How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Appraisal?

Quick Answer

1–2 weeks is the typical timeline from when your lender orders an appraisal to when the completed report is delivered. The physical inspection of the property takes 30–60 minutes for a standard single-family home. After the inspection, the appraiser needs 3–10 business days to research comparable sales, analyze the data, and prepare the written report.

The Appraisal Process Timeline

Step	Timeframe	What Happens
Lender orders appraisal	Day 1	Lender submits order through an appraisal management company (AMC)
Appraiser assigned	1–5 days	AMC finds a licensed appraiser in your area; scheduling depends on availability
On-site inspection	30–60 minutes	Appraiser visits the property, measures square footage, notes condition, takes photos
Comparable sales research	1–3 days	Appraiser researches 3–6 recent comparable sales within the area
Report preparation	2–5 days	Appraiser writes the report, makes adjustments, and submits to the AMC
AMC quality review	1–2 days	AMC reviews report for errors, compliance, and completeness
Report delivered to lender	Same day as AMC approval	Lender receives the report and shares findings with the borrower

Factors That Cause Delays

• Appraiser shortage: Rural areas and hot markets often have fewer available appraisers, adding 1–2 weeks to scheduling.
• Complex properties: Multi-unit buildings, historic homes, large acreage, or unique properties require more research time.
• Seasonal demand: Spring and summer home-buying season creates longer wait times.
• Revision requests: If the lender or AMC identifies issues in the report, revisions add 3–7 days.
• Access issues: Inability to schedule the inspection due to tenant or homeowner availability.
• Insufficient comparable sales: In areas with few recent transactions, the appraiser must search wider and make more adjustments.

FHA vs. Conventional Appraisals

Feature	FHA Appraisal	Conventional Appraisal
Purpose	Value + minimum property standards	Primarily market value
Timeline	Same (1–2 weeks)	Same (1–2 weeks)
Property requirements	Stricter (safety, security, soundness)	Fewer property condition requirements
Peeling paint	Must be addressed if pre-1978 home	Usually not flagged
Handrails, water heater, utilities	Must be functional	Less scrutiny
Appraisal validity	120 days (extendable to 240)	120 days typically
Appraisal sticks with property	Yes, for 120 days (cannot switch lenders easily)	No, new appraisal with new lender

FHA appraisals do not take longer to complete, but they are more likely to require repairs before closing, which can delay the overall process.

How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

To help ensure a smooth and accurate appraisal:

• Provide access: Make sure all areas of the home are accessible, including the attic, basement, and crawl space.
• Complete minor repairs: Fix leaky faucets, broken windows, missing handrails, and chipped paint.
• Prepare a list of improvements: Document recent upgrades (new roof, HVAC, kitchen renovation) with dates and costs.
• Clean and declutter: While cleanliness does not affect appraised value directly, it creates a positive impression and makes the inspection easier.
• Ensure utilities are on: Appraisers need to test systems (HVAC, water, electrical).
• Provide comparable sales: Share recent sales of similar homes in the neighborhood that support your expected value.

How Much Does an Appraisal Cost?

• Standard single-family home: $350–$600, depending on location and property complexity.
• Multi-family (2–4 units): $500–$900.
• Rush orders: Some appraisers charge an additional $75–$200 for expedited turnaround.
• FHA appraisals: Typically the same cost as conventional but may include additional inspection fees if repairs are flagged.
• Who pays: The borrower pays the appraisal fee, usually at the time of order or at closing.

What Happens If the Appraisal Is Low

• Renegotiate the price: Ask the seller to lower the purchase price to match the appraised value.
• Challenge the appraisal: Request a "reconsideration of value" with additional comparable sales data.
• Make up the difference: Pay the gap between the appraised value and purchase price out of pocket.
• Walk away: If your contract includes an appraisal contingency, you can cancel without penalty.
• Order a second appraisal: Some lenders allow a second appraisal, though this adds cost and time.