STANDARD 2: REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL, REPORTING

 

In reporting the results of a real property appraisal, an appraiser must communicate each analysis, opinion, and conclusion in a manner that is not misleading.

 

Comment: STANDARD 2 addresses the content and level of information required in a report that communicates the results of a real property appraisal.

 

STANDARD 2 does not dictate the form, format, or style of real property appraisal reports. The form, format, and style of a report are functions of the needs of intended users and appraisers. The substantive content of a report determines its compliance.

 

Standards Rule 2-1

 

Each written or oral real property appraisal report must:

 

(a)

clearly and accurately set forth the appraisal in a manner that will not be misleading;

 

(b)

contain sufficient information to enable the intended users of the appraisal to understand the report properly; and 

(c)

clearly and accurately disclose all assumptions, extraordinary assumptions, hypothetical conditions, and limiting conditions used in the assignment.

 

Standards Rule 2-2

 

Each written real property appraisal report must be prepared under one of the following three options and prominently state which option is used: Self-Contained Appraisal Report, Summary Appraisal Report, or Restricted Use Appraisal Report. 16

 

Comment: When the intended users include parties other than the client, either a Self-Contained Appraisal Report or a Summary Appraisal Report must be provided. When the intended users do not include parties other than the client, a Restricted Use Appraisal Report may be provided.

The essential difference among these three options is in the content and level of information provided. The appropriate reporting option and the level of information necessary in the report are dependent on the intended use and the intended users.

An appraiser must use care when characterizing the type of report and level of information communicated upon completion of an assignment. An appraiser may use any other label in addition to, but not in place of, the label set forth in this Standard for the type of report provided.

The report content and level of information requirements set forth in this Standard are minimums for each type of report. An appraiser must supplement a report form, when necessary, to ensure that any intended user of the appraisal is not misled and that the report complies with the applicable content requirements set forth in this Standards Rule.

A party receiving a copy of a Self-Contained Appraisal Report, Summary Appraisal Report, or Restricted Use Appraisal Report in order to satisfy disclosure requirements does not become an intended user of the appraisal unless the appraiser identifies such party as an intended user as part of the assignment.

(a)

The content of a Self-Contained Appraisal Report must be consistent with the intended use of the appraisal and, at a minimum:

(i)

state the identity of the client and any intended users, by name or type; 17

Comment: An appraiser must use care when identifying the client to ensure a clear understanding and to avoid violations of the Confidentiality section of the ETHICS RULE. In those rare instances when the client wishes to remain anonymous, an appraiser must still document the identity of the client in the workfile but may omit the clients identity in the report.

Intended users of the report might include parties such as lenders, employees of government agencies, partners of a client, and a clients attorney and accountant.

(ii)

state the intended use of the appraisal; 18
 

(iii)

describe information sufficient to identify the real estate involved in the appraisal, including the physical and economic property characteristics relevant to the assignment; 19

Comment: The real estate involved in the appraisal can be specified, for example, by a legal description, address, map reference, copy of a survey or map, property sketch and/or photographs or the like. The information can include a property sketch and photographs in addition to written comments about the legal, physical, and economic attributes of the real estate relevant to the type and definition of value and intended use of the appraisal.

(iv)

state the real property interest appraised;
 

Comment: The statement of the real property rights being appraised must be substantiated, as needed, by copies or summaries of title descriptions or other documents that set forth any known encumbrances.

(v)

state the type and definition of value and cite the source of the definition;
 

Comment: Stating the definition of value also requires any comments needed to clearly indicate to intended users how the definition is being applied.20

When reporting an opinion of market value, state whether the opinion of value is:

  • in terms of cash or of financing terms equivalent to cash, or

  • based on non-market financing or financing with unusual conditions or incentives.

When an opinion of market value is not in terms of cash or based on financing terms equivalent to cash, summarize the terms of such financing and explain their contributions to or negative influence on value.

