So I found a weird way to get my appraisal to come in higher
My bank wanted a new value on my house before they would okay the cash out, and the first guy they sent said it was only worth about $315k. I knew that was low because my neighbor's place, which is smaller, just sold for more. So, I went and got a pre-listing report from a local realtor for free (you know, like you're thinking of selling but you're not). That report said $340k. I gave that to the bank's appraiser on his second visit and just asked if he'd seen the comps in it. He ended up coming in at $338k. It took an extra two weeks, but it got me the extra $25k in equity I needed. Has anyone else had luck with giving an appraiser 'homework' like that?