What is the legal effect of an electronic signature?

Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws adopted in most states; the form is valid if intent, consent, attribution, and retrievability are satisfied.

Can the Appraisal Information Form be e-signed?

Yes, except where a specific statute requires a handwritten or notarized signature. Confirm whether the intended user or state requires additional authentication or a notarial act.

Who must sign the form?

The ordering party or authorized agent completes client fields; the appraiser signs the certification and provides license details. Signers must be identified clearly to establish attribution.

Is notarization required for appraisals?

Not typically required for mortgage or valuation reports; some transactions or state agencies may request notarized certifications—check state rules and client requirements before notarizing.

What if key fields are missing or inconsistent?

Missing or inconsistent data can invalidate the assignment, trigger rework, or cause underwriting rejection. Verify property identifiers, intended use, and inspection notes before finalizing.

How long should I keep completed forms?

Retain completed appraisal records per applicable standards: generally at least 3 years (IRC §6501(a) for IRS-related records) and longer if HIPAA or state law requires it.

Electronic Signature
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Miscellaneous
Appraisal Information Form

Appraisal Information Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

APPRAISAL INFORMATION FORM

Client Name: Appraiser Name:

Client Contact Address Appraiser Contact Information

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client requires a real property appraisal and has engaged Appraiser to prepare an appraisal report for the property located at:

WHEREAS, Appraiser represents that Appraiser is duly qualified and will perform appraisal services in accordance with customary professional standards and the terms set forth in this document; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their agreement regarding the scope, deliverables, payment and other terms governing the appraisal engagement.

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Owner Property Type (select all that apply)

Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Vacant Land Other

Occupancy Status

Year Built:

Gross Area (sq ft):

Lot Size:

Legal Description / Parcel ID

INTENDED USE AND EFFECTIVE DATE

Intended Use of Report:

Effective Date of Valuation:

SCOPE OF WORK

The parties agree that the scope of work for this engagement shall be as follows. Appraiser shall perform inspection, data collection, analysis, and preparation of an appraisal report describing the opinion of market value as of the effective date identified above. Additional instructions and limitations are set forth below and in the report.

Scope of Work Details

APPRAISAL SERVICES & DELIVERABLES

Report Type: Restricted Use Summary Report Complete (Full) Appraisal

Deliverables Due By: Delivery Format:

Supplementary Materials to be Provided by Client

PAYMENT TERMS

Appraisal Fee: $ (USD)

Payment Schedule

Late Payment: Past due amounts shall accrue interest at and Client shall be responsible for reasonable collection costs and expenses.

All fees are exclusive of applicable taxes and any extraordinary expenses incurred during the appraisal process (e.g., extended travel, specialized testing), which shall be billed separately with prior notice and Client approval when practicable.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Engagement Start Date: Anticipated Completion/End Date:

Either party may terminate this engagement for convenience upon written notice to the other party delivered at least days prior to the intended termination date. Termination by Client prior to substantial completion shall not relieve Client of the obligation to pay for services performed and expenses incurred through the date of termination.

Termination for cause shall be effective immediately upon written notice if a material breach by either party remains uncured following ten (10) days' written notice of such breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Appraiser and Client acknowledge that non-public information disclosed in connection with this engagement is confidential. Appraiser shall not disclose Client's confidential information to third parties except: (a) to perform the appraisal under this agreement, (b) as required by law, or (c) with Client's prior written consent. Appraiser may retain working files and underlying data in accordance with professional standards but will safeguard confidential information from unauthorized disclosure.

LIMITING CONDITIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, AND STANDARD CERTIFICATION

Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

Appraiser's opinion of value is subject to the assumptions and limiting conditions stated in the final report. Appraiser certifies that the appraisal was performed impartially, without bias, and in compliance with applicable professional standards and that no undisclosed interest, direct or indirect, exists between Appraiser and Client.

AUTHORIZATION AND ACCESS

Client authorizes Appraiser and Appraiser's representatives to enter the subject property for the purpose of inspection and data collection. Client confirms that Client has authority to grant access and that Appraiser's access will not constitute a trespass.

Access Instructions / Gate Codes / Keys

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the subject property is located, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement: This Appraisal Information Form, together with the appraisal report and any attachments expressly referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Special Considerations / Client Instructions

Client Name:

Appraiser Name:

By:

Date:

What the Appraisal Information Form Is and when it’s used

The Appraisal Information Form collects standardized facts about a property and the assignment that supports an appraisal report. It typically records property identification, intended use, client and occupant details, access and inspection notes, limiting conditions, and the appraiser’s certification. Lenders, appraisal management companies, insurers, tax professionals, and real estate brokers use the form to ensure the appraisal addresses the intended valuation purpose and regulatory needs. In mortgage workflows the form helps underwriters confirm scope; in other contexts it documents assumptions or special instructions that affect the appraiser’s opinion of value.

Why a clear Appraisal Information Form matters

A complete, accurate form reduces rework, shortens underwriting time, and preserves the appraisal’s legal integrity by recording scope, intended users, and limiting conditions. It creates a clear basis for valuation assumptions and supports defensibility if the appraisal is audited or reviewed.

Who typically completes or receives this form

The form is completed by the ordering party or their agent and reviewed by the appraiser before inspection.

Lenders and mortgage underwriters ordering a valuation for loan approval
Appraisal management companies coordinating assignments with licensed appraisers
Property owners, buyers, or attorneys requesting valuations for tax, estate, or litigation needs

Final signed copies go to the client, the appraiser’s file, and any authorized third parties such as underwriters or insurers.

