Appraisal Vs Home Inspection: What Are The Difference and Are They Needed?

Buying a home can be a huge endeavor, but it is also one of the most rewarding purchases that you will ever make in your life. When you are looking for a home, you have to take into account the neighborhood, the school district, and of course, the price. Before you purchase a home, there are some steps that your lender will ask you to take, and there is also an important process that you do well to invest in as well. An appraisal and an inspection are essential parts of the homebuying process.

It is important to note that there are big differences between these two processes, and the next few paragraphs will shed some light on these differences.

Appraisal vs Home Inspections

If you are looking into buying a new home, then there is no doubt that you have heard of a home appraisal and home inspection. New home buyers do not always know the difference between these two things. A home appraisal is something that the mortgage holder will ask you to get. Since this entity will be giving you the loan for your home, it wants to make sure that the home is valued correctly. This is a process that will take into account the pricing of similar homes nearby. Once the mortgage company is sure about the true value of your home, you can continue on with the loan approval process.

The Inspection

An inspection of the home is something that you want to do. The home inspection is a way to determine what is the health of the home. There can be several issues with a home that go unseen by the human eye. When a professional inspector comes out to the home, he or she is able to see if the home is safe and if there are any serious repairs that need to be done to the home. This inspector will check the condition of the foundation of the home, the roof, the HVAC system, and various other systems in the home. Savvy home buyers know whats the difference between appraisals and home inspections.

Which One is More Important?

In the process of buying a home, you most likely are trying to be efficient and save money. With that in mind, you may wonder which one of the two processes is more important. Since an appraisal determines the value of your home and an inspection determines the health of your home, in reality, they are both important. The mortgage company will most likely require you to get a home inspection, and as an informed buyer, you do well to get an inspection. Covid has sped up the process of buying a home in many states, and they may not require you to get an inspection, but you want to make savvy moves before making such a huge purchase. Buying a home is a huge step in your life, and you do not want to do things wrong. There are helpful real estate companies in Bucks County that can connect you with professionals who will walk you step by step through the home buying process. Your future home is out there, just take your time, and go through all of the right steps before you make the purchase.