How should I prepare for a home appraisal when refinancing?

The lender orders the appraisal, you pay for it as part of the financing, and you cannot choose the appraiser. To prepare, focus on condition and documentation: the appraiser will note the home's overall condition, recent renovations, amenities, location, and size, and compare them with recent sales of similar nearby homes. Keep records of any upgrades, including receipts and photos, ready in case you need to support the value through a reconsideration-of-value request.