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Georgia Valuation Source

Georgia Valuation Source

Residential Appraisal Experts

Appraisal Basics

What Does an Appraiser Look For?

A walkthrough of what actually gets documented during a residential appraisal inspection.

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Appraisal Basics4 min read

Most homeowners picture an appraisal inspection as some version of a home inspection — but the two serve very different purposes. An appraiser isn't checking for code compliance or safety hazards; they're documenting the specific characteristics that inform an opinion of market value.

What Gets Documented

Size & Layout

Gross living area, room count, floor plan flow, and how efficiently the space is used relative to similar homes.

Condition & Quality

Overall upkeep, age relative to condition, quality of construction and finishes, and any deferred maintenance.

Systems & Upgrades

HVAC, roof, plumbing, and electrical systems' age and condition, plus notable renovations or additions with approximate dates.

Site Characteristics

Lot size, topography, views, easements, and any influences from the immediate surroundings.

What an Appraiser Generally Isn't Evaluating

Furniture, décor, or staging choices
General clutter (unless it prevents access to inspect a space)
Personal belongings or how 'move-in ready' the home feels emotionally
Minor cosmetic preferences that don't affect functional condition

From Inspection to Opinion of Value

Everything documented on-site feeds directly into the next phase of the assignment: selecting and adjusting comparable sales to reflect how your property's specific characteristics compare to what's actually sold in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not directly — an appraiser evaluates the property's physical characteristics and condition, not how tidy it looks on inspection day. That said, excessive clutter that blocks access to a room, attic, or mechanical system can make it harder to inspect and document accurately.

Generally no — an appraisal reflects the property's condition as of the inspection date. If you're mid-renovation, let the appraiser know your timeline; some assignments can be based on 'as-completed' plans, but that's a distinct type of assignment.

Typically yes, to the extent reasonably accessible — appraisers generally need to observe all rooms and major systems to support an accurate opinion of condition and layout.

Point them out and, if you have them, share documentation (permits, receipts, before/after photos) — this helps the appraiser account for improvements that might not be obvious on a walkthrough alone.

Location and market area characteristics are considered as part of the broader market analysis and comparable selection, but an appraiser evaluates the property within its actual market context rather than personal opinions about neighborhoods.

Continue Learning

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