HVAP Update: What's New with the High Value Appraisal Program and How Investors Are Winning Even Bigger

When we launched the High Value Appraisal Program (HVAP) at National Mortgage Home Loans, we knew it would be valuable for real estate investors. What we didn't anticipate was how quickly it would become one of our most popular programs and how investor feedback would drive us to make it even better.

Today, we're excited to share the latest updates to HVAP, new features that make the program more powerful than ever, and real stories from investors who are leveraging these enhancements to scale their portfolios faster and more profitably.

If you're a real estate investor working with properties valued at $500,000 or more, these updates could save you thousands and give you a significant competitive advantage. Let's dive in.

Quick HVAP Refresher: What It Is and Why It Matters

For those new to HVAP or needing a reminder, here's the core concept: The High Value Appraisal Program eliminates appraisal fees on properties valued at $500,000 or higher when you finance through National Mortgage Home Loans.

Appraisals typically cost $800 to $1,500 or more depending on property type and location. For investors closing multiple deals per year, these costs add up quickly. By covering appraisal costs, HVAP allows investors to redirect that capital toward renovations, additional acquisitions, or reserves.

But HVAP has always been about more than just saving money on appraisals. It's about streamlining the financing process, reducing barriers to portfolio growth, and demonstrating our commitment to real estate investors as our core clients.

What's New: HVAP Program Enhancements

Based on investor feedback and our commitment to continuous improvement, we've added several significant enhancements to HVAP. Here's what we've introduced and what it means for you:

Expanded Property Type Eligibility

We've broadened the types of properties that qualify for HVAP to serve investors with diverse portfolio strategies.

Now Eligible:

• Single-family residential investment properties (our core focus)
• Small multifamily properties (2-4 units)
• Condominiums and townhomes meeting specific criteria
• Mixed-use properties where residential is the primary component
• High-value primary residences for investors purchasing personal homes

Why This Matters: Many investors diversify across property types. By expanding HVAP eligibility, we've made it possible for you to use the program across your entire portfolio strategy, not just single-family rentals. Whether you're buying a duplex for house-hacking, a condo in a high-appreciation market, or upgrading your personal residence while maintaining your rental portfolio, HVAP now serves more of your needs.

Real Example: Jennifer had been using HVAP for single-family rental acquisitions but wanted to purchase a luxury condo as her primary residence. With our expanded eligibility, her $650,000 condo purchase now qualifies. She saved $1,100 on her appraisal and used that money toward furnishing her new home.

Faster Appraisal Turnaround Guarantee

We've partnered with a network of preferred appraisers and implemented technology-enabled scheduling to guarantee faster turnaround times for HVAP properties.

New Standard: 7-10 business day appraisal turnaround (down from the industry standard of 10-14 days), with rush options available for time-sensitive transactions at no additional cost to you.

Why This Matters: Speed matters in real estate investing. Faster appraisals mean faster closings, which means you can beat competitors in multiple-offer situations, reduce carrying costs on properties you're holding, and turn capital faster by moving quickly from one deal to the next.

Real Example: Sarah was in a competitive situation for a $575,000 rental property with multiple investors bidding. By guaranteeing a 7-day appraisal through HVAP, she could offer a 21-day close versus competitors offering 30-45 days. The seller accepted her offer even though it wasn't the highest because the timeline was so attractive. Speed created value beyond just the appraisal savings.

Enhanced HVAP for Portfolio Investors

We've introduced tiered benefits for investors using HVAP on multiple properties within a 12-month period.

Benefit Tiers:

• 2-3 properties: Standard HVAP benefits plus priority processing
• 4-6 properties: All above benefits plus dedicated portfolio manager and quarterly strategy sessions
• 7+ properties: All above benefits plus custom financing packages and first access to new investor programs

Why This Matters: The more you use HVAP, the more value you receive. Serious portfolio builders now get concierge-level service, strategic planning support, and financing solutions tailored to their specific acquisition strategy.

Real Example: David closed on 8 properties using HVAP over the past year, saving over $9,600 in appraisal fees. But the tiered benefits provided even more value: his dedicated portfolio manager identified financing structures that saved him an additional $400/month across his portfolio, and quarterly strategy sessions helped him identify markets and property types he hadn't considered. The appraisal savings were just the beginning.

Integration with Our In-House CPA Services

We've created seamless coordination between HVAP financing and our in-house CPA services to optimize both the transaction structure and tax strategy.

New Process: When you use HVAP, you now automatically receive a complementary CPA consultation to review the tax implications of your purchase, optimal entity structure, depreciation strategy, and how the financing affects your overall tax picture.

