If you've been following the constant changes in the world of home-buying, then you've probably heard of the HVCC, or Home Valuation Code of Conduct. It affects appraisals and boy, is it getting people talking. The idea behind HVCC is that if you keep the lender from having contact with the appraiser then they can't influence the appraiser to inflate a home's value. Appraisals must now go through third-party providers, who hire an independant appraiser to do the work. Critics say there is a major flaw in the system because the jobs end up going to the lowest bidders; appraisers who aren't necessarily familiar with the neighborhood or comps where they are working, resulting in a lower appraisal than is appropriate.

In light of the changes in how appraisals are regulated, it's more important than ever that you do your part as a homeowner to be sure that you get a fair appraisal, whether you're selling or refinancing. Here are a few tips, as seen in Money Magazine, to help you get there.

1. Know the rules; understand the flaws. Get familiar with HVCC and all the hoopla surrounding it. If you have the information, you'll be better equipped to deal with your appraiser and assist him/her during the process.
2. A little bit of detective work goes a long way. A big part of an appraisal is the recent sale price of the comps. Numbers may not lie, but it helps to know the circumstances surrounding especially low sale prices. If you happen to know that a divorce or job relocation was behind a sale, then share that information with your appraiser.
3. A clean house can help your numbers. Appraisers are only human and let's face it, most of us reward cleanliness and frown upon messiness. Spiff your house (and your yard!) up before the appraisal so that you're putting your best foot forward.
4. Be your home's biggest cheerleader. Put together a list of its best attributes (including location!) and any upgrades you've done since your last appraisal. An appraiser under time pressure can miss things and they'll appreciate the heads-up on the good stuff.
5. Get a copy. Lenders are required to give you a copy of your appraisal. If you feel like the numbers aren't where they should be, take a closer look at the details. If there are errors in stats like square footage, contact the appraiser directly to request that the mistake be corrected.