CMS Home Inspection
  • Welcome
  • Your Inspection
    • Pest Inspections
    • Radon Testing
    • Mold Testing
    • Septic Inspections
    • Sewer Scope Inspections
    • Well Inspections
  • Your Report
  • Pricing
  • About
  • For Agents
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu
home inspection, appraisal, home buying, real estate

Key Differences Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection

Differences Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection

If you’re planning to buy a home, getting an appraisal and a home inspection are essential steps in the process. While both are similar – and arguably necessary – there are key differences between an appraisal and a home inspection. Here’s the breakdown of each and why they’re both important when buying a home.

Key Differences Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection

An appraisal is a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the house prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a home inspection, which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. 

Home Appraisal

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“A home purchase is typically the largest investment someone will make. Protect yourself by getting your investment appraised! An appraiser will observe the property, analyze the data, and report their findings to their client. For the typical home purchase transaction, the lender usually orders the appraisal to assist in the lender’s decision to provide funds for a mortgage.”

When you apply for a mortgage, an unbiased appraisal (which is required by the lender) is the best way to confirm the value of the home based on the sale price. Regardless of what you’re willing to pay for a house, if you’ll be using a mortgage to fund your purchase, the appraisal will help make sure the bank doesn’t loan you more than what the home is worth.

This is especially critical in today’s market where low inventory has been driving an increase in bidding wars, which can push home prices upward. When sellers are in a strong position like this, they tend to believe they can set whatever price they want for their house under the assumption that competing buyers will be willing to pay more.

However, the lender will only allow the buyer to borrow based on the home’s value. This is what helps keep home prices in check. If there’s ever any confusion or discrepancy between the appraisal and the sale price, your trusted real estate professional will help you navigate any additional negotiations in the buying process.

Home Inspection

Here’s the key difference between an appraisal and a home inspection. MSN explains:

“In simplest terms, a home appraisal determines the value of a home, while a home inspection determines the condition of a home.”

The home inspection is a way to determine the home’s current state, safety, and condition before you finalize the sale. If anything is questionable in the inspection process – like the age of the roof, the state of the HVAC system, or just about anything else – you as a buyer have the option to discuss and negotiate any potential issues or repairs with the seller before the transaction is final. Your real estate agent is a crucial expert to help you through this part of the process.

Bottom Line

An appraisal and a home inspection are critical steps when buying a home, and you don’t need to manage them by yourself. At CMS Home Inspection, we have years of experience and understand the concerns regarding owning a home in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut.

Our thorough home inspections provide the tools necessary for you to understand the structure behind any potential property, as well as the necessary repairs for you to move forward with your purchase. A quality inspection report can mean the difference between owning your dream home and buying a house that falls short.

Let’s connect today so you have expert guidance to navigate the entire home inspection process!

July 5, 2023/0 Comments/by cmshome
Tags: appraisal, home inspection, homebuyer, homebuying
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.cmshomeinspection.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/07/Differences-Between-an-Appraisal-and-a-Home-Inspection.png 423 1200 cmshome https://d1g9724afgpznt.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/05/04205003/cmshome-252x300.png cmshome2023-07-05 09:00:322023-10-07 21:28:03Key Differences Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection
You might also like
Inspect for mold in your home Protect Your Health and Home: Why You Should Inspect for Mold in Your Home
Start the New Year With a Fresh Look at Your Home Start the New Year With a Fresh Look at Your Home
Future-Proofing Your Investment: Planning for Long-Term Home Maintenance Long-Term Home Maintenance: 14 Tips for Future-Proofing Your Investment
rhode island home inspection The Importance of a Rhode Island Home Inspection: What You Need to Know
Inspecting your well The Importance of Inspecting Your Well
Radon Testing For Your Health and Safety Radon Testing For Your Health and Safety
the difference between heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers The Difference Between Heat Pumps, Furnaces, and Boilers
Common Issues Found in Older Homes: What to Look for Before Buying Common Issues Found in Older Homes: What to Look for Before Buying
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pages

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • For Agents
  • Mold Testing
  • Pest Inspections
  • Pricing
  • Radon Testing
  • Rhode Island Residential Home Inspections
  • Septic Inspections
  • Sewer Scope Inspections
  • Well Inspections
  • Your Inspection
  • Your Report

Categories

  • appraisal
  • home buying
  • home inspection
  • home maintenance
  • Homeowner Info
  • Massachusetts
  • pest inspections
  • real estate
  • Rhode Island

Archive

  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023

Make an Informed Decision for Your Future

Schedule Online

Contact Us

Phone: 401-830-0966
Email: info@cmshomeinspection.com

Serving Rhode Island and Surrounding Areas

CMS Home Inspection provides inspections throughout all of Rhode Island, Bristol, Plymouth, Norfolk, and Worcester areas of Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut.

Licensed Inspector

RI License #44163

MA License #1111

CT License #HOI.0001081

NACHI #19091235

Radon Testing Business Lic # RTB00124

Radon Analytical Service CRM Lic # CRM00051

Radon Inspector Lic # RI00199

Rhode Island Septic Inspector # 092002.

© Copyright - CMS Home Inspection | Website by Spectora Hosting
  • Link to Google
  • Link to Facebook
Link to: What to Expect from Your Home Inspection Link to: What to Expect from Your Home Inspection What to Expect from Your Home InspectionWhat to Expect from Your Home Inspection Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top