How Much Does An Appraisal Cost In Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, a standard VA home appraisal for a typical single-family property generally runs about $625 under the VA Cleveland Regional Loan Center fee schedule, with higher fees for more complex or multi-unit properties.

VA Appraisal Fee Basics in Philadelphia

For VA loans in Pennsylvania, the Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a maximum allowable appraisal fee schedule rather than leaving pricing completely to the market. Philadelphia falls under the general "Pennsylvania" line in this schedule, which sets the framework for what VA-assigned appraisers may charge. The fees took effect on December 1, 2021, and remain the official reference point for VA home loan appraisals in the state.

VA appraisal fees are not based on the city name but on the state (and in some cases specific counties), which is why Philadelphia uses the statewide Pennsylvania figures rather than a separate Philadelphia-only line.

Cost Breakdown for Philadelphia, PA

When asking "How much does an appraisal cost in Philadelphia?" for a VA-backed loan, the answer depends on the type of property being appraised. The VA schedule for Pennsylvania lists the following maximum fees:

The schedule also sets the expected appraisal turnaround time for Pennsylvania at 7 business days, which is the target timeframe for completion once the appraiser has what is needed to inspect and value the property.

How This Applies to a Typical Buyer

Most VA buyers in Philadelphia are purchasing a single-family home, rowhouse, or condo unit, so the most common figure to budget for is $625 for the appraisal fee. This cost is usually paid upfront by the buyer or rolled into closing, depending on how the lender structures payments and when the appraisal is ordered.

Borrowers purchasing a duplex or other small multi-unit property to live in one unit and rent the others should expect a higher appraisal fee, typically in the $675–$800 range, because the analysis is more complex and uses different Fannie Mae forms.

Special Pennsylvania County Notes

The VA fee schedule lists a separate line only for certain rural Pennsylvania counties—Carbon, Clearfield, Clinton, Susquehanna, and Warren—with a slightly different multi-family fee and a longer completion time. Since Philadelphia County is not in this special list, it follows the standard Pennsylvania row: $625 for one-unit properties and $675–$800 for multi-unit forms.

This means a Philadelphia VA buyer can use the statewide Pennsylvania numbers with confidence when estimating appraisal costs during early budgeting and pre-approval planning.

Budgeting Tips

For a clear takeaway, here's what to expect for Philadelphia VA appraisal costs:

• Plan on about $625 for a standard VA appraisal on a single-unit home or condo in Philadelphia.
• Expect $675–$800 if buying a 2–4 unit VA-eligible property, depending on the exact form and complexity.
• Keep in mind the VA's 7-business-day target for Pennsylvania appraisals when mapping out your closing timeline.

By understanding this VA-published fee schedule, Philadelphia buyers and agents can set realistic expectations for both cost and timing, and avoid surprises as the loan moves from contract to closing.