Orlando Appraisal Blog

A home appraisal has two major parts:

1. The on-site property inspection
2. The market analysis and valuation report

Let’s break each one down.

?? 1. The on-site inspection

This is the part most homeowners think of as “the appraisal,” but it’s really just the first step.

What the appraiser looks at

• Overall condition
  They check the home’s age, wear, updates, and general upkeep.
• Interior features
  Bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, flooring, windows, appliances, HVAC, etc.
• Exterior features
  Roof condition, siding, foundation, drainage, lot size, landscaping.
• Quality of construction
  Materials used, craftsmanship, and any renovations or additions.
• Health & safety items
  Handrails, smoke detectors, water heater straps, electrical panel issues, etc.
• Functional layout
  Does the floor plan make sense? Any awkward or outdated configurations?

What the appraiser does not do

• They don’t inspect like a home inspector.
• They don’t check behind walls, test every outlet, or look for code violations.
• They don’t tell you what repairs to make (unless it’s an FHA/VA loan, which has specific requirements).

How long it takes

• 20–45 minutes for a typical home
• Up to 90 minutes for large or complex properties

?? 2. The market analysis (done after they leave your home)

This is where the real valuation work happens.

The appraiser analyzes:

• Comparable sales (“comps”)
  Recently sold homes similar to yours in size, age, condition, and location.
• Active and pending listings
  To understand current market competition.
• Market trends
  Appreciation, inventory levels, and demand in your area.
• Adjustments
  They add or subtract value based on differences between your home and the comps
  (e.g., +$15k for a pool, –$10k for an outdated kitchen).

They also consider:

• Neighborhood characteristics
• School zones
• Proximity to amenities
• Zoning and land use
• Any external factors (busy roads, power lines, etc.)

?? 3. The final appraisal report

The appraiser compiles everything into a standardized report (often a Uniform Residential Appraisal Report, or URAR).

It includes:

• Photos of the home
• A sketch of the floor plan
• Comparable sales grid
• Market analysis
• Notes on condition and features
• The final opinion of value

This report is typically delivered to the lender or client within 2–7 days after the inspection.

?? The purpose of the appraisal

The goal is simple:
Determine the fair market value of the property at that moment in time.

It protects:

• Lenders from over-lending
• Buyers from over-paying
• Sellers by validating pricing
• Homeowners during refinances, divorces, estates, and other legal matters

If you want, I can also explain:

• What hurts a home appraisal
• What helps a home appraisal
• How to prepare your home before the appraiser arrives
• What’s different about FHA, VA, and conventional appraisals

Just tell me where you want to go next.