Who to Hire for Home Appraisals

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

When wondering who to hire for a home appraisal, the answer is a licensed, objective home appraiser who determines value and provides the documentation lenders or insurers need. Appraisers are state-licensed and impartial, with no stake in the outcome. This is not a DIY task—official appraisals must be completed by a licensed professional.

Benefits of Hiring a Home Appraiser to Appraise Your Home

A local, licensed home appraiser delivers an unbiased, lender-accepted assessment of value. These pros use local data and comparable sales to support accurate, defensible results. Choosing someone who focuses on residential properties helps ensure a fair appraisal when you are buying or selling a house and need reliable documentation.

Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a licensed home appraiser:

• State licensing and certification ensure valid, accepted reports

• An impartial third-party assessment removes conflicts of interest

• Lenders accept licensed appraiser reports for financing

• Local comparable sales data support an accurate valuation

• Residential specialization matches the property type

• Clear documentation to share with lenders or insurers

• Professional experience identifies value-driving property features

• Objective valuation supports pricing and negotiation decisions

If you want to ensure a qualified professional handles your valuation, consider a house appraiser near you to get an accurate, lender-accepted report.

Can I Hire a Home Inspector to Appraise My Home?

Home inspectors can point out issues that affect value, but they are not qualified to perform an appraisal. You still need a licensed appraiser to conduct the appraisal and produce the report. An inspection can be useful beforehand to flag fixes that may improve value. It adds an extra step, so use inspection findings to address issues before the appraisal.

If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, the buyer can pay the difference, the seller can reduce the price, or both can meet in the middle. For FHA or VA financing, the price must drop to the appraised value to proceed. Buyers can also appeal and provide their own comparable sales.

How Do Home Appraisers Perform an Appraisal?

Appraisers combine an on-site review with market analysis to establish unbiased value, then compile a written report that lenders accept. They assess the property’s condition and features, analyze comparable sales, and consider neighborhood factors that influence value. After gathering and verifying data, they finalize and deliver the appraisal report.

Here’s a look at the process:

• Visual assessment of the house and property

• Documentation of findings

• Comparable sales analysis using similar local homes that recently sold

• Neighborhood analysis 

• Compile findings and finalize the written appraisal report

On-site work takes 30 minutes to several hours, but the final report may take days or weeks to arrive.

How Much Does a Home Appraisal Cost?

A home appraisal costs an average of $360. Expect higher pricing for large homes or in areas with limited comparable sales. In most real estate transactions, the buyer pays for the appraisal as part of the lending process. 

Current homeowners can also order an appraisal to determine the market value for non-purchase purposes. Home size and the availability of nearby comparable properties influence the total cost.