Should I walk around with the appraiser?

You don’t need to walk around with the appraiser. Their job is to come up with an independent value for your home, so it’s best to give them space. Just make sure your home looks its best and that your Realtor gives them a list of updates and recent sales, (in case the appraiser missed one or two), to help support the value. Usually, the listing agent meets them and answers any questions.

An appraisal isn’t like a buyer showing, so you don’t need to disappear, but you also don’t want to hover. The appraiser’s job is to objectively assess the condition and features of your property compared to recent sales. It’s perfectly appropriate to greet them, provide any pertinent information (such as a list of recent upgrades or permits) and answer questions, then give them space to walk through and take measurements. If you have pets or small children, it’s best to secure them so the appraiser can move freely and focus on their work. Staying out of the way but remaining available if they need clarification strikes the right balance; most appraisers appreciate homeowners who are organized, cooperative and not overly intrusive.

If you have a list of improvements made in the last 2-3 years, like roof, windows, mechanical/HVAC, flooring etc. These can all impact your value. This allows the appraiser to know exactly what and the cost of the improvements.
Now this can only aid in their research and valuation - there is no need to interact with them. Your agent should have asked these questions and left this list so they have it as a reference.

You don’t need to follow the appraiser during the entire visit, but you should be present and available. Think of it as a balance between being helpful and giving them space to work.

Here’s the Best Approach
1. Be There to Greet Them

Welcome the appraiser when they arrive, introduce yourself, and offer a quick overview of the home. Have any upgrades, updates, or improvements written down, things like a new roof, furnace, windows, or finished basement. This gives them helpful context before they start.

2. Give Them Space to Do Their Job

Once the inspection begins, let them move through the home freely. Appraisers need to measure rooms, take photos, and make notes without distraction. Hovering can unintentionally add pressure or slow them down.

3. Be Available for Questions

Stay nearby in case they want to ask about property details, utility systems, or updates. You can stay in one area (like the kitchen or living room) so they know where to find you.

4. Provide Key Documents

If you have a list of recent improvements, permits, or a copy of a recent survey or floor plan, offer it at the start or end of the visit. These details help ensure your home’s full value is represented.

5. Keep the Home Clean and Well Lit

It’s not a showing, but first impressions still matter. A tidy home communicates pride of ownership, which can positively influence how your property is perceived.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to follow the appraiser, but being polite, prepared, and available goes a long way. Offer your information up front, then give them room to complete their inspection efficiently.

Probably not. The appraiser needs quiet time to focus, without distraction or pressure to move from one room to another. Most of them do not like to be accompanied, even by your Realtor, and it's always a good idea to keep all the people in your transaction's eco-system, on your good side. That said, a listing agent should provide the appraiser with a package of comparable properties, a detailed list of recent updates, and a brief synopsis of how the transaction went - if there were multiple offers, that's especially important for the appraiser to know. If someone has to be there, that's ok but not preferred; just advise them to stay out of the appraiser's way.

Great question—and you’re not the first to wonder if you should “tour-guide” the appraiser like it’s an open house. Short answer: as the buyer, you typically do not attend the appraisal. Here’s the California-practical breakdown I can share with you.
The quick take
It’s not a showing. The appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm value for the loan. The appraiser needs quiet, independent time.
Who’s there? Usually the listing agent (or seller) provides access. I coordinate details from the buyer side and make sure the appraiser has what they need through the proper channels.
Should you walk around with them? No need. Shadowing can feel like pressure and isn’t helpful. Think of it like a home inspection’s opposite: you went deep; now they work independently.
What I do for you (behind the scenes)
I make sure the appraiser gets a clean info packet—usually via the listing side or lender portal—including:
Executed purchase contract (terms, credits, concessions)
Recent, relevant comps and a brief market note (why our comp set makes sense)
And information on Pending Sales as well.
Upgrade/permit highlights the seller provided (roof, HVAC, kitchen, solar details/lease, ADU, etc.)
HOA facts (dues, amenities, special assessments), if applicable
Access notes (detached garage, attic/crawlspace, outbuildings) to avoid missed areas that could affect value.
After the appraisal

Timeline: The report goes back to the lender first. Your loan officer provides results.

If value comes in low: We have options. Common paths:

Request a reconsideration of value with stronger comps/clarifications.

Renegotiate price or credits with the seller.

Adjust loan structure (LTV/DP), or in some cases consider a second opinion depending on loan type and lender policy.
I hope you found this as useful information.

Hi Ben. You should not be home when the appraiser comes. If you need to let him in, then just step away while he/she is working. They will need to take pictures of everything as well. If they have any questions to clarify anything they see, they can ask you but really you should not be home. I do highly recommend that your listing agent be onsite and available to the appraiser. It's ultimately their job to defend the purchase price. Best of luck to you!

My role is to have the home ready for the appraisal as if it was a showing. I also provide a list of upgrades and then stay out of the way

As a Seller, no that is not your role but I do feel that your agent should be present, supply comps and show why your home should be valued at the sales price or above. This is a time your agent should "sell" your home again.