What's the difference between a home inspection and an appraisal in Faribault?

They serve completely different purposes and are easy to confuse. An appraisal is ordered by your lender to determine the home's market value so the bank knows the loan is adequately secured; the appraiser does a relatively brief evaluation focused on value, comparing the home to recent sales of similar Faribault-area properties. An appraisal does not tell you whether the furnace is safe, the stone foundation is sound, the clay sewer lateral is intact, or the wiring is up to date. A home inspection, by contrast, is ordered by you, the buyer, and is a detailed, hands-on evaluation of the home's condition and systems, designed to protect you from costly surprises and give you negotiating leverage. You generally need both: the appraisal satisfies your lender, and the inspection protects your interests. Don't let a passing appraisal lull you into skipping the inspection, especially on an older Faribault home where condition issues run deep. The two together give you a full financial and physical picture. To get the inspection side covered, call us or build a free instant quote online.