Core elements to include on a professional Appraisal Information Form

A professional form balances clear identification, assignment scope, and supporting facts so the appraiser can apply appropriate valuation methods and document assumptions.

Property ID

Street address, legal description, parcel number, and current owner information to uniquely identify the subject property and avoid ambiguity in the appraisal.

Intended Use

State the purpose (e.g., mortgage underwriting, tax assessment, estate settlement) and the intended user(s); this governs scope and required standards of work.

Inspection Details

Access instructions, inspection date, occupant status, and whether interior inspection is permitted or restricted; these impact the level of inspection and reporting.

Valuation Approach

Indicate preferred or required approaches (sales comparison, income, cost) and any required market data or adjustments to be applied.

Assumptions

List material assumptions, extraordinary items, and limiting conditions that the appraiser must note in their report to preserve clarity and defensibility.

Certification

Appraiser’s license number, signature, and statement of compliance with applicable standards such as USPAP or state appraisal rules.

Step-by-step: filling and delivering the Appraisal Information Form

Follow a consistent sequence to collect data, confirm scope, and route the completed form to stakeholders.

01

Collect assignment data: Gather client, property, and intended use details.
02

Confirm inspection access: Note interior/exterior access and appointment instructions.
03

Review with appraiser: Appraiser confirms scope and lists assumptions.
04

Sign and distribute: Obtain signatures and send copies to client and appraiser.

How to set up a digital workflow for the form

Configure document routing, authentication, and template fields to reduce manual steps and ensure consistent data capture.

Field Mapping	Map form fields to database or loan file metadata for automated population and export.
Authentication	Require signer verification via email, SMS code, or stronger methods for high-risk assignments.
Templates	Create reusable templates with conditional fields for different assignment types.
Notifications	Enable automated emails when forms are completed or require action.
Storage	Set automatic archival to document management systems in PDF/A format.

Where to send completed Appraisal Information Forms

Route the signed form to the parties who need it and retain a signed copy in the appraiser’s working file.

Primary Client: Deliver signed copy to the ordering client or lender.
Appraiser File: Store original in the appraiser’s working paper file.
Underwriter: Include form with appraisal report for underwriting review.
Authorized Third Parties: Share with AMC, insurer, or legal counsel as permitted.

Preparing digital tools for secure completion and delivery

Use a platform that supports PDF, Word, and mobile signing, and provides an audit trail and secure storage.

Document formats: PDF and DOCX supported.
Authentication options: Email, SMS, or stronger MFA.
Integrations: Connectors for LOS and cloud storage.

Ensure the provider supports industry integrations (loan origination systems, cloud repositories) and retains tamper-evident audit logs for compliance.

Typical timelines and service-level expectations

Timelines vary by market, assignment complexity, and lender requirements; document expected SLA up front to avoid loan-closing delays.

Standard turnaround:

3–7 business days from order to delivery.

Expedited service:

24–48 hours for rush assignments when available.

Loan closing target:

Coordinate report delivery at least 3 business days before closing.

Reinspection timing:

Schedule follow-up inspections promptly to meet underwriting deadlines.

Record retention:

Confirm retention rules before disposal or archiving.

Common mistakes that cause delays or disputes

Incomplete property description or wrong parcel number leading to incorrect comparables and reassignment needs.
Ambiguous intended use or missing scope instructions resulting in a report that fails lender or client requirements.
Missing appraiser certification, license number, or signature that invalidates the report for underwriting or compliance.
Failure to record inspection limitations or extraordinary assumptions which create defensibility gaps on review or appeal.

Risks and consequences of incorrect or incomplete forms

Loan delays: Underwriting rejection or postponed closings.

Report invalidation: Appraisal may be rejected for noncompliance.

Regulatory exposure: Potential state licensing complaints.

Liability claims: Disputes or legal claims against appraiser.

Fee disputes: Billing or collection complications.

Audit findings: Documentation deficiencies noted in reviews.

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot for appraisal workflows

Compare common criteria that affect appraisal form workflows: per-user starting price, trial availability, bulk send for high-volume assignments, audit trail, HIPAA support, and envelope or usage caps.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (plan-dependent)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-world examples of appraisal workflows using digital forms

Organizations use e-signed appraisal forms to speed assignments, reduce errors, and maintain defensible records.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin, Founder

Tim Martin streamlined valuation intake by replacing paper forms with digital templates

Reduced turnaround needs by focusing inspections
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons, COO

Optica standardized its appraisal intake to eliminate mismatched fields and duplicate entry

Faster reviewer handoffs and fewer return requests
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Frequently asked questions about the Appraisal Information Form

Answers to common questions about legality, signatures, notarization, who signs, and retention for appraisal forms.

Need help? Contact support

What is the legal effect of an electronic signature?
Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws adopted in most states; the form is valid if intent, consent, attribution, and retrievability are satisfied.
Can the Appraisal Information Form be e-signed?
Yes, except where a specific statute requires a handwritten or notarized signature. Confirm whether the intended user or state requires additional authentication or a notarial act.
Who must sign the form?
The ordering party or authorized agent completes client fields; the appraiser signs the certification and provides license details. Signers must be identified clearly to establish attribution.
Is notarization required for appraisals?
Not typically required for mortgage or valuation reports; some transactions or state agencies may request notarized certifications—check state rules and client requirements before notarizing.
What if key fields are missing or inconsistent?
Missing or inconsistent data can invalidate the assignment, trigger rework, or cause underwriting rejection. Verify property identifiers, intended use, and inspection notes before finalizing.
How long should I keep completed forms?
Retain completed appraisal records per applicable standards: generally at least 3 years (IRC §6501(a) for IRS-related records) and longer if HIPAA or state law requires it.

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