Key Takeaways:
- Standard timeline: A typical home appraisal takes about 7 to 10 business days from the time the lender orders it until the final report is ready. While the physical inspection of the home only lasts 30 to 60 minutes, the appraiser needs several days to research data and write the report.
- Factors that cause delays: Unique properties and rural homes often take longer because it is harder to find similar sales nearby. Government-backed loans like FHA require stricter safety checks that can also slow down the process compared to standard conventional loans.
- Closing expectations: You cannot close on your home the moment the appraisal is finished. The lender’s underwriting team needs 24 to 48 hours to review the value, so you should plan to close the loan about 5 to 7 days after the appraisal is accepted.
After you have found the house and signed the contract, you will have to wait for one person to validate the appraiser.
How long does a home appraisal take? It is the most common question we get once an offer is accepted. In a standard market, the entire cycle usually takes one to two weeks. This covers the time from when the lender orders it to when the final report hits the underwriter’s desk.
This timeline depends on property complexity, local appraiser availability, and the loan program you chose. A rural home in Northern Michigan will take longer than a tract home in a Los Angeles suburb.
Understand that “how long” actually refers to three different things. There is the duration of the inspection itself. There is the time it takes to write the report. And there is the time from appraisal approval to the closing table.
We will break down every step below so you know exactly what to expect.
Definition:
- A home appraisal is a professional report that tells the bank exactly how much a home is worth. Lenders require this step to ensure they are not loaning you more money than the property’s true value. An independent appraiser visits the house to inspect its condition and then compares it to similar homes that have recently sold nearby to calculate the final price.
Quick Links:
- How Long Does A Home Appraisal Take Overall
- What Is The Home Appraisal Process
- When Is An Appraisal Ordered In The Loan Process
- Home Appraisal Timeline For Buyers
- Purchase Appraisal Vs Refinance Appraisal Timeline
- FHA Appraisal Vs Conventional Appraisal Timing
- How Long After Appraisal To Close On Your Home
- How Long Is A Home Appraisal Good For
- Appraisal Delays And How To Avoid Them
- Desktop Appraisal And Drive-By Appraisal Options
- What To Expect During A Home Appraisal Visit
- Appraisal Turn Times In California And Michigan
- Talk To ID Mortgage About Your Appraisal Timeline
- FAQs
How Long Does A Home Appraisal Take Overall
If you want the short answer, plan for 7 to 10 business days. This is the typical turnaround for the mortgage appraisal process in a healthy market.
Here is the reality of the timeline.
- The Appointment: How long does a house appraisal take when the appraiser is actually on-site? Usually 30 to 60 minutes. They measure, take photos, and leave. It is fast.
- The Report: This is where the time goes. The appraiser must drive back, pull comparable sales (comps), make adjustments for square footage or condition, and upload the file through a dedicated portal. This often takes 3 to 5 business days after the visit.
- The Review: The lender does not just accept the PDF. An internal team or an automated system checks it for errors.
Complex properties skew these numbers. If you are buying a custom home with no similar sales nearby, the appraiser needs more time to justify the value.
Pro Tip:
- Don’t let the appraiser guess about your upgrades. Leave a printed list of recent improvements (new roof, updated HVAC, remodeled kitchen) on the counter. Include the dates and the approximate cost. This helps the appraiser justify a higher value quickly without needing to call you for details later.
Read more: How much does an appraisal cost?
What Is The Home Appraisal Process
The home appraisal process is a risk assessment for the bank. You pay for it, but the appraiser works for the lender. Their job is to prove the home is worth the money we are lending you.
It starts when the lender sends a request to an Appraisal Management Company (AMC). The AMC assigns an independent appraiser. This “firewall” exists to prevent loan officers from influencing the value.
Mortgage Appraisal Process In Simple Steps
- Request: You go under contract (purchase) or apply (refinance).
- Order: The lender sends the order to the AMC.
- Schedule: The appraiser contacts the seller or agent to pick a time.
- Visit: The appraiser inspects the property.
- Research: The appraiser compares your home to recent sales.
- Delivery: The report is sent to the lender.
- Underwriting: The lender clears the value or asks for corrections.
Read more: Difference between assessed value and appraised value
When Is An Appraisal Ordered In The Loan Process
We do not order the appraisal the second you call us. In a purchase, we wait until the seller accepts your offer and you have signed the initial loan disclosures.
This protects your wallet. If the home inspection reveals a cracked foundation and you back out, you do not want to be out another $600 for an appraisal you didn’t need.
Once you give the green light to proceed, we will order it immediately. This is usually 3 to 5 days after your offer is accepted.
