Welcome to the Association of Online Appraiser's supplementary lesson focusing on personal property appraising as done over the Internet. This lesson is used as a supplement to standard appraisal courses of study which do not focus on issues relating to appraising personal property. In addition, this lesson expands upon related information contained in "Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology" by David J. Maloney, AOA CM, a course book and reference guide for all personal property appraiser (Appraisers Press 2007).

With the advent of new Internet technology, the Association of Online Appraisers was born from a recognized need for standards, codes of ethics and educational programs to not only provide a standard body of knowledge for would-be online appraisers, but also to help ensure public confidence in the online appraisal industry. This lesson has been written to help establish and promote professional appraisal standards. Adherence to such standards will improve one's professionalism as well as marketability as an traditional and online appraiser. 

Whether or not to select an online virtual appraisal service as opposed to a traditional, land-based appraisal service is dependent on several factors including:

• Whether the client works directly with the online appraiser or, instead, makes use of an Appraisal Management Company (AMC).
• Whether the property is or is not available for inspection.
• Whether the client is the only user of the appraisal report, or if there are intended users other than the client.
• Whether the intended use of the appraisal and the requirements of intended third party users permit the use of an online appraisal service in which the appraiser is unable to personally inspect the subject property.
• Whether the nature of the subject property makes it suitable for being appraised online.

This flow chart illustrates the above points as well as the following discussion.