The best questions to ask your appraiser are about condition issues they're noting, comparable sales they plan to use, and whether any improvements you've made will affect value. Here are the specific questions I recommend.
Questions During the Inspection
"Are there any condition issues you're noting?" Understand what condition factors might affect value.
"When was your last appraisal on this property?" If you've had previous appraisals, appraisers often know them.
"Do you have any questions about improvements we've made?" Let the appraiser know about updates they might not see.
"Is there anything we should have done before this appraisal?" Gets their honest assessment of what would have helped.
Questions After the Report
"How did you come up with this value?" Ask them to explain their comparable sales and reasoning.
"What are the main factors driving this value?" Understand the top 3-5 value drivers.
"How did my home compare to the comparable sales you used?" Understand the adjustments they made.
"What would improve the appraisal value?" Gets their honest assessment of what upgrades matter.
"Are there any issues you noted that concern you?" If they flagged something, understand it.
About the Comparables
"Can you explain why you chose these specific comparable sales?" They should have good reasoning.
"Are there other recent sales I'm not aware of?" They might know of unlisted sales.
"How did you adjust for the differences between my home and the comparables?" Understand the appraisal math.
"Why didn't you use [another property]as a comparable?" If you know of a sale they didn't use, ask why.
About Value Conclusions
"If I made [improvement], how much would that increase the value?" Get real-world impact estimates.
"How does the market currently view [your neighborhood]?" Understand market context.
"What's the price per square foot in this market right now?" Understand the baseline valuation metric.
"Is this value stable or do you expect changes?" Get their market outlook.
If the Value is Lower Than Expected
"Why did this come in lower than I expected?" Get their honest assessment.
"Is there anything about my assessment that seems off to you?" They might acknowledge if they're conservative.
"What comparable sales support this value?" Ask to see the actual comps.
"Are there recent improvements I should have disclosed?" If you did work and didn't mention it, tell them now.
Questions NOT to Ask
"Can you change the value to $XXX?" Never ask this. It's inappropriate and violates USPAP.
"Will the appraisal be high or low?" Don't try to influence their conclusion.
"I need this to appraise at a certain value..." Never tell them your motivation or pressure them.
"My neighbor's home appraised at $XXX, isn't mine worth that?" Don't try to argue value while they're working.
Professional Boundaries
Appraisers appreciate:
- Honest, straightforward questions
- Information about your home
- Clarification of improvements
- Respectful inquiries about their methodology
Appraisers don't appreciate:
- Pressure or influence attempts
- Arguments about their conclusions
- Suggestions to change the value
- Second-guessing their professional judgment
Stay on the professional side.
After You Receive the Report
If you want to discuss the appraisal further:
Request a follow-up conversation: "I have some questions about your valuation. Can we discuss?"
Send written questions: Sometimes easier for appraisers to respond in writing.
Provide additional information: "I didn't mention this improvement during the inspection. Does this affect your valuation?"
Request reconsideration: If you believe there was an error, formally request reconsideration of value.
Red Flags
If an appraiser:
- Refuses to explain their value conclusion
- Pressures you to agree with their valuation
- Won't discuss comparable sales
- Gets defensive when asked questions
- Seems disinterested in your input
Those are red flags. Appraisers should be professional and transparent.
Communication Tips
Be respectful: They're doing their job professionally.
Be honest: Answer their questions truthfully.
Be specific: If asking about improvements, give dates and details.
Be collaborative: Work with them to get the most accurate appraisal.
Don't be confrontational: They're not the enemy, even if you don't like the value.
Why These Questions Matter
Asking questions helps:
- You understand your home's value
- Appraiser understand your home better
- Ensure the appraisal is accurate
- Identify any misunderstandings
- Create a professional relationship
Good communication leads to better appraisals.
If You Disagree
After receiving the report, if you genuinely believe it's wrong:
- Get comparable sales data to support your position
- Request reconsideration formally (not argumentative)
- Provide new evidence: Recent sales, improvements not documented, etc.
That's the professional way to handle disagreement.
The Bottom Line
Ask smart, professional questions about your appraisal.
Understand your home's valuation.
But respect the appraiser's professional judgment and independence.
That's how you have good appraisal experience.