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Practice Area

Appraisal Review

Independent evaluation of whether an appraisal defines the assignment correctly and supports its methodology, analysis, and conclusions.

property plans, an aerial image and notes on an unoccupied worktable.
Purpose of Review

Review the work—not the person who prepared it

An appraisal review asks whether the work is credible for its intended use. It may address the identified property interest, effective date, scope of work, highest and best use, market data, comparable selection, adjustments, assumptions, and reconciliation.

The objective is not to count imperfections or criticize reasonable professional judgment. The relevant question is whether material conclusions follow from adequate analysis and support.

Review or Second Appraisal

The assignment determines the answer

A review evaluates another appraiser’s work. Depending on its scope, it may also include the reviewer’s own opinion of value. A separate appraisal develops a value opinion under its own assignment conditions and scope of work.

Bailey Valuation helps the client define which service is needed before the work begins.

What a Review Can Answer

Four questions usually control the assignment

Was the problem defined correctly?Client, intended use, property interest, effective date, assumptions, and assignment conditions must fit the question being answered.
Is the evidence relevant?The data and comparable properties should reflect the subject, market, and effective date rather than merely being available.
Is the analysis supported?Adjustments, methods, and conclusions should be connected to market evidence and explained well enough to be evaluated.
Does the reconciliation make sense?The final opinion should account for the strengths and limitations of the evidence instead of relying on an unexplained average or judgment.
USPAP & Assignment Conditions

A review is a separate assignment

The reviewer’s client, intended users, intended use, scope, effective date, and assignment conditions may differ from those of the appraisal under review. The review must therefore be defined independently.

Depending on the intended use, relevant requirements may include USPAP, law or regulation, client instructions, and conditions imposed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, SBA, or another agency or institution. A review may need to determine whether those requirements were applicable, properly applied, and adequately disclosed.