For most homeowners, a real estate appraisal is the key ingredient to buying or selling their property. It allows all the interactions to proceed among the buyer, seller, real estate agent, and mortgage lender.

Before an appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know. By law, an appraiser must be state licensed or certified to perform appraisals. Also by law, you may receive a copy of the completed appraisal FROM YOUR LENDER upon written request .

Once the appraiser arrives, you do not need to accompany him/her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be available to answer specific questions about your property, and point out any improvements you have made. Here are some other suggestions:

• Accessibility: make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space.
• Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they are human beings too! A good impression can translate into a more positive experience for everyone involved.
• Maintenance: Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles, and trim boards.
• Make sure pets are leashed or otherwise contained.