With the median sale price of a single-family home in Florida coming in at about $395,000, both buyers and sellers in the Sunshine State want the most value for their money. Enter an appraiser, a licensed, independent professional who assesses a home’s market value. Here, we’ll break down the average cost of a home appraisal in Florida, along with expert insights about what can increase or decrease home value. A home appraisal is a professional opinion of home value, determined by a licensed and independent appraiser. A home appraisal can reassure buyers (and their lenders) that an asking price is appropriate for the property. For sellers, an appraisal serves as a valuable guide to setting that price and entering the market with a solid sense of a property’s worth. “The lender usually requires an appraisal to make sure that the asset is worth what they’re lending. But I think it’s good for the buyer also to know that the property is worth what they’re paying for it,” says Brenda Bianchi, a Largo, Florida, real estate agent of 40 years who works with over 76% more single-family homes than the average agent in her market. “If a seller does an appraisal before they put the property on the market, then they have a good idea of what the property value is.” A seasoned real estate agent bases an asking price on a home’s features but also on how well it stacks up against comparable properties, or comps. A home appraisal goes a little deeper than comps, taking exact measurements and making detailed observations about the home’s features, such as finished square footage, adds Patricia Pringle, an appraiser of over 25 years who runs Pringle Appraisal Services in Largo. Although most of Pringle’s clients are banks, she also conducts appraisals for any individuals who need a home’s value for legal reasons, such as people going through a divorce, filing for bankruptcy, or settling an estate. The average cost of a home appraisal in Florida runs between $375 and $500, but Pringle says rates vary depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the appraisal. “If it’s a 4,000-square-foot house, my fee goes up because my time goes up,” she says. But for typical homes, Florida’s appraisal cost range is comparable to much of the country. Estimates for the national average home appraisal fee range from $313 to $500. Now let’s look at the variables that can increase or decrease the cost of a home appraisal in Florida. Much like any service, the cost of a home appraisal in Florida is based on the amount of time it takes to complete the job, as well as basic supply and demand economics. As Pringle notes, the time and effort it takes to complete an appraisal are mostly based on the size and complexity of the subject property. Some examples of complex properties include: A house in a remote location will require the appraiser to drive a longer distance to access it, which can add to the overall cost. If you need a rush on an appraisal, the appraiser will often charge for that as well. On the economic side of the equation, the busier appraisers are, the more they can increase their fees — and Florida continues to be an attractive market for buyers. In fact, Florida ranks as one of the fastest-growing states in the country. The Sunshine State’s population grew by almost 19% from 2010 to 2023, making it the eighth-fastest percentage rate of growth in the U.S. This ongoing demand can impact appraisal costs (and home prices), especially in active housing markets such as South Florida. Other factors that can influence the cost of a home appraisal in Florida include: In addition to these factors, competitive pricing can also play a role. Different appraisers charge various fees for their work. Weighing these factors above can help you determine if your property will be on the high or low side of Florida’s estimated home appraisal cost range. An appraiser visits a property — tape measure and camera in hand — to note a home’s overall condition, record its square footage, evaluate recent upgrades, and check out its curb appeal. Pringle says she takes interior photos for every room and exterior photos, as well as complete exterior measurements. Then, using the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, she’ll document her research and reasoning for her opinion of value using a Uniform Residential Appraisal Report. She’ll also follow any lenders’ guidelines. “Lots of lenders want me to look at (at least) two sales under ninety days. That was easy when sales were blowing up, but it’s not so easy anymore,” she says. Although Pringle likes to look at comps from agents, she’ll also pull her own comparable properties, making sure they’re of the same age, condition, and subdivision, if possible. She’ll look within a one-mile radius if not. “There’s no way I’m going over a mile because you’re probably cherry-picking for value,” she says. She also ensures that the number of bedrooms and baths are the same, and that the square footage among the properties she compares doesn’t vary more than 25%. “In the beginning, we’ve got apples and oranges, and after we make our adjustments, we get all apples.” »Learn more: A Homebuyer’s Guide to the Home Appraisal Process Besides a property’s basics, a home appraisal in Florida also factors in amenities and renovations. For instance, a property might have an “effective year built” that’s more recent if it’s undergone a major overhaul, Bianchi says. All-wood cabinetry and hurricane-proof windows are two improvements that she’s noticed heighten value. Because of state and national rebates and incentives, some homeowners have installed energy-efficient appliances or solar panels, which can increase a home’s value — but only so much. “If you put in $25,000 to redo the kitchen, it’s not dollar for dollar,” Pringle