How much does it cost for a home appraisal in Houston? It depends on the company, the type of appraisal, and the scope of work. A home appraisal will be conducted by a licensed professional to determine an opinion of value for your property. The main purpose of an appraisal is to determine what someone should pay for a property.
Lenders use appraisal reports to find out how much money they should lend a borrow. The appraiser’s job is to create a report with data analyzing a subject property that backs up the determined value. Reports are also used when a homeowner refinances a mortgage or wants to know the value of their home.
How do home appraisals work
An appraiser will look at a number of factors to get to an opinion of value. One of the methods used: is analyzing comps at least three that have sold in the last 6 months to get an idea of the home’s value.
Besides comps, an appraiser will look at the age, condition of the home, structural construction, square footage, community amenities, updates, improvements, style, and the economy of the local market.
Most appraisals are done in person at the subject property. The analysis of the property will most like be recorded on The Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR).
This report is widely considered to be one of the most common forms used in real estate appraisal. The form, which allows for standard reporting and analysis of single-family dwellings, applies to a one-unit property or one-unit property with an accessory unit. This includes a unit in a planned development.
The form is not for manufactured homes or condominium units.
Regardless of the purpose of the report, whether it’s for a bank or personal use, the process of conducting an appraisal doesn’t change. A qualified appraiser creates a report based on a visual inspection, using recent sales of similar properties, current market trends, and aspects of the home.
How much does an appraisal cost?
The typical single-family home appraisal cost in Houston is between $300-$450. The variation in the price will depend on the company and the scope of work needed.
Price variation could be from the size of the home, condition, and the level of detail needed. By default, the larger the home, the more expensive the appraisal could be.
You could also pay higher fees if you’re getting a jumbo loan. A jumbo loan is a mortgage that’s higher than the usual limits from a lender, and it’s usually for a home that’s larger than average or in a highly desirable area. For example, if you’re buying a home in the River Oaks area.
Why do you need an appraisal?
You need an appraisal to know the value of your property whether you are selling or buying. Whether you are for sale by owner or a lender, you will need a report from a professional.
- Before selling your house: Before you put your house on the market, you want to know what the value of it is. That way you can get the most bang for it!
- Getting a home equity loan: Unlike refinancing, home equity loans are a second loan on top of the existing mortgage you already have. The amount of money your lender is willing to give you depends on how much equity you have in your home. How do you find out how much equity you have in your home? You guessed it, you need an appraisal.
- Applying for other loans: Some homeowners use their homes as collateral for personal loans, etc. In order to get the loan, they need to know how much your home is worth. In almost all cases they will require an appraisal from a professional.
- Appeal property taxes: In Texas, you can use an appraisal to appeal your taxes. Texas property tax appeals can be filed using the form provided by the appraisal district.
Who pays for a home Appraisal cost?
The person buying the home is typically the one paying for the appraisal. If you don’t know how to find a reputable appraiser, chances are you can get a contact from your lender or a real estate agent.
Where to find an appraiser in Houston
You can find an appraiser through your realtor, lender, friend, neighbor, or a quick Google search in your area. Since appraisers have to be registered in their state. The government maintains a national registry at www.asc.gov/National-Registries