Appraised Value

Appraised value is the property's value conclusion as stated in the appraisal report.

Appraised value is the property’s value conclusion as stated in the appraisal report.

Why It Matters

Appraised value matters because it is one of the key numbers the lender uses when deciding how much leverage the property can support. If the appraised value comes in below expectations, the financing structure may need to change.

It also matters because borrowers often assume the contract price automatically becomes the value the lender will use. That is not always true. The lender is generally focused on supported value, not just on the negotiated price.

The term also matters because a lower appraised value can affect more than approval. It can change Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV), mortgage insurance needs, pricing, and the amount of cash the borrower has to bring in.

Where It Appears in the Borrower Process

Borrowers encounter appraised value after the appraisal is completed and the file moves deeper into underwriting.

The number becomes especially important before Closing because it can affect Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV), pricing, and whether a transaction needs to be renegotiated.

This is often the moment when the borrower learns that the appraisal is not abstract paperwork. The value conclusion may control how much the lender is willing to advance, even when the buyer is personally well qualified.

In repair-heavy, renovation, or construction files, borrowers may also see whether the value is stated as an As-Is Value or an As-Completed Value. That distinction can change what the lender is willing to rely on.

Practical Example

A home goes under contract for $500,000, but the appraised value comes in at $485,000. The lender may base its leverage calculations on the lower supported value rather than the higher contract price, leaving the buyer to renegotiate or bring in more cash.

How It Differs From Nearby Terms

Appraised value differs from Market Value because market value is the broader value concept, while appraised value is the appraiser’s concluded figure in a specific report.

It also differs from Assessed Value, which is used mainly for property-tax purposes rather than mortgage underwriting.

It also differs from Appraisal. The appraisal is the full process and report, while appraised value is the single number the report concludes.

Knowledge Check

  1. Why can appraised value change the amount of cash a borrower needs at closing? Because the lender may size the loan from the lower supported value instead of the higher contract price.
  2. Is appraised value the same thing as the appraisal itself? No. The appraisal is the report and process, while appraised value is the value conclusion inside that report.
Revised on Saturday, May 23, 2026