Agricultural Appraisals from People who Know the Land
Knowing the value of your land, equipment, or farm operation matters whether you're financing a purchase, settling an estate, or planning your next move. Farm Credit's in-house farm appraisal team brings agricultural expertise to every valuation across our territory in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Our appraisers are state-certified and follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) professional standards required of all credentialed real estate appraisers in the United States. Rural properties are their specialty.
What We Appraise and Order Internally
- Vacant Agricultural Real Estate: Farmland valuations grounded in local sales data, soil productivity, and regional market conditions. Whether you own row crops, timber, or specialty acreage, our appraisers understand what drives value in your county.
- Farm Equipment: Accurate assessments of machinery and equipment for lending, sale, or estate purposes. Equipment values shift with market conditions; our team tracks those changes. If you're also financing new machinery, explore our equipment loans.
- Commercial Agricultural Operations, Lifestyle/General Farms: Appraisals covering commercial agricultural operations with improvements that include grain storage, poultry facilities, hog facilities, dairy facilities, and other ag structures. We also complete lifestyle/general farm properties that include dwellings and outbuildings on acreage.
Fee Appraisals for Land and Ag Industries
Farm Credit also completes fee appraisals for parties who need an independent valuation outside of a loan transaction. Agricultural fee appraisal services cover:
- Farmland and Rural Property
- Commercial Agricultural Operations
- Timberland and Forest Product Related Properties
- Rural Home Properties on Acreage
Fee appraisals are available to Farm Credit eligible customers in parts of Pennsylvania. Attorneys, CPAs, and estate fiduciaries work with our team on valuations supporting legal and financial decisions.
When You Might Need a Farm Appraisal
If you're unsure if you need agricultural appraisal services, these guidelines can help determine if it's something that's required.
- If you're buying or selling farmland: An independent appraisal establishes a defensible market value before negotiations begin. Our land loans team can walk you through how appraisals factor into the purchase process.
- If you're using property as loan collateral: Lenders require a certified appraisal to determine how much they can lend against a property. The appraisal protects both the borrower and the institution from being under collateralized on a loan.
- If you're navigating estate planning or settlement: Accurate land valuations are required for stepped-up basis calculations, IRS reporting, and equitable distribution among heirs. Our appraisers work alongside attorneys and CPAs.
- If you're gifting or transferring land to family: Transferring farmland to the next generation requires a documented fair market value. The stakes are especially high during farm succession planning, where tax and legal implications depend on getting the number right.
- If you are dissolving your partnership: When agricultural business ownership changes, a neutral valuation protects all parties involved.
How the Farm Appraisal Process Works
Farm Credit's appraisers follow a structured appraisal process consistent with USPAP requirements:
- Data collection — The appraiser pulls public records, tax documents, legal descriptions, and any sales agreements tied to the property.
- Property inspection — An on-site visit captures the condition of the land, structures, and any improvements.
- Valuation analysis — Appraisers apply one or more of three standard approaches: Sales Comparison, Cost, and Income.
- Report delivery — A written appraisal report documents the opinion of value and the methodology behind it.
Ag Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can request a fee appraisal from Horizon Farm Credit?
Fee appraisals are available to Farm Credit eligible customers, including farmers, landowners, attorneys, and accountants involved in agricultural transactions. You do not need an existing loan with Farm Credit to request one.
- What's the difference between a tax assessment and a market value appraisal?
A tax assessment is set by a local government office for taxation purposes through the mass appraisal process. A market value appraisal reflects what a property would likely sell for under current conditions. The two figures often differ significantly. Lenders, attorneys, and the IRS typically require a certified market value appraisal, not a tax assessment.
- What documents can help the farm appraisal go faster?
A copy of the deed, legal description, current tax bill, FSA farm records, and any existing leases or contracts help your appraiser complete the assignment more efficiently.
- Do I need an appraisal if I'm not getting a loan?
Yes. Estate planning, gifting, partnership buyouts, and sale negotiations all benefit from an independent appraisal.
- Does Horizon Farm Credit appraise properties outside of its lending territory?
No. Our internal appraisal team serves our territory across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Fee appraisals are currently available in parts of Pennsylvania but contact our team of experts to confirm coverage for your property.
Agricultural Appraisal Services offered by Horizon Farm Credit are available to Farm Credit eligible customers. Please contact a member of our appraisal team to learn more: 888.339.3334.