The AOA Appraisal Report Writing Standard

Appraisal reports prepared by AOA members shall include, at a minimum:

• The identity of the client
• The identity of any intended users of the report
• The intended use of the report
• A statement as to whether the appraisal report is a restricted-use, summary or self-contained report as defined by USPAP
• The identity of the subject property including its physical and economic property characteristics as relevant to the assignment
• A statement as to the property interest being valued
• An identification of the type and definition of the type of value being used as well as the source of the definition
• The effective date of the appraisal and the date of the report
• A disclosure of the "scope of work," i.e., a statement of the appraisal procedures used; the extent of inspection and the extent of research and analysis actually performed
• The approach to value employed as well as those discarded
• The market or market level explored
• Any extraordinary assumptions made or limiting conditions encountered including a statement that their use might have affected the assignment results
• The final value opinions
• A signed USPAP certification statement similar to the following:
  
  "I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief:
  1. Statements of fact contained in this report are true and correct.
  2. 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.
  3. I have no bias with respect to the property that is the subject of this report or to the parties involved with this assignment.
  4. My engagement in this assignment was not contingent upon developing or reporting predetermined results.
  5. 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.
  6. My analyses, opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report has been prepared, in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
  7. I have (or have not) made a personal inspection of the property that is the subject of this report.
  8. No one provided significant personal property appraisal assistance to the person signing this report. (If there are exceptions, the name of each individual providing significant professional assistance must be stated.)"