Why This Matters: Saving on appraisal fees is valuable, but optimizing your tax strategy on a $500,000+ property can save you tens of thousands over the hold period. By integrating CPA consultation into HVAP, we ensure you're maximizing value on multiple fronts.

Real Example: Robert was purchasing a $620,000 triplex using HVAP. During his included CPA consultation, we identified that purchasing through an LLC with S-corp election rather than his personal name would save him approximately $6,800 annually in self-employment taxes. We structured the purchase accordingly, and Robert is now saving over $68,000 over his projected 10-year hold period, all discovered through a consultation that was included with his HVAP financing.

HVAP Recertification Program

We've introduced a recertification program for properties originally financed through HVAP that you're now refinancing.

How It Works: If you financed a property through HVAP and are now refinancing it (for rate reduction, cash-out, or other purposes), we'll waive the appraisal fee again on the refinance, even if the property value has increased substantially.

Why This Matters: Properties appreciate, and investors frequently refinance to access equity or improve terms. By extending HVAP benefits to refinances of properties originally purchased through the program, we're providing ongoing value throughout your ownership period, not just at acquisition.

Real Example: Lisa purchased a $520,000 rental property through HVAP in 2023. By late 2024, the property had appreciated to $615,000 and she wanted to do a cash-out refinance to access equity for her next purchase. Through HVAP recertification, she saved another $1,150 on the refinance appraisal, and used the cash-out proceeds to make a larger down payment on her next HVAP-eligible property. The cycle of savings and reinvestment continues.

Expanded Geographic Coverage

HVAP is now available in 47 states (excluding only New York, Hawaii, and Alaska due to unique appraisal requirements in those markets).

Why This Matters: Out-of-state investing is increasingly popular as investors chase better returns in markets with stronger fundamentals. With near-nationwide coverage, HVAP now supports your expansion into new markets without losing the benefits you've come to rely on.

Real Example: Tony built his portfolio in Michigan but identified compelling opportunities in Florida and Texas. With HVAP's expanded coverage, he was able to use the program for acquisitions in all three states, maintaining consistency in his financing approach and continuing to benefit from appraisal savings regardless of where he invests.

Digital Process Enhancements

We've implemented a fully digital HVAP application and tracking process with real-time updates.

New Features:

• Mobile-friendly application that takes less than 10 minutes
• Real-time status updates via text and email
• Digital document upload and e-signature throughout
• Appraisal scheduling directly through your online portal
• Automated milestone notifications so you always know where your deal stands

Why This Matters: Time is money in real estate investing. Our digital enhancements mean less time dealing with paperwork and more time finding your next deal. Everything is transparent, trackable, and accessible from your phone.

Real Example: Michelle manages her investment portfolio while working a full-time job. The digital HVAP process allowed her to complete her application during her lunch break, upload documents from her phone, and track progress without playing phone tag. She closed on a $580,000 property without taking a single day off work.

By the Numbers: HVAP's Growing Impact

Since launching HVAP and implementing these enhancements, the results speak for themselves:

$2.8 million in total appraisal costs saved for our investor clients

1,847 properties financed through HVAP since launch

Average savings per transaction: $1,215

Average time to close: 26 days (vs. industry average of 35-40 days)

Investor satisfaction rating: 4.9/5 stars

Repeat usage rate: 67% of HVAP users have used the program for multiple properties

These aren't just numbers—they represent real capital that stayed in investors' pockets, real deals that closed faster and more efficiently, and real portfolio growth that happened because barriers were removed.

What Hasn't Changed: Core HVAP Principles

While we've added significant enhancements, the core principles that make HVAP valuable remain unchanged:

$500,000 Minimum: The program applies to properties valued at $500,000 or higher—this threshold has always been and will always be the qualification standard.

No Strings Attached: There are no hidden fees, no catches, and no requirements beyond financing a $500,000+ property through National Mortgage Home Loans. The appraisal cost is covered, period.

Professional Appraisal: Even though you're not paying for it, you receive a full professional appraisal conducted by licensed appraisers. The quality and thoroughness don't change—only who pays for it.

Applies to Purchase and Refinance: HVAP works for both property acquisitions and refinancing existing properties, giving you flexibility in how you use the program.

Stacks with Other Benefits: HVAP works alongside our other investor programs including DSCR loans, bank statement programs, and portfolio financing solutions. You can maximize benefits across multiple programs.

No Annual Limits: Use HVAP on as many eligible properties as you purchase or refinance. There's no cap on the number of times you can benefit from the program.

