A home is the benchmark investment of many people's life. Whether expanding your current home, purchasing a vacation home, or investing in additional property each step of the process is complex and challenging if done on your own. There are multiple parties involved in the transaction generally starting with the Real Estate Agent. The mortgage broker will play a role, but in the end, who is there to insure that the value of the property is supporting the transaction? An appraisal is the supported estimate of what a buyer should be responsible for paying or a seller in receiving. The role you play should require an independent certified opinion from an appraiser to solidify your investment. By using a company that does not profit from the sale of your house, you guarantee that the incentives otherwise felt to increase or decrease the value will not leave you, the consumer, with bad debt or unmanageable properties.