Is an appraisal lender-specific?

[dr.girlfriend]

Okay, forgive me because I may not be entirely clear what I'm asking.

Our original finance and refinance was with Wells Fargo. Now, however, Wells Fargo is only offering a refi rate of 3.125%, while other places are sending me GFEs fro 2.875% with similar fees. Now, maybe those places will evaporate once I try to move forward, but just in case I want to shop around...

I'm not sure how my home will appraise. It kept its value when we refi'd in 2009, but recent sales in my area have been scary. Is it possible for me to get an appraisal to see where we stand, and then use that appraisal for shopping around with different lenders? Or do I have to pick a lender first, pay all their fees, use their appraiser, and then be SOL if the house doesn't appraise at less than 80% LTV?

[6fsn]

My understanding is that each lender has a list of approved appraisers, but the person could be approved for various lenders.

[Melissa W.]

The main thing is that the appraisal isn't addressed to you but to a bank. (At least that was my experience when I worked in banking.)