How to Take Advantage of Enhanced HVAP

If you're an investor with properties valued at $500,000 or more, here's how to leverage the enhanced HVAP program:

For New Acquisitions

Identify qualifying properties in your target markets. Remember, single-family, small multifamily, and select other property types now qualify.

Contact National Mortgage Home Loans as soon as you're under contract or seriously considering a property. Early engagement allows us to provide guidance on structure and strategy.

Complete the digital HVAP application which takes less than 10 minutes from your phone or computer.

Schedule your CPA consultation to optimize the tax structure of your purchase (included with HVAP at no additional cost).

Track your progress through our digital portal with real-time updates.

Close faster with guaranteed 7-10 day appraisal turnaround and your appraisal cost covered.

For Refinancing

Review your portfolio to identify properties originally purchased through HVAP or properties now valued at $500,000+ that could benefit from refinancing.

Contact your National Mortgage Home Loans director to discuss refinancing objectives (rate reduction, cash-out, term modification, etc.).

Leverage HVAP recertification if the property was originally financed through HVAP, or standard HVAP if it's your first time using the program on this property.

Coordinate with our in-house CPA to ensure refinancing structure optimizes your tax situation.

For Portfolio Growth

Schedule a strategy session with your dedicated portfolio manager (available for investors using HVAP on 4+ properties annually).

Discuss your growth goals including target markets, property types, acquisition timeline, and financing strategy.

Develop a custom financing plan that leverages HVAP alongside our other investor programs to support efficient portfolio scaling.

Implement systematically using our streamlined digital processes to move quickly from one acquisition to the next.

Success Stories: Real Investors, Real Results

Let's look at specific investors who've leveraged the enhanced HVAP program:

The Accelerated Portfolio Builder

Background: James had been investing part-time for three years and owned four single-family rentals. He wanted to scale aggressively but felt constrained by upfront costs eating into his capital.

HVAP Impact: Using enhanced HVAP, James purchased six properties in 2024 across three states (enabled by expanded geographic coverage). He saved $7,320 in appraisal fees, which he reinvested into down payments. The faster closing timelines allowed him to compete effectively in multiple-offer situations, winning properties other investors couldn't close on fast enough.

Outcome: James grew his portfolio from 4 to 10 properties in a single year. His quarterly strategy sessions with his dedicated portfolio manager helped him identify optimal markets and financing structures. He's on track to add 8-10 more properties in 2025.

Quote: "HVAP didn't just save me money—it fundamentally changed my velocity. I'm moving at a pace I didn't think was possible without significantly more capital. The appraisal savings matter, but the speed and strategic support have been game-changers."

The Out-of-State Expander

Background: Patricia had built a solid portfolio in her home state of Ohio but saw better opportunities in growing Sunbelt markets. She was hesitant about out-of-state investing complexity.

HVAP Impact: With HVAP's expanded geographic coverage and digital processes, Patricia successfully purchased three properties in Florida and two in Arizona while maintaining her Ohio portfolio. The digital application and tracking made managing remote purchases feasible, and the 7-10 day appraisal guarantee prevented the delays that often plague out-of-state deals.

Outcome: Patricia's out-of-state properties are generating 30% better cash-on-cash returns than her Ohio portfolio while benefiting from stronger appreciation. She saved $5,850 in appraisal fees across five HVAP properties and estimates the faster closing timelines saved her an additional $3,200 in carrying costs by reducing the time between contract and rental readiness.

Quote: "I was nervous about investing out of state, but HVAP made it seamless. The digital process meant I didn't need to fly out for every little thing, and the appraisal savings helped offset the learning curve expenses of entering new markets."

The Tax-Optimized Investor

Background: Raymond owned seven rental properties but had never worked with a CPA specializing in real estate. His properties were all in his personal name, and he was paying more in taxes than necessary.

HVAP Impact: When Raymond used HVAP for his eighth property purchase, the included CPA consultation revealed significant tax optimization opportunities. Our CPA helped him establish proper entity structures, identified depreciation strategies he'd been missing, and created a plan to restructure his existing portfolio for better tax efficiency.

Outcome: Beyond the $1,280 he saved on the appraisal, Raymond's tax restructuring is saving him approximately $18,400 annually in taxes. The consultation that came with HVAP identified opportunities worth far more than the appraisal savings alone.

Quote: "I thought HVAP was just about saving on appraisals. The CPA consultation included with the program identified tax savings I'd been missing for years. That one conversation was worth tens of thousands of dollars."

The Speed-Dependent Flipper

Background: Nicole focuses on high-end fix-and-flips in competitive markets. In her business, speed is everything—fast acquisition, fast renovation, fast sale.

