Florida Appraisals — Cost, Process & Requirements by Loan Type
The short answer: A Florida appraisal typically costs between $350 and $650, with FHA and VA appraisals running closer to $400 to $700 because of the added property-standard inspection. Once your lender orders the appraisal, a state-licensed Florida appraiser usually visits the property within a few business days and turns in a report within two to seven days after that, putting most files at seven to ten business days from order to report. Conventional appraisals stay valid for 120 days, while FHA and VA appraisals are good for 180 days. If the value comes in at or above the purchase price, your loan moves forward as planned; if it comes in low, you have options, which we cover below. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225) is a licensed mortgage broker in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.
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Your Answer Right Here
Florida Appraisal Costs, Timelines & Requirements — Direct Answer
Florida appraisals are ordered by your lender once you’re under contract or applying to refinance, and a state-licensed appraiser inspects the property, pulls recent comparable sales, and delivers a report estimating the home’s market value. Cost usually lands between $350 and $650 for a standard single-family home, though government-backed loans, larger properties, condos, and rural parcels can push that higher. Most Florida appraisals take seven to ten business days from the moment your lender places the order to the moment the finished report lands in your file, though busy markets like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orlando can run a little longer during peak season. The appraisal is not the same as a home inspection: an appraiser is confirming value and, for FHA and VA loans, basic safety and habitability, not searching for every maintenance issue the way an inspector does. Call 888.958.5382 or apply free and we’ll walk you through what to expect for your specific loan type.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Loan Program Comparison Table — Cost, Validity & Turnaround
The loan program you choose changes how much your appraisal costs, how long the report stays valid, and how strict the property-condition standards are.
| Loan Type | Typical Cost | Validity Period | Property Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | $350–$550 | 120 days | Market value focus; minor defects noted, not required to be fixed |
| FHA | $400–$700 | 180 days | Value plus HUD minimum property standards (safety, soundness, security) |
| VA | $400–$700 | 180 days (expires at closing) | Value plus VA Minimum Property Requirements |
| USDA | $375–$600 | 150 days (120 + 30-day grace) | Value plus basic health and safety standards |
How the Process Works
How the Florida Appraisal Process Works, Start to Finish
Once you sign a purchase contract or your refinance application is complete, your loan officer submits an appraisal order through an appraisal management company, which assigns the job to a licensed Florida appraiser working in that area. Because assignment is arm’s-length by design, neither you nor your lender picks the specific appraiser, and that separation protects the integrity of the value opinion. The appraiser then reaches out directly, or through the listing agent on a purchase, to schedule a walkthrough.
Ordering the Appraisal and Scheduling the Inspection
Scheduling generally happens within two to five business days of the order going out, faster in most metro areas and a bit slower in rural counties where fewer appraisers cover more territory. At the walkthrough, the appraiser measures the home, photographs the interior and exterior, notes the condition of major systems, and records details like bedroom and bathroom count, lot size, and any additions or renovations. None of this takes more than an hour or two for a typical single-family home, though larger or unusual properties take longer.
Appraisal Validity Periods by Loan Type
After the inspection, the appraiser researches comparable sales from the past several months, adjusts for differences between your home and those comps, and arrives at a final opinion of value. Conventional appraisals stay valid for 120 days from the effective date, so most conventional buyers close well within that window. FHA and VA appraisals run longer, at 180 days, which gives builders and borrowers working through repair conditions more breathing room. USDA appraisals sit at 150 days, combining a 120-day base period with a 30-day extension. If your closing slips past the validity window, your lender can often request an update rather than a brand-new appraisal, which usually costs less and moves faster.
What It Costs
What Does a Florida Appraisal Cost in 2026?
Statewide, a standard single-family appraisal in Florida runs about $350 to $650, with the low end covering smaller, straightforward homes in areas with plenty of recent comparable sales and the high end reflecting larger homes, waterfront or unique properties, and condos with more complex ownership documentation to review. Government-backed loans tend to cost more because of the additional time an appraiser spends confirming the property meets minimum standards; expect $400 to $700 on most FHA and VA files. Multi-unit properties, rural land, and homes over roughly 3,500 square feet also run higher because they simply take longer to measure, photograph, and research.
In Florida, the buyer typically pays the appraisal fee as part of closing costs, though it’s common for lenders to collect it upfront at application to make sure the appraiser gets paid even if the loan doesn’t close. On a refinance, the homeowner covers the cost the same way. Sellers occasionally order and pay for a pre-listing appraisal on their own to price a home with more confidence, though buyers’ lenders will still order their own independent appraisal regardless.
Full Picture
What Borrowers Should Know Before Closing
- Licensed or certified by Florida’s DBPR Real Estate Appraisal Board
- FHA files require an appraiser on HUD’s FHA Roster
- Assigned independently through an appraisal management company
- Neither borrower nor loan officer selects the individual appraiser
- Ask your agent to submit a reconsideration of value with better comps
- Renegotiate the purchase price with the seller
- Bring additional cash to cover the gap between price and value
- Walk away if your contract includes an appraisal contingency
- Provide access to every room, attic, and mechanical area
- List any updates, renovations, or permitted additions in writing
- Handle obvious safety issues before an FHA or VA inspection
- Tidy up, but know cosmetic staging has little effect on value
- Some conventional refinances qualify for an automated value waiver
- Waivers depend on loan-to-value, property type, and data confidence
- Cash purchases with no financing don’t require a lender appraisal
- Even with a waiver, buyers can order their own independent appraisal
How It Works
Three Steps to a Smooth Florida Appraisal
Once your file is complete, we submit the order through an appraisal management company and confirm the fee upfront so there are no surprises.
A licensed Florida appraiser visits the property, documents its condition, and researches comparable sales in your area.
We review the report the day it arrives, confirm it supports your loan, and keep your closing date on track — or help you respond quickly if it doesn’t.
None of this happens in a vacuum, either — state licensing for Florida appraisers falls under the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, part of the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and appraisers working on federally related transactions follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice set by The Appraisal Foundation. That framework is exactly why the appraiser assigned to your file works independently of your lender and your real estate agent — it keeps the value opinion arm’s-length, which protects you as much as it protects the bank.
Related Resources
Related Mortgage Pages
The appraisal decides your loan amount. These Florida pages cover what happens next.
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Real Reviews From Our Clients
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Common Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions — Florida Appraisals
