What is the difference between a full appraisal and an exterior-only appraisal?

Full Appraisal

For a full appraisal, the appraiser will do a full interior and exterior inspection, property measurements, and interior/exterior photos. The full list is in what a home appraiser looks for.

The full appraisal is much more thorough and accurate because the appraiser will collect a significant amount more primary data. The visit itself is usually short; here is how much time an appraiser spends at the property.

Exterior-Only Appraisal

The inspection for an exterior-only appraisal usually involves the appraiser driving by and taking photos from the street.

Aside from the drive-by inspection, the appraiser will rely solely on information that you provide them and information that is available online. A desktop appraisal goes one step further and skips the visit entirely.