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If you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a home in Los Angeles, you’ve likely heard the terms home appraisal and home inspection. Many homeowners assume they are the same—but they are two completely different services, used for two completely different purposes.
In a diverse and fast-shifting real estate market like Los Angeles, understanding the difference is crucial. Whether you’re in Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, Culver City, Woodland Hills, or anywhere in LA County, choosing the right service can protect your equity, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure a smooth transaction.
This guide explains the key differences, how each affects your home, and why a certified home appraisal is the only method to determine your home’s actual value.
A home appraisal is a formal, unbiased estimate of your property’s fair market value. It is performed by a State-Certified Residential Appraiser, and it is required for almost all real estate transactions involving a bank or lender.
A professional home appraisal is the gold standard for determining:
✔ Your home’s true market value
✔ Your equity
✔ A fair listing price
✔ A valuation suitable for refinancing, divorce, estate, probate, or tax purposes
Because the Los Angeles market changes rapidly—micro-markets, ADUs, zoning, and inventory shift constantly—having an accurate appraisal is essential.
A certified appraiser analyzes dozens of factors, including:
In valuation-sensitive cities like Los Angeles, small differences—such as a permitted ADU or an updated kitchen—can shift your home appraisal by tens of thousands of dollars.
At Randy M. Sonns Certified Residential Appraiser, we specialize in:
All reports are detailed, accurate, court-ready, and accepted by lenders, attorneys, and financial institutions.
A home inspection evaluates the physical condition of a home—not its value.
It is typically ordered by homebuyers to discover repair issues before closing a transaction.
A home inspection focuses on:
The inspector provides a report listing defects or recommended repairs.
Home inspectors do not:
✘ Determine market value
✘ Analyze comparable sales
✘ Track LA price trends
✘ Issue documents used for refinancing, divorce, probate, or tax disputes
✘ Provide a valuation acceptable to lenders or courts
They only assess condition, not value.
Below is the clearest comparison for LA homeowners:
Purpose
Who Requires It?
Report Outcome
Used For
Professional Required
Banks rely ONLY on the home appraisal.
A pre-listing appraisal helps you:
Inspections may help prepare repairs, but they do not determine value.
A home appraisal is required. An inspection is not needed.
Courts, attorneys, and financial institutions require a certified home appraisal, not an inspection.
Los Angeles real estate behaves differently than anywhere else. Each neighborhood—Venice, Burbank, West LA, Glendale, Pasadena—acts as its own micro-market.
Here’s what impacts your appraisal value:
Home values change based on:
Los Angeles has one of the highest ROI rates for:
A properly permitted ADU can significantly increase your appraisal value.
While home inspectors identify issues, appraisers evaluate condition for market value adjustments.
In Los Angeles, land often holds more value than the structure itself—especially in high-demand neighborhoods.
If Buying:
→ You need BOTH (they serve different purposes)
If Selling:
→ A pre-listing appraisal is the smartest move
If Refinancing:
→ You need a certified home appraisal
If Handling Divorce or Estate Matters:
→ Courts require a professional Los Angeles appraisal
If Disputing Property Taxes:
→ Only an appraisal will be accepted
For 35+ years, Randy M. Sonns has been providing:
Serving: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County
Our strengths:
✔ Deep knowledge of LA market trends
✔ Expertise in ADUs, zoning & micro-market valuation
✔ Fast turnaround
✔ Accurate, unbiased valuations
✔ Trusted by lenders, attorneys & real estate professionals
Your home value deserves precision—and we deliver it.
A home appraisal and home inspection may happen around the same time, but they serve completely different roles:
If you're buying, selling, refinancing, or handling legal matters in Los Angeles, the home appraisal is the essential service you cannot skip.
Contact Randy M. Sonns Certified Residential Appraiser today for:
✔ Fast service
✔ Accurate valuations
✔ Local expertise
✔ Certified, trusted reports
Your property’s value matters—let us determine it with precision.
