During the home buying process, youll hear the term "appraisal" mentioned at some point.

Chances are, you already have a general idea what this term means. But when it comes to mortgages and home buying, you need to know exactly what an appraisal involves and how it affects you.

First, a definition:

Appraisal -- A professional appraisers estimate of the market value of a property. Appraisals take into account the local market conditions and the characteristics of a property. They are required by most lenders.

In other words, the appraisal is the lenders way of determining a realistic market value of your future home. The lender uses the appraisal to ensure that the home is actually worth the price youve agreed to pay.

In the unfortunate event that you cant pay your mortgage, the bank will foreclose on the home and resell it. Not a nice thought -- but its reality. The appraisal is how the lender protects its own financial interests.

Generally, youll have little control over the appraisal process and wont even be present for it. Chances are, your lender will arrange the appraisal, and the house will either appraise at the asking price or not. Hopefully the former.

If the home appraises for less than the asking price, you have two options. You can come up with the difference, or the seller can reduce the asking price to match the appraisal.

Also keep in mind that an appraisal is not a home inspection. A home inspection is something you should obtain to protect your investment. An appraisal is the appraiser's opinion about the value of your prospective home. But that's it. Appraisers will not test the functionality of appliances, inspect the roof, or perform other tasks a home inspector would do.

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article in its entirety, provided you leave the byline, author's note and website hyperlink intact.