Can an appraisal request be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met for enforceability.

Do appraisal-related attachments require notarization?

Most appraisal requests do not require notarization, but supporting affidavits or deed copies might. Notarization rules vary by state; confirm with the applicable state notary commission or counsel before requesting a notarized attachment.

What if the submitted form has incorrect property data?

Submit a corrected request immediately and notify the appraiser and vendor. Document the correction in writing, include a revision date, and retain both versions for audit and underwriting trail.

Are consumer disclosures required for e-signing?

Yes for consumer-facing financial or health-related transactions. ESIGN requires a consumer consent disclosure explaining the right to paper records and how to withdraw consent (15 U.S.C. §7001(c)).

Which supporting documents improve report quality?

Include plats, surveys, prior appraisals, MLS sheets, inspection reports, and leases. Providing these reduces appraiser research time, improves comparable selection, and shortens turnaround.

How should completed forms be stored securely?

Store signed PDFs with an audit trail in encrypted storage with access controls and retention policies. For health records, follow HIPAA retention and security requirements (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Appraisal Request Form

Appraisal Request Form

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

APPRAISAL REQUEST FORM

Requesting Party (Client)

Client Name:

Organization / Company (if applicable): Primary Contact:

Phone:

Email:

Billing / Payment Contact (if different):

Appraiser / Firm Assigned

Firm Name:

Appraiser Name:

License/Cert #:

Phone:

Email:

Property Identification

Property Address:

Parcel / APN:

Subdivision / Project:

Legal Description:

Property Characteristics & Occupancy

Property Type: Single-Family Condominium Multi-Family Land Commercial

Units:

Bedrooms:

Baths:

GLA (sq ft):

Year Built:

Occupancy Status: Owner-occupied Tenant-occupied Vacant Seasonal/Part-time Other:

Assignment Purpose, Type & Scope

Intended Use: Lending Sale/Listing Estate/Probate Divorce Settlement Tax Appeal Other:

Appraisal Type: Full Appraisal (Site inspection) Desk Review / Desktop FHA / VA / Conforming Other:

Value Type / Effective Date of Value:

Effective Date:

Inspection Logistics & Access

Contact for Access:

Phone:

Preferred Inspection Date:

Keys / Entry Method: Keys provided to appraiser Lockbox code provided Access restricted; appointment required If restricted, notes:

Attachments & Supporting Documents

Included Attachments: Photos Survey / Plot Lease(s) Prior appraisal report Title report

Additional Instructions / Client Comments:

Fees, Payment & Delivery

Fee Amount:

Deposit Amount:

Due Date for Balance:

Who will be billed: Client Seller Third Party If third party, specify:

Payment Method: Check ACH / Wire Credit Card

Report Delivery Format & Deadline:

PDF (electronic) Hard Copy PDF + Hard Copy

Number of Copies (electronic/hard):

Requested Delivery Deadline:

Disclosures, Representations & Authorizations

The Client represents and warrants that it is authorized to request the appraisal and to permit access to the property. Client authorizes the appraiser and agents to enter the property for inspection and to obtain public record, tax and ownership information. Client certifies that the facts provided on this form are true and accurate to the best of Client's knowledge.

Known property conditions (select all that apply): Known material defects Possible lead-based paint (pre-1978) Located in flood zone Environmental hazards suspected Other:

Confidentiality and Use: The appraisal report is prepared for the exclusive use of the named Client and other parties expressly authorized in writing. Except as otherwise required by law or professional standards, the appraiser's liability for claims arising from this assignment is limited to the fee paid by the Client for the appraisal services. Any third-party reliance must be expressly approved in writing by the appraiser prior to distribution.

Cancellation and Rescheduling: Client agrees to provide reasonable notice for cancellations. Late cancellations or failures to provide access may result in a cancellation fee equal to a portion of the agreed fee as specified in the engagement. Client agrees to reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by the appraiser in the event of cancellation without timely notice.

Retention and Workfile: The appraiser will retain the appraisal file and supporting documentation in accordance with applicable professional standards and may dispose of such files in accordance with the appraiser's records retention policy. The Client may request copies of workfile materials subject to reasonable charges and professional restrictions.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution: This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the property is located. Any dispute arising out of this engagement shall be resolved by the courts of competent jurisdiction in that state unless the parties agree to an alternative dispute resolution procedure in writing.

