What Not to Say to an Appraiser

When communicating with an appraiser—whether for a real estate appraisal or a performance evaluation—certain statements and topics should be avoided to ensure the process remains professional, objective, and free from any perception of undue influence or bias.

Key things not to say to an appraiser:

• Do not discuss or suggest a specific value.
  • Avoid statements like:
    • “I believe the house is worth more.”
    • “Is it going to come in at this value?”
    • “I’ll be happy as long as it appraises for at least the sales price.”
    • “Do your best to get the value as high as possible.”
    • “Let me know if it comes in low, ok?”
  • These comments can be interpreted as attempts to pressure the appraiser, which is both unethical and could backfire by making the appraiser more skeptical or defensive.
• Don’t compare your property to others solely to influence value.
  • Statements like “A similar home sold for much higher” or providing only the highest-priced comparable sales can be seen as trying to sway the appraiser’s opinion.
• Avoid making personal or emotional appeals.
  • Examples include:
    • “If this doesn’t appraise, the seller will go into foreclosure.”
    • “The family has been through a lot; we just need this to work out.”
  • Appraisals are based on objective data, not personal circumstances.
• Do not ask the appraiser to ignore property flaws or negative factors.
  • Statements like “Can you not take a picture of that hole in the wall?” or “Can you leave out the recent foreclosures and short sales?” are inappropriate and could be considered attempts to mislead.
• Do not make dismissive or confrontational remarks.
  • Avoid saying things such as:
    • “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    • “That’s not my job.”
    • “I don’t care what you think.”
  • These undermine the appraiser’s expertise and damage professional rapport.
• Don’t share irrelevant personal financial details.
  • Your debts, loans, or other liabilities are not relevant to the appraisal and should not be discussed.
• Avoid using language that could be interpreted as discriminatory or subjective.
  • Do not reference protected classes, crime rates, or use subjective terms like “good neighborhood,” “poor neighborhood,” or “pride of ownership.” These are considered unacceptable and potentially biased in appraisal reports.

Best practices:
Keep your communication factual and focused on the property’s features, upgrades, and objective information. If you have relevant data (like recent improvements or unique features), share it factually and without suggesting a desired outcome. Maintain a neutral, professional tone throughout the process.