Before an Appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know. By law, a real estate appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisal reports for federally related transactions. Also by law, you are entitled to receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from your lender.To facilitate the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

• Plot plan or survey of the house and land (if available)
• Purchase information of the property in the last three years
• Property agreements that are in writing, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway, etc.
• List of personal property that is going to be sold with the home
• Title policy or information that describes encroachments or easements
• The most recent real estate tax bill and/or a legal description of the property
• Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells
• "Brag sheet" - lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available)
• A copy of the current listing agreement, real estate broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
• Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
• A list of "Proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "As Complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, it is not necessary to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but it could be helpful to be available to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are more helpful suggestions:

• Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic and crawl space
• House cleanliness: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! It's possible that a good impression can translate into a higher home value
• Maintenance: Minor home repairs for things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and door trim
• FHA/VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for an FHA/VA loan, be sure to ask the real estate appraiser about specific things that should be handled before they arrive. Some items they may recommend might be: Installation of smoke detectors on all home levels (particularly near bedrooms); installation of handrails for stairways; removal of peeling paint and repainting the affected area; provide inspection access to the attic and crawl spaces.