When interacting with a home appraiser, it’s crucial to maintain a professional and factual approach. Certain statements or behaviors can undermine your credibility, raise ethical concerns, or even be construed as attempts to improperly influence the appraisal. Here’s what you should avoid saying:
Statements to Avoid
Avoid asking for a preferred result. Provide property facts and evidence rather than a desired number.“A similar home sold for much higher.” While you can provide factual information about comparable sales, avoid making subjective comparisons or implying the appraiser should match those figures.Describe renovation work honestly, including work you completed yourself. Provide available permits and documentation without concealing undocumented changes.An online estimate may use different information. Ask factual questions about the evidence rather than demanding that the appraisal match it.A neighbor’s appraisal may concern a different property, scope or date; it does not establish your value by itself.“Is it going to come in at this value?” or “I’ll be happy as long as it appraises for at least the sales price.” Avoid discussing or hinting at the value you want or need. This can be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome.“Do your best to get the value as high as possible.” Any suggestion that the appraiser should “help” you reach a certain value is inappropriate and could be construed as undue influence.“Can you leave out the recent foreclosures and short sales?” Asking the appraiser to ignore certain market data is unethical and could be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate the appraisal.Other Behaviors to Avoid
Following the appraiser around the house and constantly asking questions can be distracting and may hinder their ability to do their job thoroughly.Disclose relevant property problems and known changes honestly. Provide records that explain condition and repairs.What You Can Do Instead
Stick to factual information: Provide documentation of permitted improvements, a list of recent upgrades, or relevant neighborhood details if asked.Make sure the appraiser has access to all areas of the property and can see the features and condition clearly.Be available to answer questions, but do not attempt to guide or influence the appraiser’s value conclusions.Summary Table: What Not to Say
| Approach | Why it helps |
|---|
| Provide improvement records | Explains changes and dates |
| Offer relevant sale details | Lets the appraiser assess comparability |
| Disclose known issues | Supports an accurate property description |
| Ask factual questions | Focuses review on evidence |
| Avoid target-value pressure | Leaves the conclusion to the analysis |
Always keep your communication with the appraiser factual, transparent, and professional. Avoid any statements or behaviors that could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the outcome.