Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, one crucial step in the real estate process is the real estate appraisal. It’s the moment when an independent, certified professional evaluates a property to determine its market value. But how long does that process actually take—and what’s happening behind the scenes while you’re waiting?

If you’re on a tight deadline to close a deal or simply trying to understand the timeline, this blog will walk you through every stage of a house appraisal: how long it takes, what factors affect the timeline, and what to expect at each step.

Why Do Appraisals Matter?

Before diving into the timeline, it’s important to understand the purpose of a real estate appraisal. In most real estate transactions—particularly those involving a mortgage—a lender requires an appraisal to confirm that the loan amount doesn’t exceed the home’s value. This ensures the lender isn’t lending more money than the property is worth, reducing their risk in the event of foreclosure.

Appraisals also help:

• Buyers ensure they’re not overpaying
• Sellers justify their asking price
• Homeowners refinance their mortgage at accurate loan-to-value ratios

Now let’s explore how long this vital step takes and why.

The Average Timeframe for a Real Estate Appraisal

The entire appraisal process typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the time it’s ordered to the moment the report is delivered. However, this timeline can vary depending on multiple factors such as property complexity, appraiser availability, and the type of loan.

Here’s a general breakdown:

Step-by-Step Timeline of a Home Appraisal

1. Appraisal Is Ordered (Day 1)

2. Scheduling the Appointment (Days 1–3)

Once assigned, the appraiser contacts the seller, real estate agent, or homeowner to schedule the on-site inspection. Scheduling is often dependent on availability—for both the appraiser and the party granting access to the home.

Hot markets or rural areas may see longer scheduling delays due to fewer appraisers or high demand.

3. On-Site Home Inspection (Day 3–5)

The physical inspection usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size and condition of the home. During this visit, the appraiser:

• Measures the property and verifies square footage
• Takes photographs of all major rooms and features
• Inspects interior and exterior condition
• Notes upgrades, additions, or repairs
• Assesses curb appeal, layout, and functionality

Larger or more unique homes can take longer to assess thoroughly.

4. Research and Data Analysis (Days 4–7)

After inspecting the property, the appraiser returns to their office to conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA). This involves:

• Reviewing recent sales of similar properties (comps)
• Making adjustments based on differences in features
• Analyzing market conditions and neighborhood trends
• Factoring in property upgrades, age, and condition

This part is highly analytical and often takes 1 to 3 days depending on property complexity and data availability.

5. Report Writing and Submission (Days 7–10)

Once all the data is compiled, the appraiser prepares a Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) or a similar standardized form. This document includes:

• Property description
• Maps, photos, and measurements
• Comps and market data
• Final opinion of value
• Supporting rationale and adjustments

Before delivery, the report may undergo a review process by the AMC or lender to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Factors That Can Delay the Appraisal

Several variables can extend the timeline beyond the standard 7–10 business days:

📍 Market Volume

In busy seasons (spring/summer), appraisers may have a backlog of appointments, pushing inspections and reports further out.

🏡 Property Complexity

Homes with unique features, large acreage, mixed-use zoning, or recent unpermitted additions require more time to evaluate and compare.

🌍 Location

In rural areas, fewer comparable sales and limited appraiser availability can cause scheduling delays.

📄 Documentation Issues

Missing permits, incomplete renovation records, or lack of access to parts of the property (e.g., locked rooms, crawlspaces) can slow down the report process.

🧑‍💻 AMC or Lender Review Delays

After the appraiser submits the report, the AMC or lender may request clarification or revisions—especially if they notice inconsistencies or need additional comps.

How to Speed Up the Appraisal Process

While some delays are unavoidable, these tips can help you move things along:

✅ Be Prompt and Flexible with Scheduling

Respond to the appraiser quickly and be available to give them access to all parts of the home.

✅ Prepare the Property

Clean the home, make all areas accessible, and handle minor repairs before the inspection.

✅ Create a Property Fact Sheet

Prepare a list of updates, renovations, and repairs with dates and costs. Include permit documentation if applicable.

✅ Share Relevant Comps

If your agent or lender has better comps than those found online, they can be shared with the appraiser during the review process (but not to influence judgment).

How Long After the Appraisal to Closing?

Once the appraisal is complete and the report is submitted, here’s what typically follows:

• Appraisal at or above offer price: Loan continues through underwriting, and you could close in 1–2 weeks.
• Appraisal comes in low: Negotiations may delay closing by 1–2 weeks or more, depending on whether the price is adjusted, the buyer brings more cash, or a second appraisal is ordered.

If the appraisal is part of a refinance, closing can often happen within 1–5 days after report approval—since no buyer/seller negotiation is needed.

What If You’re Still Waiting?

If you’ve been waiting longer than 10 business days and still haven’t received your appraisal report:

• Contact your lender or mortgage broker to check the status.
• Ask whether the appraiser has completed the inspection.
• Find out whether there were any review issues or report revisions requested.

Lenders usually have systems to track every step of the appraisal process, so they can provide updates on what’s holding things up.

Are There Faster Appraisal Alternatives?

In some cases—especially for refinances or in low-risk markets—lenders may offer desktop appraisals or automated valuation models (AVMs). These use digital tools and public data to estimate value without a full inspection.

However, these are only used under specific conditions and are rarely accepted for traditional home purchases.

Conclusion

So, how long does a house appraisal take? On average, expect about 7 to 10 business days from the order date to receiving the final report. While the inspection itself might take only an hour or two, the full process involves scheduling, research, analysis, and compliance review.

Understanding the timeline and how to prepare can help you minimize delays and stay on track for closing. If you’re in a hot market or buying a unique property, give yourself a little cushion in case things take longer than expected.

Coming Up Next:

Once the appraisal is done, the finish line is in sight. But what happens next? Our final blog in this series will explain how fast closing happens after appraisal and how to prepare for those final days before you get the keys.