Entire Agreement: This Appraisal Request Form, together with any written addenda, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the services requested and supersedes prior negotiations and agreements. Amendments must be made in writing and signed by both parties.

Acknowledgement and Authorization

By signing below, Client authorizes the appraiser to perform the requested services under the terms and conditions set forth in this form, acknowledges receipt of these terms, and certifies that the information provided is complete and accurate. Client acknowledges that delivery of the report is contingent upon payment of fees as described above.

Client - Print Name:

By:

Date:

Appraiser / Firm - Print Name:

By:

Date:

What an Appraisal Request Form Is and when it’s used

An Appraisal Request Form initiates an independent property valuation by documenting the assignment, subject property, scope, and contact information needed by an appraiser. Typical uses include lender-ordered valuations, borrower requests, estate or tax appraisals, and pre-sale assessments. The form captures client instructions, ownership data, access arrangements, desired appraisal type (full appraisal, desktop, drive-by, or restricted), intended use, and delivery expectations. Accurate completion reduces delays and supports a defensible value opinion by the appraiser and recipient parties. It also notes special inspection requirements, additional exhibits, and fee authorization.

Why a clear Appraisal Request Form matters

Use an Appraisal Request Form to set clear instructions, establish scope of work, and document consent for property access and fee payment. Clear forms minimize rework, reduce turnaround time, and create an audit trail that supports underwriting, tax reporting, and legal review.

Who prepares and receives this form

Common users who prepare or receive Appraisal Request Forms include lenders, brokers, and appraisal management companies initiating valuation services.

Mortgage lenders ordering collateral valuations for loan underwriting and risk assessment.
Real estate brokers requesting pre-listing appraisals to set offering prices and disclosures.
Estate planners and tax advisors documenting fair market value for reporting or settlement.

Completing the form accurately ensures the appraisal reflects the intended scope and reduces the chance of additional requests.

Typical roles involved in the appraisal request

Loan Officer

A loan officer completes the Appraisal Request Form to provide borrower and property details, loan purpose, and intended use. Accurate information enables timely ordering, correct product selection, and compliance with lender policy; omissions commonly cause delays or revised assignments.

Appraiser

An appraiser uses the form to confirm assignment parameters, inspection access, and any limiting conditions. Clear instructions prevent scope creep, support methodology selection, and contribute to an auditable record for reviewers, underwriters, and regulatory reviewers.

Essential components every professional request should include

A professional Appraisal Request Form organizes assignment details, property data, instructions, and delivery expectations to reduce ambiguity and ensure the appraiser has the information needed to perform a defensible valuation.

Assignment Details

Identify the ordering party, client contact, fee payer, and invoice instructions. State the intended user and any confidentiality or distribution limits to set clear contractual expectations and billing responsibility.

Property Description

Provide full address, legal description, parcel/tax ID, and current use. Include lot dimensions, unit identifiers, and recent listings or sales to help the appraiser locate comps and understand context.

Scope of Work

Specify appraisal type (full, desktop, drive-by, restricted), required report format, date of value, and any limiting conditions or extraordinary assumptions to align methodology with the assignment.

Access Instructions

List contact for access, keys or gate codes, occupant notices, and preferred inspection windows. Indicate safety considerations, restricted areas, and whether occupants may be interviewed.

Supporting Documents

Attach plat maps, recent inspection reports, MLS sheets, surveys, leases, and prior appraisal copies. These exhibits reduce research time and improve report completeness and defensibility.

Delivery Directions

State delivery method (secure PDF, portal upload, paper), routing order, and any certification or notarization requirements for attachments or affidavits.

Required data fields at a glance

Property Address: Street, city, state, ZIP.

Parcel ID: Tax/assessor parcel number.

Owner Contact: Name, phone, email.

Intended Use: Loan, sale, tax, estate.

Appraisal Type: Full, desktop, drive-by, restricted.

Access Instructions: Gate codes, contact person, hours.

Step-by-step: completing the Appraisal Request Form

Follow these sequential steps to complete and submit an Appraisal Request Form accurately and avoid processing delays.

01

Gather Documents: Collect deed, MLS, tax assessment, prior appraisals.
02

Enter Property Info: Provide full address, parcel ID, and legal description.
03

Specify Scope: Select appraisal type and intended user.
04

Authorize Fees: Include payment method and fee authorization details.

