What is an appraisal?

An appraisal is fundamentally a professional assessment of a property's value, typically conducted by a licensed appraiser. This assessment involves a thorough evaluation of the property, including its condition, location, size, and the features that may contribute to its overall worth. The purpose of an appraisal is to provide an unbiased estimation of the property's market value, which can be crucial for various situations such as buying, selling, refinancing, or obtaining a mortgage.

In contrast, other options may touch on related concepts but do not accurately define an appraisal. For example, a comparison of property prices in the area might be part of the data that an appraiser considers but does not encompass the entire process or the formal nature of an appraisal. The legal procedure for transferring property ownership refers more to the actual conveyance of title and the processes involved in real estate transactions, rather than the valuation of the property itself. Finally, a financial estimate for real estate taxes is typically based on assessed values but is distinct from an independent appraisal, which aims to ascertain market value rather than tax implications. Thus, the definition as an assessment of a property's value captures the essence of what an appraisal truly is.