Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an Appraisal?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. It can also be a stressful process, with lots of moving parts and professionals involved.

Realtors help connect buyers and sellers, mortgage companies provide financing, and lawyers make sure everything is legally sound—including making sure the title transfers properly to the new owner.

But one big question remains: Is the asking price actually fair? When making such an important purchase, you want to be sure you’re paying a price that reflects the home’s true value.

That’s where an appraisal comes in. An appraisal gives both buyers and sellers an unbiased, professional estimate of a property’s market value. Appraisers assess the home based on objective factors, helping to determine whether the price makes sense for both sides.

The Appraisal Process

A real estate appraisal starts with a detailed look at the property. The appraiser visits the home to confirm key details, like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the type of windows, and the condition of the roof. They also evaluate the overall state of the property to make sure it meets buyer expectations. If existing records aren’t reliable, they may also measure the square footage to ensure accuracy.

During the inspection, the appraiser takes note of anything—good or bad—that could impact the home’s value.

After the on-site visit, the appraiser moves on to the next step: determining the home’s market value. This is done using different methods, including the cost approach and the sales comparison approach, to provide a well-rounded estimate of what the property is truly worth. This is all presented in a single document known as the appraisal.

Contact

Hours

Office hours:

8:00am-5:00pm
Monday – Friday

Closed weekends
and stat holidays.

Environmentally Conscious

A FAST APPRAISAL SERVICE (AFAST) operates as a virtual office to minimize our carbon footprint and reduce environmental impact. Unless otherwise requested by the client, all communications—including the delivery of appraisal reports—are handled digitally. While AFAST primarily works virtually, we recognize that some situations may require in-person meetings to discuss complex assignments or address specific client needs. We are happy to meet clients at their place of business or at a mutually convenient location.