Do you need to be home for the appraisal visit?

No, the owner does not always need to be there, as long as someone arranges full access to the home.

A standard appraisal for a one unit home on Fannie Mae's Form 1004 is based on an interior and exterior inspection by the appraiser. So the appraiser needs to walk through the inside and around the outside. On a purchase, the listing agent often lets the appraiser in. On a refinance, the owner usually does, though a trusted person with a key can too. If you would like to be there, simply say so when the visit is scheduled.

Every part of the home that forms part of the property being valued.

That means living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, the basement, the garage and any outbuilding on the lot. Unlock doors ahead of time, move anything blocking a hallway or stair, and make sure the lights work so rooms can be seen and photographed clearly. You do not need to stage the house. A tidy, reachable home is plenty.

The tenant usually handles access, so the owner or property manager needs to coordinate early.

A lease and local rules often set how much notice a tenant must get before anyone enters. Let the tenant know an appraisal is coming, share the appraiser's contact details, and confirm the appointment with both sides. Tenanted homes are often the slowest to schedule, largely because the person with the keys has the least reason to hurry. Clear, courteous notice goes a long way.

Secure them before the visit and mention them when the appointment is set.

A friendly dog can still stop a stranger at the door, and a cat slipping out is nobody's idea of a good morning. Crate pets, put them in a closed room the appraiser will not need, or take them out for an hour. Then tell the appraiser which door stays shut and whether that room still needs a quick look.

Yes, if the appraiser has a reliable way in, such as a lockbox code or a key left with an agent.

Double check that the code works, that utilities are on, and that any alarm is set to allow entry. A vacant house with no working code is one of the most common reasons a visit gets rebooked.