Appriasals may be a challenge in our market.

The rules for appraisals might kill some deals. Lenders can no longer choose their appraiser (good idea) but also cannot know who the appraiser is and the agent can have no contact with the appraiser (bad idea). The agent can help the appraiser understand the property better and inform them of the positives for that property, some of which are not necessarily evident. Appraisers, like agents, get to know specific areas and when they are called to do an appraisal in an unfamiliar area they sometimes produce a low appraisal. There should be some communication between the appraiser and the agent but the appraiser should NEVER be influenced about the price by anyone. Click here to read the entire Seattle Times story on appraisal concerns.