Appraisals can be great! They are especially helpful for unique properties like lots of land, large bedroom count, etc. With that said, it's an opinion of value, based on that day. That means there are two things to keep in mind: - it's one (licensed) persons opinion - Market conditions change, and sometimes quickly. Often times consulting with a real estate agent is the best option. Just like any profession, do your homework on the agent and find one you trust.