The appraisal process is not an easy one for anybody. The seller is pulling for a high value to maximize their net takeaway, a buyer wants to make sure that it comes in at or under the mortgage amount they can afford, and the poor appraiser is just trying to do their job as fairly and accurately as possible without enduring the wrath of two emotionally charged parties.
What does the appraiser see?
The problem with the process and the reason for the tension lies in the arbitrary nature of appraising. As the Market Watch article says (link below), an appraisal is “an opinion of value”. While a professional will hopefully provide due diligence to make their opinion as close to fact as possible, none-the-less there is a fair amount of subjective judgement buried in the end result.
The benefit to you as a buyer or seller is that an appraisal is not always the final say on the matter. You are entitled to an appeal to the appraisal. If you think an appraisal came out unfairly, get your supporting information together and appeal it. Read the article for its tips for doing so successfully.
How to Fight Back Against a Low Home Appraisal (www.MarketWatch.com)
This Braswellian Life 
Posted on May 14, 2010
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