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This is part of an ongoing series in which we answer common questions among home buyers in Washington State. Today’s question: Is a home appraisal required for home buyers in Washington? This article will explain.
When you purchase a home in Washington, do you need an appraisal? The short answer: An appraisal is usually required when a borrower uses a mortgage loan to buy a house. Buyers who pay cash don’t necessarily need an appraisal, but they can have one performed if they choose. A small percentage of home loans might qualify for an automated alternative to the traditional appraisal, which can expedite the process and save the buyer money.
Once you understand the basic purpose of a home appraisal, you’ll realize why they are almost always required for mortgage loans in Washington state.
The primary objective is to determine the current market value of the house – and also its resale potential. To accomplish this, the home appraiser will evaluate recent sales in the area that are similar to the home being purchased. The appraiser will also visit the “subject property” to see if it has any value-adding features that might put it above the comparable sales, in terms of value.
Mortgage lenders in Washington require home appraisals for most loans that are made, and for a couple of reasons.
Sometimes these requirements “trickle down” from secondary authorities such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders also want to ensure that the home being purchased is worth the amount the buyer has agreed to pay.
For all of the reasons stated above, a home appraisal is usually required for Washington home buyers who use mortgage loans to finance their purchase. This is true for conventional and FHA loans alike.
There are some mortgage scenarios where a home appraisal might not be required.
For instance, when Freddie Mac announced that some buyers might be eligible for an “automated appraisal alternative,” this essentially bypassed the traditional on-site home appraisal. In some cases it saved borrowers money and expedite the closing process.
But this is only possible when the applicable underwriting engine allows it, and that’s generally a small percentage of loans. So while some home buyers in Washington might benefit from this alternative, the vast majority will still be required to have an appraisal.
In closing, we should point out the distinction between a home appraisal and an inspection. These commonly confused procedures are actually two different things entirely. One focuses on the value of the property, while the other focuses on the condition of the house.
As we’ve written in a separate article, home inspections are usually not required for mortgage loans in Washington State. With that being said, buyers can certainly benefit from having a thorough property inspection before purchasing a house.
If you are looking to apply for a mortgage, we can help. Sammamish Mortgage has been helping Washington homebuyers with their financing needs since 1992. We offer a variety of mortgage programs to buyers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. Please contact us if you have a mortgage related questions, or if you would like to receive a rate quote.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.