Get guidance from trusted mortgage experts. Most homeowners refinance for financial reasons, such as to lock in a lower interest rate or switch from an adjustable- to a fixed-rate loan. Refinancing ...

When you’re refinancing your mortgage, your home's appraised value has a major impact on how much of a loan you can get. An appraisal is an independent assessment of your home's value that a lender ...

An appraisal for a refinance is part of the underwriting process for a new loan. Appraisers look at various factors, including your home's location and its size, layout and improvements. Many lenders ...

Desktop valuation is a type of valuation that doesn't require a physical inspection of an asset. Based on documentation, photos, and expert testimonials, desktop appraisal or valuation can be used for ...

Katherine Watt is a former CNET Money writer focusing on mortgages, home equity and banking. She previously wrote about personal finance for NextAdvisor. Based in New York, Katherine graduated summa ...