Note that the issues and limitations pertaining to online appraisals apply also to traditional appraisals that are also done without the appraiser having the benefit of personally inspecting the property. Instead, in such scenarios the traditional appraiser is also required to rely upon client-provided images (photographs), or, perhaps, if the property has been lost or stolen, on verbal or written descriptions of the property, on pictures from catalogs, or perhaps even on client-provided sketches. In this regard, the online appraisal report and its process is little different from the traditional appraisal process.

As indicated in the flow chart, online appraisal reports are appropriate for many scenarios, but not all. To obtain an appraisal for the balance of intended uses, categories of property, or intended third party users, one must look to the traditional appraiser who can conduct a personal inspection of the subject property, and who can prepare a formal written appraisal report in accordance with recognized standards. If you care to learn more about traditional appraisals, contact one of these societies.