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The following is but one example of how the required elements of information can be provided in a flowing, logical, complete, and objective fashion. Appraisers should use the format and wording that best suites them and the assignment at hand.

Sample Client Resale Online Appraisal - appraiser working through an appraisal management company.
(Sections in green may require customization.)

This is an online appraisal report prepared on and with the above indicated effective date. This appraisal has been conducted on the client's behalf at the request of the XYZ Company who forwarded me information provided by the client regarding the property that is the subject of this appraisal report. Use of this appraisal report is subject to the Terms of Service as listed on the XYZ Company's web site. 

By agreement between the appraisal management company and the client, the scope of work for this appraisal assignment has been limited to providing an estimate of market value for the function of contemplated sale or purchase, or personal planning. This appraisal is invalid if used for any other purpose. This is a restricted-use appraisal report that can be used only by the client and no one else. The appraiser's opinions and conclusions set forth in this report cannot be understood properly by anyone other than the client without additional information in the appraise's workfile. Due to the requirement for anonymity, this appraiser is unaware of the identity of the client, but assumes the client to be a private party.

Value conclusions are based only on client-provided written descriptions and digital images of the property, and not on a personal inspection of the property by the appraiser. Accordingly, this appraisal may have made use of extraordinary assumptions, any one of which if inaccurate could render the value conclusions inaccurate. The appraiser has determined that this appraisal process is not so limited that the reported results would tend to mislead the client or intended users. The client is aware that the resulting value conclusions may be less reliable than had the property been personally inspected.  For greater reliability and for appraisal uses other than that listed above, it is suggested that the client submit the property to a qualified appraiser for a personal inspection.

This appraisal report offers an opinion of market value which is defined as the most probable amount of money a buyer would pay and a seller would receive for an item within an identified market. The appraiser has used what s/he considers to be the most common market for the subject property, and assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of all relevant facts. Values given do not take into account expenses that might be incurred in selling or purchasing the property such as sales commissions, finders fees, shipping, photography, or insurance costs.

In this appraisal, value has been established by the sales comparison approach. This method of valuation involves comparison of the property with similar items which have sold within the retail market that I considered most common for the subject property. This approach makes use of data obtained from that market including sales at retail stores and live/online auctions, price guides, opinions of other experts, or other personal observations. Unless otherwise noted, markets explored appeared to be balanced and stable.

The condition of the property being appraised is as noted above. Condition is based on client-provided descriptions and from what is apparent from examination of the image(s) provided. Unless otherwise stated, the appraisal is based only on the readily apparent identity of the item being appraised. No further guarantee of authenticity, genuineness, attribution or authorship is represented.

For appraisals being done for contemplated sale, the appraised value is based upon the whole interest and possessory interest of the owner, undiminished by any liens, fractional interests or any other form of encumbrance or alienation. However, this appraisal is not an indication or certificate of title or ownership.

The value conclusions expressed herein are based on the appraiser's best judgment and opinion and are not a representation or warranty that the items will realize those values if offered for sale at auction or otherwise. The values expressed are based on current information as of the date the appraisal was made. 

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

• Statements of fact contained in this report are true and correct.
• The reported analyses, opinions, and conclusions are limited only by the reported extraordinary assumptions and limiting conditions, and are my personal, impartial, and unbiased professional analyses, opinions, and conclusions. I have no undisclosed past, present or contemplated future financial interest in the property that is the subject of this report, and no undisclosed 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 this appraisal 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.
• This appraisal has been prepared in conformity with The Appraisal Foundation’s Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and with the Appraisal Report Writing Standards and Code of Ethics of the Association of Online Appraisers.
• My inspection of the property that is the subject of this appraisal was limited to client-provided descriptions and digital images and/or photographs. In my opinion, this limiting condition did not prevent me from preparing this report in a complete and professional manner.
• Unless noted elsewhere, no one provided significant personal property appraisal assistance to the person signing this report.

Possession of this report does not carry with it the right of publication. Furthermore, no change to this appraisal shall be made by anyone other than myself. In accordance with the terms of service, I regard information concerning this appraisal as confidential. My qualifications to conduct this appraisal are listed here. [Insert link to appraiser's professional profile.]

This appraisal is kept on file for a period of five (5) years from the date of the appraisal. During that time the Client can verify the appraiser's electronic signature by contacting the appraisal manager of this site. [Insert email link to appraisal manager.]

Sincerely,

John Q. Appraiser

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© 2000-2007 -- David J. Maloney, Jr., AOA CM