Does the appraisal happen before underwriting?

Asked by: Ava Kris  |  Last update: August 27, 2025
Score: 5/5 (12 votes)

On to The Next Step: Underwriting This phase happens after the initial mortgage document review, but before you receive a property appraisal and are cleared to close on your new home. (The property appraisal typically happens while your file is in the underwriting process.)

Does underwriting happen before or after appraisal?

While the underwriting process is happening, the lender will order an appraisal, typically conducted by a licensed appraiser, to assess and evaluate the property a borrower wishes to purchase.

Can an underwriter approve a loan without appraisal?

FYI, lenders typically only waive appraisal if they believe your loan is very low risk, meaning you either have a high down payment and or the purchase price is not unrealistically high.

Is the appraisal the last thing before closing?

When you're buying a home and are under contract, the appraisal will be one of the first steps in the closing process. If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction proceeds as planned. If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, it can delay or derail the transaction.

What comes first, appraisal or loan approval?

If you are refinancing your own home, the appraisal is part of loan processing and takes place before final approval.

2 Big Reasons Home Loans Blow Up In Underwriting - [Underwriting Mortgage Process]

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Does loan get approved after appraisal?

If the appraised value creates any sort of obstacle or inability for the buyer to purchase the property with the approved loan amount, loan-to-value, or down payment requirement, it opens the door for the loan to be denied.

What if appraisal is lower than offer?

Appraisal is lower than the offer: If the home appraises for less than the agreed-upon sale price, the lender won't approve the loan. In this situation, buyers and sellers need to come to a mutually beneficial solution that will hold the deal together — more on that later.

How fast is closing after appraisal?

The appraisal to closing timeline may vary, but it generally takes two to five weeks to close after completing the home appraisal. How fast can you close on a house? While closing on your new house sooner than the average 43 days is possible, it requires a streamlined closing process.

At what point is the appraisal ordered?

When Is An Appraisal Ordered In The Loan Process? Once your offer is accepted your mortgage lender orders the appraisal.

What is the 3 day appraisal rule?

Section 1002.14(a)(1) requires that the creditor “provide” copies of appraisals and other written valuations to the applicant “promptly upon completion,” or no later than three business days before consummation (for closed-end credit) or account opening (for open-end credit), whichever is earlier.

Can a loan be denied after appraisal?

If an appraisal inspection uncovers a major issue, like a bad foundation, the loan may be denied as the home would be seen as a bad investment.

How long after underwriting is closing?

The mortgage underwriting process can take up to 60 days. The standard turnaround time to take a mortgage purchase loan from contract to funding usually takes 30 to 45 days, but most lenders will work to have the mortgage underwritten within 30 days to meet the agreed upon closing date set in the purchase contract.

How likely is it to get denied during underwriting?

Federal Housing Administration loans: 14.4% denial rate. Jumbo loans: 17.8% denial rate. Conventional conforming loans: 7.6% denial rate. Refinance loans: 24.7% denial rate.

At what stage does underwriting happen?

Mortgage underwriting is what happens behind the scenes once you submit your application. It's the process a lender uses to take an in-depth look at your credit and financial background to determine if you're eligible for a loan.

What's next after the appraisal?

After the appraisal, the next step is underwriting. The mortgage lender reviews the loan file to ensure that everything is in order, assesses the risk, and either approves or denies the application. Some borrowers might receive conditional approval, meaning that some item needs to be resolved or explained.

What is the clear to close 3 day rule?

The three-day period is measured by days, not hours. Thus, disclosures must be delivered three days before closing, and not 72 hours prior to closing. Note: If a federal holiday falls in the three-day period, add a day for disclosure delivery.

What comes first, appraisal or underwriting?

The appraisal is typically ordered by the buyer's lender once their initial loan application package has been submitted and is under the early stages of underwriting review.

Is appraisal done before closing?

Once your offer is accepted on a home, you'll have a few weeks to conduct a full home inspection and appraisal before closing on the house.

What negatively affects a home appraisal?

Having outdated appliances, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems could decrease the value of your property. Dated features in your home's interior could imply that the property has not been well-maintained, which could raise concerns about any underlying issues.

Is appraisal last step in underwriting?

If the appraisal comes in or above the contract price, then the loan proceeds like normal. The next step is the underwriting process, which is where the loan evaluation and conditions are finalized.

Does appraisal mean loan is approved?

The appraisal can affect the buyer's mortgage loan approval process in a couple of ways. In some cases, it can determine whether or not the loan goes through. And if the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, it might warrant another round of negotiations between buyer and seller.

How often do buyers back out after appraisal?

3.9% of real estate sales fail after the contract is signed.

There's nothing more frustrating than having a buyer back out at the last second.

Can seller back out if appraisal is low?

A sales contract with a kick-out clause allows you to continue marketing and showing the property. If by the kick-out clause date you find another buyer willing to pay the sales price despite the lower appraised value, you can 'kick out' the original buyer and accept the new offer.

Why do appraisers lowball?

Overpricing: Ongoing shifts in the market, several recent foreclosures in the area or the presence of many distressed homes can affect the value of a home. Sometimes without sellers even realizing it. So if they overprice their homes, the appraisal value is bound to be lower than expected.

Do sellers usually lower prices after appraisal?

Do sellers usually lower their asking price if the appraised value is lower? Whether the seller decides to lower their asking price will depend on a number of factors, including how motivated they are to sell or if they have other offers above asking price.