What is a home appraisal, and how does it work?
Mortgage lenders require appraisals to ensure they’re not loaning you more than the home is worth.
5 min read
May 26, 2026
Taylor Freitas
Contributor, Personal Finance
EXPERTISE
- Real estate
- Home equity loans and mortgages
- Personal finance
- Consumer loans
- Small business loans
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern California
Taylor Freitas is a Bankrate contributor with over a decade of professional journalism experience. Over her career, she has covered various topics, including personal finance, credit cards, travel rewards, home ownership, mortgages, and home improvement.
When she isn’t writing, Taylor can be found using points and miles to explore new countries (most recently, Cambodia and Vietnam), discovering new music, and cheering on her beloved USC Trojans.
Find Taylor Freitas beyond Bankrate
- LA Weekly
- CNET
- ZDNet
Taylor's latest articles
-
-
Real estate commissions: How much do agents make, and who pays?
Real estate commissions: How much are they and how do they work?
4 min read May 20, 2026 -
Can you use home equity to buy another house?
Yes, you can. But the more relevant question is: Should you hock one house to buy another?
11 min read May 14, 2026 -
How to get the best mortgage rate
Shopping around for the best rate possible is more important than ever.
7 min read Apr 13, 2026 -
Regions Bank: 2024 Home Equity Review
Regions Bank offers home equity loans with flexible terms and fixed- and variable-rate HELOCs.
8 min read Mar 19, 2026 -
Rockland Trust Bank: 2025 Home Equity Review
Rockland Trust Bank provides home equity loans and HELOCs in addition to consumer banking, mortgages, investment products and more.
9 min read Mar 17, 2026 -
Rate: 2025 Home Equity Review
Rate is one of the most well-known mortgage lenders in the U.S.
7 min read Mar 17, 2026 -
