🏡 What Every Buyer and Seller Should Know About the Home Appraisal Process

By Sherri Johnson, Your Show and Sell Agent

Whether you’re buying your dream home or selling your current property, one key piece of the real estate puzzle you’ll encounter is the home appraisal. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes steps that can make or break a deal—and yet, many buyers and sellers don’t fully understand how it works.

As your Show and Sell Agent with experience in everything from luxury homes to aviation lots, I’ve helped countless clients navigate this part of the process. Let’s break down the appraisal in a way that’s simple, helpful, and easy to remember.

🔍 What Is a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is an unbiased professional opinion of a property’s market value, usually required by lenders before they’ll approve a mortgage. It protects the buyer from overpaying and helps the lender confirm that the home is worth the amount of the loan.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an appraisal helps both buyers and lenders avoid financial pitfalls by ensuring the home’s value matches the price.

🛠️ What Factors Affect the Appraisal?

Appraisers evaluate several key aspects of a property, including:

Comparable Sales: Recent sales of similar homes in the area (also known as "comps")
Home Condition: The overall shape of the property—inside and out
Upgrades and Features: Improvements like new flooring, kitchen remodels, or outdoor spaces
Location: Proximity to schools, shopping, and future developments
Lot Size and Usable Land: Especially important in Parker and Palo Pinto Counties where acreage matters!

Want to dive deeper? Fannie Mae has a great guide on how appraisers evaluate homes.

⏳ How Long Does It Take?

Typically, the appraisal process takes 7-10 business days once ordered. However, in fast-paced or rural markets (like some parts of North Texas), delays can happen—so it’s smart to plan ahead.

💸 What Happens If It Comes in Low?

This is where an experienced agent (like yours truly) can really shine. If the appraisal comes in under the offer price:

Renegotiation may be needed between buyer and seller
The buyer can make up the difference in cash (not ideal, but possible)
Or the appraisal can be disputed using additional comps and documentation

Here’s a great explanation of what happens when an appraisal is lower than expected from Investopedia.

✅ How to Prepare for a Smooth Appraisal

If you’re selling your home, here are a few quick tips to help maximize your appraised value:

Clean and declutter to make a great first impression
Complete minor repairs—leaky faucets, loose cabinet doors, or chipped paint
Create a list of upgrades made to the home over the years
Ensure full access to attics, crawl spaces, garages, and outbuildings

🧭 Final Thoughts

Real estate is a journey—and appraisals are just one stop along the way. The more you understand each part of the process, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel when buying or selling your home.

Have questions about the value of your property? I’d love to offer a free market analysis or connect you with trusted local appraisers right here in Parker and Palo Pinto Counties.

Let’s make your next move the right one—reach out anytime!