What Did My Appraiser Just Say? Breaking Down Appraisal Jargon

If you've ever read a real estate appraisal report and thought, “What does any of this mean?” — you're not alone. Appraisal reports are packed with industry terms, abbreviations, and technical language that can feel like a foreign language.

At Efird Appraisals, we believe in transparency and communication. So we’re breaking down some of the most common (and confusing) appraisal terms you might see—no decoder ring required.

1. “Subject”

This doesn’t refer to a school topic—it’s what we call the property being appraised.

🏠 “The subject is a one-story single-family residence built in 1995...”

2. “GLA”

Short for Gross Living Area, GLA is the total finished, above-grade (meaning not a basement) square footage that’s heated and cooled.

❄️🔥 Your finished basement? Not included in GLA. But don’t worry—it still adds value.

3. “Comp”

Short for comparable sale. These are recent property sales the appraiser uses to support the value of your home. Think of comps as your home’s real estate “lookalikes.”

🏡 “Comp #1 is a similar ranch-style home located two streets over, sold 3 months ago.”

4. “Adjustment”

No, not therapy—this is when we fine-tune the comp values to better match your property. For example, if your home has a garage and the comp doesn’t, we add value to the comp for that difference.

➕ or ➖ Adjustments help level the playing field so we’re comparing apples to apples.

5. “As-Is” vs. “Subject To”

This refers to the condition of the property at the time of the appraisal:

• As-Is: We value it in its current condition.

• Subject To: The value assumes something will be fixed or completed (like construction or repairs).

🛠️ “The property is appraised subject to completion of renovations.”

6. “Highest and Best Use”

This is a bit of appraiser philosophy. It means the most profitable, legally permissible use of the property. For most single-family homes, it’s pretty straightforward—but for land or mixed-use properties, this analysis gets important.

🌳 Yes, technically you could build a goat yoga studio on that lot… but should you?

Why It Matters

Understanding what goes into your appraisal—and what all that lingo means—helps you make smarter decisions, ask the right questions, and avoid surprises. We don’t expect you to become an expert overnight, but we do want you to feel informed and confident in the process.

Still confused about something in your report? Just ask us. We’re here to help, and we don’t speak in code (unless you want us to).

📞 Need an appraisal or have questions about your report? Contact us today.

Efird Appraisals – Trusted in NC & SC for over 40 years

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