What is the primary purpose of an appraisal?

The primary purpose of an appraisal is to estimate the market value of a property. This assessment provides a professional evaluation of a property's worth based on various factors including location, condition, comparable sales, and current market trends. This estimated market value is crucial for various transactions, such as buying, selling, or refinancing a property.

While options such as establishing a mortgage agreement, verifying ownership, and determining property tax values are related to property transactions, they do not encapsulate the core purpose of an appraisal. Establishing a mortgage agreement relies on the appraisal to assess risk for the lender, but it is not the appraiser’s primary task. Similarly, verifying ownership is a legal process independent of the appraisal itself, and while tax assessments utilize appraisal information, determining property tax values is yet another function distinct from the appraisal's main focus. Thus, estimating market value stands as the fundamental goal of any property appraisal.