, market data analysis, and the appraiser's value conclusion.

Home Appraisal vs. Home Inspection

Though sometimes confused, appraisals and inspections serve fundamentally different purposes. Appraisals determine market value primarily to protect the lender's financial interest. They don't provide a detailed analysis of every potential property issue.

Home inspections, by contrast, focus on identifying specific problems like electrical issues, plumbing leaks, or structural concerns. Buyers request inspections to understand a property's maintenance needs before finalizing a purchase. While both services involve property evaluation, they address different needs and shouldn't substitute for each other.

Why Do You Need a Home Appraisal?

Property appraisals fulfill several important functions:

• Mortgage approval requirements for property purchases.

• Refinancing existing loans to secure better terms.

• Home equity loans requiring current property valuation.

• Property tax appeals challenging assessment values.

• Estate planning for asset division purposes.

• Divorce settlements requiring equitable property division.

• Insurance coverage determination for replacement value.

Professional appraisals provide objective third-party valuations that help prevent both overvaluation and undervaluation in real estate transactions.

What to Do About a Low Home Appraisal

If you’ve received a low appraisal, there are some considerations to keep in mind, whether you’re the home buyer or seller. 

Options for Buyers

When appraisals come in below the offer price, buyers have several potential approaches. They might negotiate with sellers for price reductions, contribute additional cash to bridge the gap, or request reconsideration with additional comparable sales data. Some lenders allow second appraisal requests for another perspective. If other solutions fail, purchase agreements often include contingencies allowing buyers to withdraw without penalty.

Options for Sellers

Sellers facing low appraisals might adjust asking prices to match appraised values, request value reconsideration with supplemental information, or seek cash buyers who don't require lender approval. Some choose to make strategic improvements before requesting new appraisals. In certain markets, temporarily withdrawing and relisting later might make sense if conditions are expected to improve.

Tips to Improve Future Appraisals

Help get a favorable outcome from your future home appraisals with these tips:

• Make necessary repairs before the appraiser visits to enhance the overall property condition.

• Provide documentation of recent upgrades to ensure improvements are properly valued.

• Present the property in clean, organized condition during the evaluation.

• Research comparable property sales that support your value expectations.

• Highlight special features that might not be immediately apparent.

While presentation matters, remember that professional appraisers in your area must follow established guidelines regardless of cosmetic enhancements.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.