An appraised value (USA) or mortgage valuation (Australia)
pertains to the assessed value of real property in the opinion
of a qualified appraiser or valuer. It is usually used as
a pre-qualification & risk-based pricing factor related
to the issuance of mortgage loans by a financial institution.
When obtaining a mortgage the funding lender relies on the
standardized valuation methods of an appraiser to asses a
monetary value for the specific piece of real property on
which a loan will be secured (e.g. a residence). The lender
will then justify the loan amount (and other risk-based pricing)
factors as a percentage of the appraised value of the property.
Appraised values can also be made after a property sale.
For example, home owners wishing to gain access to their increased
equity in their home may obtain a mortgage valuation to prove
its value has risen and thus justify increasing the amount
of their mortgage. Also, the various states of Australia each
have a Valuer-General's Department, which regularly assess
land values in all municipalities and shires for the purpose
of issuing property tax notices.
A low appraised value will affect a buyer's ability to purchase
a property. This is because the loan amount would seem too
high with respect to the value. Unless the buyer can come
up with the difference, the buyer will unlikely be able to
qualify for the loan.