Get matched with top real estate agents in Clayton, NM

A home inspection and a home appraisal serve different purposes. A home inspection is a visual evaluation of the property's overall condition to identify any structural problems or issues with major systems like electrical and plumbing. Its main goal is to assess the home's long-term safety and determine if repairs are needed before a sale. In contrast, a home appraisal is a thorough evaluation of the property and its surrounding area to determine its current fair market value. This value helps set the asking price and guides the mortgage company’s lending decision. The average cost for both a home inspection and a home appraisal is around $350 each.

In most cases, no, a seller cannot negotiate after an appraisal if they signed an offer agreement. The only exception would be if there was a contingency in the offer that stated that the offer acceptance was contingent on the appraisal amount. If that’s the case, the seller can negotiate a higher sale price to match the appraised amount. If the appraised amount comes in below the sale price, both sides have to agree to negotiate, but there may be no other option since the buyer’s lender might not approve the higher amount.

Ensure the property is clean, provide access to all areas, and supply relevant documents, such as recent upgrades or tax records.

No, the appraisal value comes from an appraiser and is a professional opinion of value based on property location and condition, while the market value is determined solely by what buyers are willing to pay for your home. Lenders normally use appraised values to ensure they’re staying within target loan-to-value (LTV) ratios—the market value is simply what the home sells for. Appraised value can sit above or below market value.