How much time does an appraiser spend at the property?

The appraisal inspection can take anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the property and the complexity. Bad weather can stretch the outside part (more on appraisals in bad weather).

If it is a 500 square-foot rectangular house on a small lot, then the appraiser will be done quickly. If it is a 10,000 square-foot house on 10 acres with multiple outbuildings, then the appraiser will most likely be more than an hour.

Typically, the longest part of the appraisal inspection is measuring the property. The interior inspection is usually shorter because it only involves taking photos and noting property characteristics. Here is what a home appraiser looks for during that walk-through, and the home appraisal checklist covers what to have ready.