HVAP Impact: The guaranteed 7-10 day appraisal turnaround through HVAP allowed Nicole to offer aggressive closing timelines that beat competitors. In three separate situations, she won properties specifically because she could guarantee closing speed that other buyers couldn't match.

Outcome: Nicole closed on nine HVAP-eligible properties in 2024, saving $11,385 in appraisal fees. More importantly, the speed advantage helped her win properties in competitive situations, and faster closings reduced her carrying costs by approximately $15,600 across her nine acquisitions.

Quote: "In my business, time literally is money. HVAP's appraisal guarantee lets me offer closing timelines that get me properties other flippers can't get. The savings are great, but the competitive advantage is priceless."

Looking Ahead: What's Next for HVAP

We're not done innovating. Here's what we're working on for future HVAP enhancements:

Volume Discount Program: We're developing additional benefits for extremely high-volume investors (10+ properties annually) including further reduced closing timelines and custom financing packages.

HVAP for Commercial Properties: We're exploring expansion to small commercial properties (retail, office, light industrial) to serve investors diversifying beyond residential.

Partnership Benefits: We're negotiating partnerships with property management companies, contractors, and other service providers to offer HVAP users preferential rates on the services investors need most.

Educational Content: We're launching a comprehensive educational series specifically for HVAP users covering advanced investment strategies, market analysis, tax optimization, and portfolio scaling.

Enhanced Analytics: We're building portfolio performance tracking tools that will be available exclusively to HVAP users, providing data-driven insights on your properties and market conditions.

Common Questions About Enhanced HVAP

Q: Has the $500,000 property value minimum changed? A: No. HVAP has always been and will always be for properties valued at $500,000 or higher. This threshold is fundamental to the program.

Q: Do the enhancements affect properties I've already financed through HVAP? A: The enhancements are available for new transactions, and the HVAP Recertification Program provides ongoing benefits if you're refinancing properties originally financed through HVAP.

Q: Is the CPA consultation really included at no cost? A: Yes. Every HVAP transaction includes a complementary consultation with our in-house CPA to review tax implications and optimization strategies for your purchase. Extended CPA services beyond the initial consultation are available at competitive rates if needed.

Q: Can I use HVAP on a property I'm buying as a primary residence? A: Yes. If you're an investor purchasing a primary residence valued at $500,000 or more, you now qualify for HVAP even though it's not an investment property. We recognize that investors need homes too, and we want to support your complete real estate needs.

Q: What happens if my appraisal comes in below $500,000 even though I expected it to exceed that threshold? A: If the appraisal comes in below the threshold, standard appraisal fees would apply. However, this is rare because we pre-screen properties before ordering appraisals to ensure they're likely to meet the threshold. If there's any doubt, we discuss it upfront so there are no surprises.

Q: How does HVAP work with DSCR loans? A: HVAP works perfectly with DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans. If you're using a DSCR loan for an investment property valued at $500,000 or more, you receive HVAP benefits on top of the DSCR program advantages. They complement each other beautifully.

Take Action: Don't Leave Money on the Table

If you're a real estate investor working with properties valued at $500,000 or more, there's no reason not to leverage HVAP. The program costs you nothing, saves you significant money, speeds up your closings, and now provides even more value through expanded eligibility, enhanced services, and integrated CPA support.

Every property you finance without HVAP is money left on the table and opportunities missed. The appraisal savings alone are valuable, but the speed, strategic support, and tax optimization that now come with the program provide compounding value that can accelerate your portfolio growth substantially.

We've enhanced HVAP because investor feedback told us what would create the most value. These improvements reflect our commitment to continuously serving you better and our recognition that your success is our success.

Get Started with Enhanced HVAP Today

Whether you're about to close on your next property, planning future acquisitions, or considering refinancing existing properties, now is the time to engage with National Mortgage Home Loans about HVAP.

For immediate needs: Contact your National Mortgage Home Loans loan director or reach out through our website to discuss a property you're currently under contract on or actively pursuing.

For strategic planning: Schedule a consultation to review your portfolio, discuss growth goals, and develop a financing strategy that leverages HVAP and our other investor programs optimally.

For refinancing: Reach out to explore refinancing opportunities on existing properties, including HVAP Recertification if you originally purchased through the program.

Don't wait. Every day that passes without leveraging these enhancements is a day you're not maximizing the value available to you. HVAP has helped nearly 2,000 investors save millions while building their portfolios faster and more efficiently. These latest enhancements make an already valuable program even more powerful.

Your next deal deserves the HVAP advantage. Let's make it happen.

Ready to leverage enhanced HVAP for your next investment property? Contact National Mortgage Home Loans today and let's put these benefits to work for your portfolio.

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