I am an appraiser in the Birmingham market. Something that has started happening lately with the introduction of Appraisal Management Companies (AMC’s)is that appraisers from out of town are doing the appraisal. Thats ok if you know the market but a lot do not. The AMC the bank uses is getting the cheapest appraisal they can and sometimes those appraisers are from out of town. My suggestion is that everyone insist on the appraiser being local so they know the market. If an appraiser calls you up to set up an appointment, ask him/her where they are from and how much work they do in this market. You can insist the lender use a local appraiser. This situation is causing problems in selling homes and the loan closings. Great post by the way.