(vi)

state the effective date of the appraisal and the date of the report; 21

 

Comment: The effective date of the appraisal establishes the context for the value opinion, while the date of the report indicates whether the perspective of the appraiser on the market or property use conditions as of the effective date of the appraisal was prospective, current, or retrospective.

Reiteration of the date of the report and the effective date of the appraisal at various stages of the report in tandem is important for the clear understanding of the reader whenever market or property use conditions on the date of the report are different from such conditions on the effective date of the appraisal.

(vii)

describe the scope of work used to develop the appraisal; 22
 

Comment: Because intended users reliance on an appraisal may be affected by the scope of work, the report must enable them to be properly informed and not misled. Sufficient information includes disclosure of research and analyses performed and might also include disclosure of research and analyses not performed.

 

When any portion of the work involves significant real property appraisal assistance, the appraiser must describe the extent of that assistance. The signing appraiser must also state the name(s) of those providing the significant real property appraisal assistance in the certification, in accordance with SR 2-3.

(viii)

describe the information analyzed, the appraisal methods and techniques employed, and the reasoning that supports the analyses, opinions, and conclusions; exclusion of the sales comparison approach, cost approach, or income approach must be explained;

 

Comment: A Self-Contained Appraisal Report must include sufficient information to indicate that the appraiser complied with the requirements of STANDARD 1. The amount of detail required will vary with the significance of the information to the appraisal.

 

The appraiser must provide sufficient information to enable the client and intended users to understand the rationale for the opinions and conclusions, including reconciliation of the data and approaches, in accordance with Standards Rule 1-6.

 

When reporting an opinion of market value, a summary of the results of analyzing the subject sales, options, and listings in accordance with Standards Rule 1-5 is required. If such information is unobtainable, a statement on the efforts undertaken by the appraiser to obtain the information is required. If such information is irrelevant, a statement acknowledging the existence of the information and citing its lack of relevance is required.

(ix)

state the use of the real estate existing as of the date of value and the use of the real estate reflected in the appraisal; and, when an opinion of highest and best use was developed by the appraiser, describe the support and rationale for that opinion;
 

(x)

clearly and conspicuously:

  • state all extraordinary assumptions and hypothetical conditions; and

  • state that their use might have affected the assignment results; and

 

Comment: The report must contain the appraisers opinion as to the highest and best use of the real estate, unless an opinion as to highest and best use is unnecessary, such as in insurance valuation or value in use appraisals. When reporting an opinion of market value, the appraisers support and rationale for the opinion of highest and best use is required. The appraisers reasoning in support of the opinion must be provided in the depth and detail required by its significance to the appraisal.
 

(xi)

include a signed certification in accordance with Standards Rule 2-3.

(b)

The content of a Summary Appraisal Report must be consistent with the intended use of the appraisal and, at a minimum:

Comment: The essential difference between the Self-Contained Appraisal Report and the Summary Appraisal Report is the level of detail of presentation.

(i)

state the identity of the client and any intended users, by name or type; 23
 

Comment: An appraiser must use care when identifying the client to ensure a clear understanding and to avoid violations of the Confidentiality section of the ETHICS RULE. In those rare instances when the client wishes to remain anonymous, an appraiser must still document the identity of the client in the workfile but may omit the clients identity in the report.

 

Intended users of the report might include parties such as lenders, employees of government agencies, partners of a client, and a clients attorney and accountant.
 

(ii)

state the intended use of the appraisal; 24
 

(iii)

summarize information sufficient to identify the real estate involved in the appraisal, including the physical and economic property characteristics relevant to the assignment; 25

Comment: The real estate involved in the appraisal can be specified, for example, by a legal description, address, map reference, copy of a survey or map, property sketch, and/or photographs or the like. The summarized information can include a property sketch and photographs in addition to written comments about the legal, physical, and economic attributes of the real estate relevant to the type and definition of value and intended use of the appraisal.

