Who this article is for
This article is for:
Homebuyers in the Nestwise loan process
Homeowners refinancing with Nestwise
Anyone who wants to understand how a property appraisal affects their mortgage
How appraisals work for a Nestwise mortgage
An appraisal is an independent opinion of a property’s market value.
Most Nestwise loans require an appraisal because it helps confirm that the home’s value supports the loan amount under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rules.
Appraisals protect both the borrower and the lender by ensuring the property is worth what you’re paying.
1. When an appraisal is required
Nestwise will order an appraisal for:
Most home purchases
Most refinances
Cash-out refinances
Loans where value must be verified
Some limited scenarios may qualify for an appraisal waiver, but this is determined automatically by the underwriting system — not by Nestwise.
2. Who performs the appraisal
Appraisals are completed by:
A licensed, third-party appraiser
Someone who is independent from Nestwise
A professional who follows national appraisal standards
Nestwise cannot choose a specific appraiser, influence the value, or speed up the appraiser’s schedule — this is required for compliance and fairness.
3. What the appraiser reviews
During the appraisal, the appraiser will evaluate:
The home’s condition
Square footage
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Improvements or upgrades
Comparable recent home sales
The neighborhood
Market trends
They will take photos, measurements, and notes to support their valuation.
4. What you need to do as the borrower
If you are buying a home:
Your real estate agent will coordinate access for the appraiser
You don’t need to attend the appointment
If you are refinancing:
You may need to be home to provide access
Make sure all areas are accessible, including the garage and backyard
You don’t need to prepare or stage your home — the appraiser is not evaluating cleanliness, only property condition and market value.
5. How long an appraisal takes
Timeline expectations:
Scheduling: usually 3–7 days
Inspection: typically 20–40 minutes
Appraisal report: usually 3–5 days after inspection
Your Nestwise dashboard will update you as soon as results are available.
6. What happens if the appraisal value is lower than expected
If the appraisal comes in low, several options may be available depending on your loan type:
Renegotiate the purchase price (for buyers)
Increase your down payment
Adjust loan terms
Request a reconsideration of value (in limited cases)
Nestwise will explain your best path forward if this happens.
7. When you’ll receive the appraisal report
Once the appraisal is complete:
The full report will be uploaded to your dashboard
You will receive a notification
Your Nestwise team will explain any impact on your loan
Appraisals are required before final approval for most loans.