Configuring an online appraisal request workflow

Configure an online appraisal request workflow to automate routing, notifications, and delivery of signed reports.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Lender first, then appraiser; optional borrower copy.
Notifications	Email and SMS alerts for each status change.
Document Types	PDF, DOCX accepted; upload attachments allowed.
Delivery	Signed PDF with audit trail emailed and stored.

Digital submission and platform capabilities to check

Digital submission options affect signer authentication, accepted file formats, storage retention, and delivery protocols for appraisal reports.

Authentication: Email link, SMS code, or KBA.
Formats: PDF, PDF/A, TIFF, DOCX accepted.
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Drive, Procore.

Where the form goes and how responses flow

Typical submission flow outlines who receives the request, how the appraiser responds, and where the completed report is stored.

Submit Request: Order sent to appraisal management company or direct appraiser via secure upload.
Appraiser Accepts: Appraiser confirms access, fee, scope, and inspection schedule.
Inspection: On-site inspection arranged or alternative methods noted in report.
Report Delivery: Signed PDF with audit trail delivered to requester and lender.

Timing expectations and processing windows

Appraisal timing varies by report type, complexity, and market conditions; set expectations clearly on the request form.

Typical Turnaround:

Desktop: 1–3 business days; Full: 5–10 business days; actual timing varies by market and complexity.

Rush Requests:

Confirm additional fees and availability before ordering.

Access Windows:

Provide contact and times; missed access delays reports.

Deliverables:

Signed PDF, narrative report, and supporting photos.

Review Period:

Allow time for clarifications and appraisal revisions.

Key milestones in the appraisal lifecycle

Key processing milestones outline the appraisal lifecycle from request submission through assignment, inspection, review, and final delivery.

01

Submission

Form completed and submitted to the appraisal vendor or management company.

02

Assignment

Vendor or lender assigns appraiser and confirms scope and fee.

03

Inspection

Appraiser conducts inspection per access instructions and documents condition.

04

Delivery

Appraiser uploads signed report and audit trail to requester.

Common mistakes that cause delays or rework

Incomplete property identification (missing parcel ID or legal description) forces clarifying requests and can delay assignment or increase costs due to additional research.
Unclear access instructions produce missed inspections; include gate codes, tenant contact, and acceptable inspection windows to prevent rescheduling and extended timelines.
Vague scope selections, such as unspecified appraisal type or intended user, lead to incorrect deliverables that may not satisfy lender or tax requirements.
Omitting fee authorization or payment method often stalls orders; confirm who pays, any third-party billing, and prepayment requirements to avoid cancellation.

Potential risks and consequences of errors

Delayed Closing: May extend loan closing date.

Rework Costs: Additional appraisal orders required.

Tax Reporting Issues: Incorrect basis or estate values.

Regulatory Scrutiny: Underwriting exceptions or fines.

Liability Exposure: Disputed valuations can trigger claims.

Backup Withholding: Missing TIN risks withholding.

Comparing eSignature vendors for appraisal workflows

Vendor pricing and feature comparison for eSignature solutions commonly used with Appraisal Request Forms; signNow listed first per platform conventions.

	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 trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

FAQs and troubleshooting for Appraisal Request Forms

Answers to common questions about e-signing, notarization, required attachments, and correcting errors when an appraisal request has already been submitted.

Need help? Contact support

Can an appraisal request be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met for enforceability.
Do appraisal-related attachments require notarization?
Most appraisal requests do not require notarization, but supporting affidavits or deed copies might. Notarization rules vary by state; confirm with the applicable state notary commission or counsel before requesting a notarized attachment.
What if the submitted form has incorrect property data?
Submit a corrected request immediately and notify the appraiser and vendor. Document the correction in writing, include a revision date, and retain both versions for audit and underwriting trail.
Are consumer disclosures required for e-signing?
Yes for consumer-facing financial or health-related transactions. ESIGN requires a consumer consent disclosure explaining the right to paper records and how to withdraw consent (15 U.S.C. §7001(c)).
Which supporting documents improve report quality?
Include plats, surveys, prior appraisals, MLS sheets, inspection reports, and leases. Providing these reduces appraiser research time, improves comparable selection, and shortens turnaround.
How should completed forms be stored securely?
Store signed PDFs with an audit trail in encrypted storage with access controls and retention policies. For health records, follow HIPAA retention and security requirements (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

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