Appraisal came back the exact same amount as my asking price

[Deadrick Colbert]

I'm in the process of purchasing a hud home. I thought I was getting a great deal, however the appraisal came back the exact same amount as my offer. The house sold in 2010 for 41k higher than what I offered and it is tax assessed 38k higher than what I offered. There have been no sales in this same neighborhood for over 2 years, so the comps used for this appraisal are several miles away. I just think it is weird that the appraisal came back the exact same price as my offer. Is this normal for hud? 

[Dylan B.]

I personally am frustrated at the fact that the appraiser knows the contract price of the deal.  I constantly see the appraisal come back right at contract price or a few thousand over.  In order for the appraiser to make a fair judgement of what the true market value of the property is, I think they should not be allowed to know the contract price.