(iv)

state the real property interest appraised;
 

Comment: The statement of the real property rights being appraised must be substantiated, as needed, by copies or summaries of title descriptions or other documents that set forth any known encumbrances.

(v)

state the type and definition of value and cite the source of the definition;
 

Comment: Stating the definition of value also requires any comments needed to clearly indicate to the intended users how the definition is being applied. 26

When reporting an opinion of market value, state whether the opinion of value is:

  • in terms of cash or of financing terms equivalent to cash, or

  • based on non-market financing or financing with unusual conditions or incentives.

When an opinion of market value is not in terms of cash or based on financing terms equivalent to cash, summarize the terms of such financing and explain their contributions to or negative influence on value.

(vi)

state the effective date of the appraisal and the date of the report; 27
 

Comment: The effective date of the appraisal establishes the context for the value opinion, while the date of the report indicates whether the perspective of the appraiser on the market or property use conditions as of the effective date of the appraisal was prospective, current, or retrospective.

 

Reiteration of the date of the report and the effective date of the appraisal at various stages of the report in tandem is important for the clear understanding of the reader whenever market or property use conditions on the date of the report are different from such conditions on the effective date of the appraisal.

(vii)

summarize sufficient information to disclose to the client and any intended users of the appraisal the scope of work used to develop the appraisal; 28
 

Comment: Because intended users reliance on an appraisal may be affected by the scope of work, the report must enable them to be properly informed and not misled. Sufficient information includes disclosure of research and analyses performed and might also include disclosure of research and analyses not performed.

 

When any portion of the work involves significant real property appraisal assistance, the appraiser must summarize the extent of that assistance. The signing appraiser must also state the name(s) of those providing the significant real property appraisal assistance in the certification, in accordance with SR 2-3.

 

(viii)

summarize the information analyzed, the appraisal methods and techniques employed, and the reasoning that supports the analyses, opinions, and conclusions; exclusion of the sales comparison approach, cost approach, or income approach must be explained;

Comment: A Summary Appraisal Report must include sufficient information to indicate that the appraiser complied with the requirements of STANDARD 1. The amount of detail required will vary with the significance of the information to the appraisal.

 

The appraiser must provide sufficient information to enable the client and intended users to understand the rationale for the opinions and conclusions, including reconciliation of the data and approaches, in accordance with Standards Rule 1-6.

 

When reporting an opinion of market value, a summary of the results of analyzing the subject sales, options, and listings in accordance with Standards Rule 1-5 is required. If such information is unobtainable, a statement on the efforts undertaken by the appraiser to obtain the information is required. If such information is irrelevant, a statement acknowledging the existence of the information and citing its lack of relevance is required.

(ix)

state the use of the real estate existing as of the date of value and the use of the real estate reflected in the appraisal; and, when an opinion of highest and best use was developed by the appraiser, summarize the support and rationale for that opinion;

(x)

clearly and conspicuously:

  • state all extraordinary assumptions and hypothetical conditions; and

  • state that their use might have affected the assignment results; and

(xi)

include a signed certification in accordance with Standards Rule 2-3.

(c)

The content of a Restricted Use Appraisal Report must be consistent with the intended use of the appraisal and, at a minimum:

(i)

state the identity of the client, by name or type;  and state a prominent use restriction that limits use of the report to the client and warns that the appraisers opinions and conclusions set forth in the report may not be understood properly without additional information in the appraisers workfile; 29

Comment: An appraiser must use care when identifying the client to ensure a clear understanding and to avoid violations of the Confidentiality section of the ETHICS RULE. In those rare instances when the client wishes to remain anonymous, an appraiser must still document the identity of the client in the workfile but may omit the clients identity in the report.

The Restricted Use Appraisal Report is for client use only. Before entering into an agreement, the appraiser should establish with the client the situations where this type of report is to be used and should ensure that the client understands the restricted utility of the Restricted Use Appraisal Report.