When Does Appraisal Happen When Buying A Home
For a standard 30-day escrow, the appraisal happens during the second week.
Ideally, the inspection is done first. You confirm the house is solid. Then the appraiser goes out. In hot markets like parts of California, these timelines compress. We might order the appraisal on Day 1 to meet a 14-day closing guarantee.
Read more: Documents you need before your appraisal and closing
Home Appraisal Timeline For Buyers
Visualizing the calendar helps reduce stress. Here is a typical home appraisal timeline for a borrower with a 30-day contract.
- Day 1-3: Contract signed. Disclosures sent. You pay for the appraisal.
- Day 4: Lender places the order with the AMC.
- Day 5-7: Appraiser contacts the listing agent and schedules the visit.
- Day 7-10: Inspection happens. (The physical “how long does a house appraisal take” part).
- Day 12-14: Appraiser submits the report.
- Day 15: Lender reviews and clears the appraisal condition.
Weekends and holidays will push these dates out.
Mortgage Appraisal Timeline For A Typical Purchase
If you need to close fast, every day counts.
The most common delay occurs between Day 4 and Day 7. If the listing agent doesn’t call the appraiser back, or if the seller denies access because they have guests, the clock keeps ticking.
We monitor this gap closely. If we don’t see an appointment set within 48 hours of the order, we start making calls.
Read more: Why working with a mortgage broker can help keep your home appraisal timeline on track
Purchase Appraisal Vs Refinance Appraisal Timeline
A purchase appraisal and a refinance appraisal are the same report, but they are treated differently.
- Purchase: High priority. There is a contract, a moving truck, and a seller waiting. Appraisers prioritize these orders because missing a deadline can kill the deal.
- Refinance: Lower priority. If interest rates drop and everyone rushes to refinance, appraiser queues fill up. A purchase order will skip the line ahead of a refinance order. This means a refinance appraisal might take 3 weeks in a busy month, while a purchase takes 10 days.
Pro Tip:
- Because refinance appraisals take longer, be careful with your interest rate lock. Ask your loan officer for a 45-day or 60-day lock instead of the standard 30-day lock. This ensures your low rate doesn’t expire while you are stuck waiting in the appraiser’s queue.
Read more: Cash-out refinance that also requires a new appraisal
FHA Appraisal Vs Conventional Appraisal Timing
Government loans add a layer of scrutiny.
- Conventional: The appraiser looks for value and major safety issues (holes in the roof). It is straightforward.
- FHA: The appraiser acts as a secondary safety inspector. They check for chipping paint (lead risk), handrails on stairs, and proper window egress. If they find chipping paint, they flag it. The seller must fix it. The appraiser must go back out to verify the fix. This “final inspection” adds days or weeks to the timeline.
Pro Tip:
- Do your own “peeling paint” inspection before the appraiser arrives. Walk around the exterior of the house and look at the window frames and fascia boards. If you see any chipping paint on a home built before 1978, scrape and paint it now. This 10-minute fix can save you a 2-week delay for a re-inspection.
If you are using an FHA loan, ensure the house is move-in ready before the appraiser arrives.
Read more:
- Conventional loan options in California
- FHA loans in California and their appraisal requirements
- VA home loans and VA appraisal timelines
How Long After Appraisal To Close On Your Home
You got the email. “Appraisal Received. Value is good.” Can you close tomorrow?
No.
Once the report is in, the lender’s collateral underwriter reviews it. This takes 24 to 48 hours. If the report is clean, your loan moves to “Final Approval” or “Clear to Close.”
You also need to account for the Closing Disclosure (CD) waiting period. By law, you must acknowledge the CD three days before you sign final papers.
Realistic gap: Expect to close 5 to 7 business days after the final appraisal report is accepted by the lender.
Read more: How appraisal timing affects your mortgage rate lock
How Long Is A Home Appraisal Good For
Appraisals have an expiration date. The market changes. A value established in January might not hold true in June.
Most lenders follow Fannie Mae guidelines. This means the report is valid for 120 days (4 months) from the date of the appraiser’s inspection. If your closing drags on longer than that, you will likely need a new appraisal or a “recertification of value,” which costs less but still takes time.
How Long Are Appraisals Good For By Loan Type
These are the standard validity windows, though individual lenders may have stricter “overlays.”
- Conventional: 120 days. (Can sometimes be extended to 12 months with an update).
- FHA: 120 days. (Can be extended to 240 days with specific updates).
- VA: 6 months.
Always ask us about your specific expiration date if you anticipate a long escrow.
Appraisal Delays And How To Avoid Them
We see deals stall for preventable reasons. Here are the most common causes of appraisal delays:
- Complexity: A log cabin on 20 acres with no recent sales nearby. The appraiser has to drive 50 miles to find a comp.
