Interest rates are at historically low rates. Buyers and homeowners are trying to take advantage of this, by purchasing a home or refinancing their home. The appraisal process can make selling or refinancing your home difficult in this market. One third of real estate agents have recently seen lower than expected appraisals hinder home sales, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. In many cases the sale was cancelled or the sales price was renegotiated to a lower sale price because of the low appraisal value.The National Association of Realtors say problems can arise because appraisers, employed by appraisal management companies, do not always have adequate experience in a neighborhood.It is important for a listing agent to meet the appraiser at the time of the inspection, provide comparable sales and be certain that the appraiser is familiar with the area. In areas such as Valley Village, it is important that the appraiser knows the value of having a home located in the Colfax Charter School District. Or in Studio City, the impact that being in Carpenter Elementary school has on the value. If an agent is not comfortable with an appraiser, they can reject them and ask the lender to assign one that is familiar with the area where the house is located. This is the same for homeowners getting an appraisal on the home for a refinance.