(ii)

state the intended use of the appraisal; 30
 

Comment: The intended use of the appraisal must be consistent with the limitation on use of the Restricted Use Appraisal Report option in this Standards Rule (i.e., client use only).

(iii)

state information sufficient to identify the real estate involved in the appraisal: 31
 

Comment: The real estate involved in the appraisal can be specified, for example, by a legal description, address, map reference, copy of a survey or map, property sketch, and/or photographs or the like.

(iv)

state the real property interest appraised;
 

(v)

state the type of value, and cite the source of its definition; 32

(vi)

state the effective date of the appraisal and the date of the report; 33
 

Comment: The effective date of the appraisal establishes the context for the value opinion, while the date of the report indicates whether the perspective of the appraiser on the market or property use conditions as of the effective date of the appraisal was prospective, current, or retrospective.

(vii)

state the scope of work used to develop the appraisal; 34

Comment: Because the clients reliance on an appraisal may be affected by the scope of work, the report must enable them to be properly informed and not misled. Sufficient information includes disclosure of research and analyses performed and might also include disclosure of research and analyses not performed.

 

When any portion of the work involves significant real property appraisal assistance, the appraiser must state the extent of that assistance. The signing appraiser must also state the name(s) of those providing the significant real property appraisal assistance in the certification, in accordance with SR 2-3.

 

(viii)

state the appraisal methods and techniques employed, state the value opinion(s) and conclusion(s) reached, and reference the workfile; exclusion of the sales comparison approach, cost approach, or income approach must be explained;

 

Comment:  An appraiser must maintain a specific, coherent workfile in support of a Restricted Use Appraisal Report. The contents of the workfile must include sufficient information to indicate that the appraiser complied with the requirements of STANDARD 1 and for the appraiser to produce a Summary Appraisal Report. The file must be available for inspection by the client (or the clients representatives, such as those engaged to complete an appraisal review), state enforcement agencies, such third parties as may be authorized by due process of law, and a duly authorized professional peer review committee except when such disclosure to a committee would violate applicable law or regulation.

 

When reporting an opinion of market value, information analyzed in compliance with Standards Rule 1-5 is significant information that must be disclosed in a Restricted Use Appraisal Report. If such information is unobtainable, a statement on the efforts undertaken by the appraiser to obtain the information is required. If such information is irrelevant, a statement acknowledging the existence of the information and citing its lack of relevance is required.

(ix)

state the use of the real estate existing as of the date of value and the use of the real estate reflected in the appraisal; and, when an opinion of highest and best use was developed by the appraiser, state that opinion;

 

(x)

clearly and conspicuously:

  • state all extraordinary assumptions and hypothetical conditions; and

  • state that their use might have affected the assignment results; and

(xi)

include a signed certification in accordance with Standards Rule 2-3.

 

 

 

Standards Rule 2-3

Each written real property appraisal report must contain a signed certification that is similar in content to the following form:

 

I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief:
 

the statements of fact contained in this report are true and correct.
 

the reported analyses, opinions, and conclusions are limited only by the reported assumptions and limiting conditions and are my personal, impartial, and unbiased professional analyses, opinions, and conclusions.

I have no (or the specified) present or prospective interest in the property that is the subject of this report and no (or the specified) personal interest with respect to the parties involved.

I have no bias with respect to the property that is the subject of this report or to the parties involved with this assignment.

my engagement in this assignment was not contingent upon developing or reporting predetermined results.

my compensation for completing this assignment is not contingent upon the development or reporting of a predetermined value or direction in value that favors the cause of the client, the amount of the value opinion, the attainment of a stipulated result, or the occurrence of a subsequent event directly related to the intended use of this appraisal.

my analyses, opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report has been prepared, in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
 

I have (or have not) made a personal inspection of the property that is the subject of this report. (If more than one person signs this certification, the certification must clearly specify which individuals did and which individuals did not make a personal inspection of the appraised property.) 35

no one provided significant real property appraisal assistance to the person signing this certification. (If there are exceptions, the name of each individual providing significant real property appraisal assistance must be stated.)