says. “It’s market reaction.” Other considerations that influence cost include the school district and the location. “A lot of Realtors will say, ‘OK, this is a waterfront home,’ but it’s a retention pond,” Bianchi says. “That doesn’t have the same value as homes on the Gulf (of Mexico) or homes on the Intracoastal Waterway,” such as those in Seminole, Treasure Island, and Indian Rocks Beach. »Learn more: A Buyer’s Guide on How to Increase Home Value for Appraisals Both Bianchi and Pringle agree that unpermitted rooms and unfinished square footage don’t have the value that some sellers expect. “A lot of people have that Florida room, where you can walk through the living room and into that lanai area, but it’s not finished to the same quality as the rest of the home,” Bianchi says. “Does it still have the metal roof? Just because you took the (sliding) doors down doesn’t make it part of that square footage.” Pringle says she encounters this often when someone has, say, a finished bathroom in the garage, but a person has to walk through the unfinished garage or an enclosed porch to access it. She can’t consider the entire space finished square footage. “You can finish a garage and attach it to the main house, but it has to be a continuous flow, and it also has to be heated and cooled,” she says. She also can’t include in her calculations anything considered personal property, such as appliances or even a hot tub if it’s not built into the ground. “Anything that is not attached to the house or built into the property is considered personal property.” »Learn more: 16 Factors That Can Hurt a Home Appraisal Obtaining a free home appraisal depends on the circumstances and what you consider an appraisal. Pringle has done a free appraisal for a friend after a death in the family, but she otherwise charges for her work. Real estate agents might offer a free comparative market analysis hoping to land a listing, but an appraiser has no such incentive. “It’s a one-time done deal,” she says. For a ballpark idea of what your home is worth, you can try a free online tool such as HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator, which pairs your answers to a handful of questions with local housing market data from several trusted sources. It’s a good starting point, but it’s data analysis, not the in-person visit an appraisal entails. »Learn more: How A Free Home Appraisal Works Who pays for an appraisal depends on who ordered it and why. In a refinancing situation, the homeowner (in this case, the borrower) typically pays for it, whereas in a home purchase, the cost goes to the buyer. In either scenario, the lender will order an appraisal through an appraisal management company (AMC). These companies provide third-party, outsourced appraisal contractors who are not affiliated with the borrower or lender. An owner who wants a pre-listing determination of value can pay for an appraisal out of pocket, as can anyone needing a home value for legal reasons, such as a divorce or settling an estate. The onsite inspection can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, plus time for the appraiser’s research and writing their report. Pringle says she can complete an appraisal in about six hours if it’s straightforward. If she has to look at more data, that can take longer. “I had a new construction townhouse that took me three days,” she says. Visit the American Society of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America, or the International Society of Appraisers to find accredited appraisers near you. Alternatively, talk with an experienced real estate agent familiar with the market, or search online. Pringle, who has appraised properties for Bianchi, says individuals find her through referrals and Google. Given its mix of aging homes and new construction, sometimes a pre-listing appraisal can bolster an asking price. “I think it’s good when you have a property that’s a little different to set a value for. I call it the white elephant,” Bianchi says. She recently worked with a client who had bought and demolished an older home in Orange Wood Highlands in Pinellas County, then built a new three-bedroom, two-bath home with a two-car garage on that lot. A pre-listing appraisal compared it to new construction instead of recent sales in the neighborhood, resulting in a sale of $50,000 above the highest comparable property. »Learn more: Should I Get an Appraisal Before Selling My House The average cost of a home appraisal in Florida might be as little as a few hundred dollars, but it can give you peace of mind about your asking price or your purchase, our experts say. Plus, an experienced agent can challenge an appraisal if the appraiser’s calculations are wildly different from the agent’s comps, such as if the appraiser is unfamiliar with the area or can’t find a permit that would increase a home’s finished square footage. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Florida, HomeLight can connect you with a top agent in your selected market who can help you navigate every aspect of a home appraisal.What is a home appraisal?
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What increases the appraised value of a home in Florida?
A lot of people have that Florida room, where you can walk through the living room and into that lanai area, but it’s not finished to the same quality as the rest of the home. Does it still have the metal roof? Just because you took the (sliding) doors down doesn’t make it part of that square footage.
What negatively affects a home appraisal in Florida?
Can a current homeowner get a free home appraisal?
Who pays for a home appraisal?
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Is a seller pre-listing appraisal worth it in Florida?
Key takeaways for Florida buyers and sellers
