<prompt> Human: I need to get an appraisal to qualify for a HELOC to do a kitchen update. Should I go with the one the bank uses provides or find one of my own? Ive seen so many stories of low appraisals online, that Id like to be sure I have a fair number without much hassle. Thanks!  <response>: What reason would the bank have for lowballing an appraisal? If the appraisal is too low the bank cant make the loan, and nobody gets anything. The bank can only make money out of a loan by issuing the loan. So the banks appraiser has every reason to be objective and give a reasonable valuation. If you are really concerned that an objective third party valuation would materially harm your chances of getting the loan, then that suggests to me that you are borrowing too much money. 