Can I choose my own appraiser, use my own contact, or ask to avoid a specific appraiser?
No. You can't pick the appraiser, bring in someone you know, or have a particular appraiser kept off your file. Federal appraiser independence rules keep the choice away from the borrower and from anyone with a stake in the loan closing, including the loan officer. The lender, or an appraisal management company it hires, makes the assignment. You can raise a concern, and the lender decides what to do with it.
Last updated September 29, 2026Why can't I choose or veto a specific appraiser?
It's the law, not a lender preference. Regulation Z's appraiser independence rule (12 CFR 1026.42) bars anyone involved in the loan from pressuring or influencing an appraiser to hit a value, and it bars an appraiser who has an interest in the property or the deal from doing the job. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their own independence requirements for the loans they buy. The idea is a neutral value, so a friend, a relative or a loan officer's favorite can't be the one deciding what the home is worth.
You can still speak up. If you know of a conflict, like an appraiser who is related to the seller, tell your lender, because that appraiser shouldn't be on the job. If you had a bad experience with someone before, you can mention it too. Just know the lender, or its management company, still makes the call.
What does the appraisal involve?
After the lender orders it, a licensed appraiser inspects the property and compares it with similar recent sales nearby. The report gives the lender an independent opinion of value, and that value affects how much the lender will lend against the home.
Can I skip the appraisal instead?
Sometimes. On some loans the lender can accept an automated value instead of a full appraisal, which Fannie Mae calls value acceptance. Some home equity lenders use automated valuations too. Whether you qualify depends on the loan, the property and the lender, so ask yours directly.
- Your loan is eligible for an automated value: the lender may skip the in-person appraisal.
- Your loan or property isn't eligible: expect a traditional appraisal, done by an appraiser the lender assigns.
| Who picks the appraiser? | The lender or its appraisal management company, never the borrower or loan officer |
|---|---|
| Can I hire someone I know? | No, that breaks appraiser independence rules |
| Can I block one appraiser? | You can raise a concern; the lender decides |
| What if the appraiser has a conflict? | Tell the lender; an appraiser with an interest in the property or deal shouldn't do the job |
| Can the appraisal be skipped? | Sometimes, if the loan qualifies for an automated value |
Related questions
Sources
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/42
- https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/faqs_subcategory/3293
- https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/consumer-guide-the-appraisal-process
- https://www.cfsreview.com/2023/03/cfpb-addresses-the-fine-lines-of-appraisal-independence
- https://themortgagereports.com/129616/no-appraisal-home-equity-loan
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b4-1.4-10/value-acceptance
Sourced from licensed loan officers and brokers in the FreeRateUpdate network.
Educational information only, not individualized financial or legal advice. Program details and rates change; verify current terms with a licensed loan officer before making a decision.