Can I block specific individuals, like my sibling’s friend, from attending a home appraisal? – North Carolina

Short Answer

Yes. In North Carolina, you control who enters your home. You may allow a licensed appraiser to access the property while barring any specific person (such as a sibling’s friend or a particular agent). If a lender requires an interior appraisal, you can set reasonable conditions, reschedule, and insist that only the appraiser (and any necessary trainee) attend. No one may force entry without your consent or a court order.

Understanding the Problem

You want to know if you can keep a specific person from attending a lender-scheduled home appraisal at your North Carolina home. The question is whether you, as the homeowner, can say “the appraiser may enter, but not that individual,” especially where the individual is your sibling’s friend.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, the person with lawful possession of a home controls access. An appraiser generally needs the owner’s consent to enter. You may set reasonable conditions on access, including who may accompany the appraiser. Unauthorized entry after you say “no” can be trespass. In limited situations involving estates, a court order from the Clerk of Superior Court can authorize a personal representative to take possession or eject occupants; absent such an order, third parties have no automatic right to access. When value is disputed, using an independent, licensed appraiser and providing market data is a standard way to address concerns about undervaluation.

Key Requirements

• Owner consent controls entry: You may admit the licensed appraiser while refusing access to any specific individual.
• Reasonable conditions: You can require advance notice, photo ID, and that only the appraiser (and any registered trainee) enter, not friends or unrelated observers.
• No forced entry without authority: Without your consent or a court order, entry is not permitted; unauthorized entry can constitute trespass.
• Estate-only exception: If the property is part of an estate and a court authorizes a personal representative to take possession, that court order can control access; bona fide tenants must be addressed through landlord-tenant procedures.
• Challenging a low value: You may request a reconsideration of value from the lender with better comps and/or hire an independent appraisal to support market value.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.13 (Second-degree trespass) – Entry or remaining on property after being told not to is trespass.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.12 (First-degree trespass) – Entry into enclosed/secured premises without consent is trespass.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-13-3 (Personal representative’s possession of estate real property) – In estate cases, a court may authorize possession or ejectment; tenants require landlord-tenant procedures.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You may permit the appraiser to enter while clearly barring your sibling’s friend from attending. Give written notice that only the licensed appraiser (and any registered trainee) may enter. If you believe the appraisal undervalues the home compared to a nearby sale, request a reconsideration of value with better comparable sales and consider hiring an independent, licensed appraiser for a second opinion.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: No court filing is required. Where: N/A. What: Send written instructions to the agent and appraiser limiting access to the appraiser (and trainee, if any) only; request photo ID at entry. When: Do this as soon as you receive the appraisal notice and before the appointment.
2. Confirm the appointment window and your conditions in writing. Be present for the appraisal if you prefer. Keep a record (emails/texts) of your instructions and the appraiser’s acknowledgment. This typically occurs within a few days of scheduling.
3. If the value seems low, promptly submit a reconsideration of value to the lender with stronger comps and corrections. In parallel, retain an independent, licensed appraiser to produce a full report you can share with the lender. Timelines vary by lender.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Court-ordered access: In an estate case, a court order can authorize a personal representative to control possession and remove occupants. That order overrides refusal, except that bona fide tenants are handled under landlord-tenant law.
• Blocking the appraiser entirely: Refusing all access can delay or derail financing. Be clear you are excluding specific individuals, not the appraiser.
• Notice clarity: Give written notice naming who is barred, and post a simple “private property—appointment only” sign to avoid confusion.
• Tenant-occupied property: If a tenant lawfully occupies the home, the tenant controls day-to-day access subject to the lease; coordinate conditions through the tenant.

Talk to a Real Estate Attorney

If you’re dealing with short-notice appraisal access and want to exclude specific individuals while keeping your loan on track, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.