- Access: The seller has a tenant who refuses to open the door.
- Repairs: The water heater isn’t strapped (a common California issue). The appraiser calls for a repair. You fix it. They have to come back.
How to avoid them:
Check the simple stuff. Are the smoke detectors installed? Is the water heater double-strapped? Is the access code correct? If you are the buyer, ask your agent to verify these before the appraiser drives out.
Read more: Who pays closing costs (including the appraisal fee)
Desktop Appraisal And Drive-By Appraisal Options
Technology is shifting the answer to “how long does a home appraisal take?”
In some cases, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac will accept a Desktop Appraisal or a Drive-By Appraisal.
- Desktop: The appraiser uses tax records, MLS photos, and floor plans. They never step foot on the property.
- Drive-By: They take exterior photos from the street but do not enter.
Desktop Appraisal Vs Drive-By Appraisal Timing
These are significantly faster. A desktop appraisal can sometimes be completed in 48 to 72 hours because the logistics of scheduling a visit are removed.
However, you cannot just choose this. The automated underwriting system (AUS) determines if the property and borrower are eligible. It is most common on high-equity refinances or specific purchase programs with large down payments.
What To Expect During A Home Appraisal Visit
Borrowers often get nervous about the visit. They treat it like a white-glove inspection.
Relax. The appraiser does not care if your bed is unmade. They care about the structure. They will walk through every room, measure the outside, and take photos of the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and any detached structures.
Ensure all areas are accessible. If you have a padlock on the shed or the garage, unlock it. If the appraiser cannot see inside, they may have to come back. That costs you money and time.
Pro Tip:
- Double-check your attic and crawl space access. Appraisers satisfy FHA and VA requirements by taking a “head and shoulders” photo of these spaces. If the scuttle hole is blocked by a heavy dresser or painted shut, the appraiser cannot finish the job, and you will be charged a trip fee for them to come back.
What Happens During A Home Appraisal Inside The Home
Inside, the appraiser is looking for condition and quality.
- Flooring: Is it carpet or hardwood?
- Kitchen: Granite counters or laminate?
- Condition: Are there water stains on the ceiling? Holes in the drywall?
- Systems: Does the furnace turn on?
They are validating the data. If the MLS says “newly renovated,” the appraiser verifies it actually looks new.
Read more: Signs your mortgage might be denied if the appraisal is an issue
Appraisal Turn Times In California And Michigan
We operate in both states, and the timelines differ.
- California: In dense areas like Los Angeles or Orange County, there are thousands of appraisers. Turn times are fast, often under 7 days. In rural Northern California, it can take longer.
- Michigan: Metro Detroit moves quickly. However, if you are buying in the Upper Peninsula or rural counties, appraisers are scarce. We often see 2 to 3 week turn times in these areas simply because the appraiser has to cover a massive geographic territory.
Read more: Top Los Angeles suburbs for homebuyers
Talk To ID Mortgage About Your Appraisal Timeline
Timelines are not just days on a calendar. They are the difference between getting the keys and losing the rate lock.
At ID Mortgage, we track local turn times weekly. We know which AMCs are performing and which ones are lagging. Whether you are buying a condo in San Diego or a lake house in Michigan, we can give you a realistic estimate before we even order the file.
Submit your request or upload your documents. Let’s get the clock started.
FAQs
How long does a home appraisal take if the property is unique?
You should budget for about 2 to 3 weeks. Since unique or luxury homes don’t have many “twins” nearby, the appraiser has to widen their search radius significantly to find good data, and that digging simply takes more time than a standard subdivision home.
How long does an appraisal take if the appraiser is backed up?
During crazy busy months, we’ve seen timelines stretch to 3 weeks. If you are in a tight spot, ask us about a “rush fee.” It costs extra, but it usually succeeds in moving your file to the top of the pile.
Can I speed up my home appraisal?
You can definitely help things along. The biggest trick is ensuring the utilities are actually on and that the seller acts quickly when the appraiser calls to schedule. Nothing slows a deal down like an appraiser playing phone tag with a listing agent.
How long does a home appraisal take for a refinance?
Plan for at least 2 weeks, sometimes longer. Appraisers naturally prioritize purchase deals because there’s a family waiting to move in, so refinances often take a back seat in the queue until the urgent deadlines are met.
What happens if the appraisal is lower than the purchase price?
Don’t panic, but you will have a decision to make. You can ask the seller to drop the price to match the value, or you might choose to cover the gap with extra cash at closing. If neither side budges, you can typically walk away without penalty as long as your contract still has an active appraisal contingency.
