Should I Let Appraiser In My House?

Confirm the request before opening the door

It is reasonable to check an appointment, especially if you did not arrange it yourself. Contact the lender, appraiser, or other organization through a number you already trust and ask who is expected. Confirm the person's identity, appointment time, and what observations, measurements, or photographs the assignment calls for. Ask who should be present.

If the home is occupied by a tenant, an estate representative is handling it, or someone else controls access, settle who can authorize entry before scheduling. Tell the appraiser about pets, locked rooms, mobility concerns, and safety issues in advance. These are ordinary planning details, not reasons to guess about the value.

Why the interior may matter

An interior view can reveal layout, condition, repairs, and alterations that public records or exterior photographs do not show. Consider an older Reading rowhouse: records may show its size, but they may not show a finished attic, an unfinished renovation, or a water-damaged room. The appraiser uses observations with market evidence; access alone does not set or guarantee a value.

The amount of access needed depends on the assignment. Some work may proceed under a different scope or with limitations, but the appraiser and intended recipient must determine whether that report would meet their needs. Do not assume an exterior-only assignment is acceptable because a neighbor had one.

If entry is not possible

Explain the restriction before the work is accepted or continued. Ask what information is available, what assumptions or limitations the report would need, and whether the lender or other intended user would accept it. Dated photographs, repair records, and a clear description may help the appraiser assess the property, but they do not automatically replace an interior observation.

For an inherited home valued as of an earlier date, distinguish who can authorize entry today from what the home's condition was on the effective date. If a public assessor requests access, ask that office about its process and seek case-specific legal advice about obligations or appeal rights. A private appraisal and a tax assessment follow different processes.