Comment: A signed certification is an integral part of the appraisal report. An appraiser who signs any part of the appraisal report, including a letter of transmittal, must also sign this certification.

In an assignment that includes only assignment results developed by the real property appraiser(s), any appraiser(s) who signs a certification accepts full responsibility for all elements of the certification, for the assignment results, and for the contents of the appraisal report.  In an assignment that includes personal property, business or intangible asset assignment results not developed by the real property appraiser(s), any real property appraiser(s) who signs a certification accepts full responsibility for the real property elements of the certification, for the real property assignment results, and for the real property contents of the appraisal report.

When a signing appraiser(s) has relied on work done by others who do not sign the certification, the signing appraiser is responsible for the decision to rely on their work. The signing appraiser(s) is required to have a reasonable basis for believing that those individuals performing the work are competent and that their work is credible.36

The names of individuals providing significant real property appraisal assistance who do not sign a certification must be stated in the certification. It is not required that the description of their assistance be contained in the certification, but disclosure of their assistance is required in accordance with SR 2-2(a), (b), or (c)(vii), as applicable.

 

Standards Rule 2-4

To the extent that it is both possible and appropriate, an oral real property appraisal report must address the substantive matters set forth in Standards Rule 2-2(b).

Comment:See the Record Keeping section of the ETHICS RULE for corresponding requirements.

 


16.

See Advisory Opinion 11, Content of the Appraisal Report Options of Standards Rules 2-2 and 8-2, and Advisory Opinion 12, Use of the Appraisal Report Options of Standards Rules 2-2 and 8-2.  References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

17.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

18.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

19.

See Advisory Opinion 2, Inspection of Subject Property, and Advisory Opinion 23, Identifying the Relevant Characteristics of the Subject Property of a Real Property Appraisal Assignment.  References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.  

20.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 6, Reasonable Exposure Time in Real Property and Personal Property Market Value Opinions.  See also Advisory Opinion 7, Marketing Time Opinions, and Advisory Opinion 22, Scope of Work in Market Value Appraisal Assignments, Real Property.  References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

21.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 3, Retrospective Value Opinions, and Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 4, Prospective Value Opinions.

22.

See Advisory Opinion 28, Scope of Work Decision, Performance, and Disclosure and Advisory Opinion 29, An Acceptable Scope of Work. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

23.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

24.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

25.

See Advisory Opinion 2, Inspection of Subject Property, and Advisory Opinion 23, Identifying the Relevant Characteristics of the Subject Property of a Real Property Appraisal Assignment. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

26.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 6, Reasonable Exposure Time in Real Property and Personal Property Market Value Opinions.  See also Advisory Opinion 7, Marketing Time Opinions, and Advisory Opinion 22, Scope of Work in Market Value Appraisal Assignments, Real Property. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

27.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 3, Retrospective Value Opinions, and Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 4, Prospective Value Opinions.

28.

See Advisory Opinion 28, Scope of Work Decision, Performance, and Disclosure, and Advisory Opinion 29, An Acceptable Scope of Work. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

29.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

30.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9, Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

31.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 6 (SMT-6).).  See also Advisory Opinions AO-7 and AO-8.  References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into the Standards Rules.

32.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 6, Reasonable Exposure Time in Real Property and Personal Property Market Value Opinions. See also Advisory Opinion 7, Marketing Time Opinions, and Advisory Opinion 22, Scope of Work in Market Value Appraisal Assignments, Real Property. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

33.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 3, Retrospective Value Opinions, and Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 4, Prospective Value Opinions.

34.

See Advisory Opinions 28, Scope of Work Decision, Performance, and Disclosure, and Advisory Opinion  29, An Acceptable Scope of Work. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

35.

See Advisory Opinion 2, Inspection of Subject Property. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.  

36.

See Advisory Opinion 5, Assistance in the Preparation of an Appraisal. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

 

 

 

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