HANDLING AN ESTATE
Estate appraisals
Tell us about the property, the estate and who needs the valuation.
WEST CHESTER, PA · APPRAISAL GUIDE
What is the purpose of a house appraisal?
A house appraisal gives you an independent, professional opinion of what a property is worth for a stated purpose and date. Whether you are settling an estate, working through a divorce or preparing to sell, tell us who needs the report and what decision it needs to support.
1442 Pottstown Pike
West Chester, PA 19380
WORKING THROUGH DIVORCE
Divorce appraisals
Discuss an independent property valuation for equitable distribution.
SELLING OR BORROWING
Residential appraisals
Discuss a value opinion for a sale, mortgage or refinance.
One West Chester home. Two different questions.
Imagine a West Chester Borough twin. An executor may need an opinion of its value on an earlier date for an estate; an owner preparing to sell may need a present-day opinion to inform a pricing decision. Those are different assignments, even though the house is the same.
Tell us the purpose, the date to be valued and who will use the report before we agree on the assignment. For a legal or tax matter, bring your adviser’s requirements.
The purpose comes first
We serve homeowners, attorneys, real estate agents and mortgage lenders. Start by telling us whether the appraisal is for an estate, a divorce, a sale or lending, who needs to use it and the valuation date needed.
For a West Chester property, share the full address. West Goshen, East Goshen and Westtown are separate townships from West Chester borough; a West Chester mailing address alone does not identify the municipality or parcel records. The address and the purpose give us a place to start.
A value to compare with the price
For a buyer, an appraisal provides a check on the agreed price. If the value comes in lower, it can support a price negotiation. Withdrawal without penalty depends on the appraisal contingency in your transaction.
For a seller, a pre-listing appraisal can help establish a realistic, competitive asking price. It informs your decision; it does not guarantee a sale price or return.
Why the lender needs a value
A lender uses an appraisal to assess the home as collateral: could selling it cover the outstanding debt if the borrower defaults? Lenders typically require an appraisal for a mortgage or refinance to assess loan-to-value, the relationship between the loan and the property value. If the appraised value is below the loan amount, the lender may deny the loan or require cash to cover the difference.
For refinancing, current value helps the lender assess loan terms, interest rates and whether there is enough equity to remove private mortgage insurance (PMI). Home equity loans and lines of credit (HELOCs) also use appraisals; borrowing amounts depend on equity relative to current value. An appraisal does not guarantee approval or PMI removal.
Do I also need a home inspection?
| What you need | An appraisal | A home inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Main question | What is the property worth for the agreed purpose and date? | What is the condition of accessible structure and systems? |
| What it provides | A supported opinion of value using property and market evidence. | A separate assessment of accessible physical conditions. |
An appraisal and a home inspection answer different questions. The appraisal gives a dollar opinion of fair market value. The inspection examines physical condition, safety and how systems function, including the roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems and foundation.
In a typical mortgage transaction, the lender is the appraisal client even though the buyer pays. The inspection is for the buyer’s knowledge and reports repair and maintenance needs. A valuation report serves the lender’s collateral assessment; it does not replace that inspection.
More about house appraisals
Published November 27, 2025 · Updated September 15, 2026 · The Appraising Group West Chester.
Historical prices and business details in the video may differ from current information.
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with your address.
Tell us why you need the appraisal and when the report is needed. We’ll discuss coverage, timing and a quote.