Due to the Appraisal Independence Requirements (AIR) issued by Fannie Mae, an appraisal must be ordered under specific guidelines to ensure the inspection and value assigned by the independent appraiser are completely unbiased from any outside influences. This means your appraiser cannot have any ties to the buyer, the seller or the lender, so you cannot hire your own. You’ll need a certified home appraiser who is a neutral third-party and licensed by the state where the home is located. He or she will contact you to confirm the scheduled date and time. You’ll need to be home when they arrive, as the appraiser will need access to the home’s interior, and you can accompany the appraiser on the walk-through if you want.