What Not To Tell A Home Appraiser?

When preparing for a home appraisal, it’s crucial to communicate carefully and avoid statements that might be seen as attempts to influence the outcome. Here are the key things not to tell a home appraiser:. zyra inst

Avoid Discussing Value Directly

• Do Not State What You Think Your Home Is Worth: Telling an appraiser you believe your home is worth more (or less) can make them suspicious of your motives and may lead to extra scrutiny.
• Avoid Asking About the Appraisal Outcome: Do not ask questions like, “Will it appraise for at least the sales price?” or “Let me know if it comes in low,” as appraisers cannot discuss value with you directly—they must maintain confidentiality and report only to the lender.

Do Not Try to Influence Comparable Sales

• Don’t Push Specific “Comps”: Avoid telling the appraiser which comparable sales to use, especially only those that sold for higher prices. This can be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate the appraisal.
• Do Not Ask to Exclude Certain Sales: Refrain from requesting that foreclosures or short sales be left out of the analysis. Appraisers must use all relevant market data.

Do Not Withhold or Conceal Important Information

• Don’t Hide Major Issues: While you don’t need to point out every small defect, intentionally concealing significant problems (like foundation issues, unpermitted additions, or a history of illegal activity) is unethical and could be considered fraud.
• Be Honest if Asked Directly: If the appraiser asks about a specific issue, answer truthfully. Appraisers often already know the answer and may test your credibility.

Additional Tips

• Don’t Pressure the Appraiser: Avoid statements like, “Give me the best appraisal you can,” which can be seen as a request for a higher value.
• Don’t Try to Hide Repairs or Damage: Asking the appraiser to ignore or not photograph certain areas (like a hole in the wall) is inappropriate and can lead to distrust.
• Stay Neutral and Factual: Provide factual information about improvements, features, or recent repairs if asked, but avoid opinions or attempts to sway the appraiser’s judgment.

Summary Table

Stick to providing factual information and let the appraiser do their job without interference. This approach will help ensure a smooth, credible appraisal process.