Hiring an Appraiser

Your Realtor may be able to recommend an appraiser. You can also ask friends or neighbors who they have used, or a mortgage company may be able to make a recommendation. There are several organizations and web sites for professional appraisers, like The Appraiser Foundation (www.appraiserfoundation.org); Appraiser USA (www.appraiserusa.com); Appraisal Institute (www.appraisalinstitute.org); and AppraisersDotCom (www.appraisers.com). Remember that membership in a professional organization is not necessarily an indication of competence. Get personal recommendations if possible, and ask for references. Make sure the appraiser is properly licensed in your state.