The appraisal and the title search are two completely separate processes, although they are both necessary before you can close on a new home or refinance a current one. The appraisal is a detailed assessment of the home's market value, and it usually takes only one day or so. The title search is a search for any liens or claims of ownership that could complicate the deal, and it can take anywhere from one day to a few weeks.
Consider also: Money Myth: Buying a House is Better Than Renting
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Purpose of Home Appraisals
When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will order a home appraisal to determine the house's current market value. The lender wants to avoid giving you a mortgage for more than the house is really worth, so the appraiser's job is to assess whether the proposed deal reflects the current value of the property.
A home appraisal and a home inspection are two different things. You can hire a home inspector to look over the house and find any problems that might lead you to reconsider your offer. The appraiser doesn't look for this type of problem. Instead, the appraiser assesses the location, age, condition and special features of the house, factors in any improvements to the property, then compares the proposed mortgage to the selling price of comparable homes in the area.
Home Appraisal Timeline
The appraiser's inspection can take as little as 15 minutes, but may take a few hours if there are a number of factors to consider, including the size and age of the home. After the appraiser compares the house to similar properties, the appraisal report usually takes just a few hours to write up. However, complex cases can take much longer – weeks or even months.
The appraisal for a Federal Housing Administration loan is more complex than for a conventional loan, as the appraiser checks for any health or safety concerns as well as for home value. However, it should still take less than one week. The appraisal for a loan from the Veterans Administration takes between five and 10 days, because the VA has an extensive list of requirements for all VA-financed homes.
Consider also: What Does a House Appraisal Consist Of?
Purpose of Title Searches
A title examiner can help you find any issue that could affect the proposed deal before it becomes a major problem for you. You don't want to find out at closing that there's a lien on the house, an unpaid tax bill or another person who claims to be the real owner of the property.
You can conduct a title search yourself by going to the county recorder's office, the local courts and the local tax office and asking them for all their records on the property. However, a title search company is in a better position to find all the relevant information.
Title Search Timeline
Title examiners usually offer different packages, depending on your needs and your budget. Most title searches take three to five business days to complete, but the chain of title research can take longer, as can any title search in a remote location. Title examiners are usually willing to expedite the search if you're on a deadline, but you may have to pay extra. Call your title search company to find out its policy on rush orders.
Consider also: Buying a Home Timeline: What You Need to Know