Desktop Appraisals Vs. Physical Appraisals

Real Estate Blog

When buying a house, there are numerous steps that must be completed before the bank will actually close the deal. One of the common steps is an appraisal, but your lender might require two different types of appraisals. Here are the two most common types of appraisals and the differences they offer.

Types of Appraisals

The two main types of appraisals are full appraisals and desktop appraisals. Businesses that offer appraisal services might offer both options and your lender may require one of these or both.

The goal of any appraisal is to determine the current market value of a house. This is important to lenders because they base loan values on house values. A lender will not loan out more money than a house is worth, and most lenders will only loan a certain percentage of the home's value.

If you are buying a house and need a loan to make the purchase, you can expect to need at least one type of appraisal, if not both.

The Main Differences

There are numerous differences in these types of appraisals, and here are three of the main ones:

Details

One of the main differences in desktop and full appraisals is the details each type offers. A desktop appraisal is not as detailed as a full appraisal because it does not involve a physical inspection of the house. The appraiser will look up the property tax information from the house to determine its size, features, and value.

A physical appraisal will involve an appraiser physically measuring the house, examining it, and taking pictures of it.

Accuracy

Because of the differences in the way these appraisals are conducted, a desktop appraisal is much faster, but it may not be quite as accurate as a physical inspection. Both types of appraisals compare the house and its features to other houses that have sold recently, and this is a standard step in all types of appraisals.

Cost

A full appraisal will cost more than a desktop appraisal. This is because it takes more time, and it often involves driving. Banks often require both types just for an extra layer of protection. If there is a huge discrepancy in the results, it may prompt the bank to look into the house a little further.

If you need a fast, inexpensive way to find out the value of a house, choosing a desktop appraisal review is the way to go. With this option, you will be able to find out a relatively accurate value on a house, and it will not cost you a lot of money.

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10 November 2014

A Successful Home Sale

Do you absolutely adore your home, but are planning an upcoming move due to a career change? If you’re moving in the near future, you might desperately desire to sell your current home as soon as possible. To help you accomplish this important task, consider hiring an experienced, real estate agent in your community. This individual can help you select the perfect selling price for your house. Your real estate agent can also provide valuable information about staging your home to perfection. For instance, to make your home more inviting, your real estate agent might suggest you purchase new bedding, window treatments, and artwork. On this blog, I hope you will discover how a real estate agent can help you sell your home fast. Enjoy!