Can an appraisal report be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws (where adopted). Ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable retention per ESIGN and UETA standards.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for certain legal instruments attached to appraisal files (deeds, affidavits). Appraisal reports themselves typically do not require notary signatures, but supporting documents might, depending on state rules.

What authentication level is recommended for signers?

Use email plus one-time passcode or stronger methods for lender or legal uses. Higher-risk transactions benefit from multi-factor authentication or identity-proofing methods.

How long must I keep appraisal records?

Retention depends on use: keep for at least 3 years (IRS baseline), 6 years for HIPAA-covered records, and longer if lender or state rules require it; consult retention guidance before disposal.

How do I correct an error after signing?

Prepare a formal addendum or corrected report signed by the appraiser and any required parties. Do not alter the original signed PDF; issue a new signed document referencing the correction.

Is a digital signature the same as an electronic signature?

No. A digital signature is a cryptographic PKI-based subset of electronic signatures. Electronic signatures include typed or clicked signatures that meet ESIGN/UETA validity criteria; digital signatures provide additional cryptographic assurance.

Electronic Signature
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Miscellaneous
Property Appraisal Report

Property Appraisal Report

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

PROPERTY APPRAISAL REPORT

Engagement and Recitals

WHEREAS, Client Name: (the "Client") has requested an appraisal of the property described below; and

WHEREAS, Appraiser Name: , a licensed real property appraiser, agrees to perform the appraisal under the terms set forth in this report; and

WHEREAS, Effective Date of Valuation: and Inspection Date: .

Property Identification

Property Address Parcel / APN

Property Type: Residential Commercial Vacant Land Mixed-Use

Scope of Work

The appraiser will perform the following tasks as part of this engagement. Describe the intended scope, limiting conditions and intended user(s) of the appraisal:

Physical Description and Improvements

Site Size and Zoning Improvements (Bedrooms, Baths, GLA, Year Built)

Market Analysis and Comparables

Summarize the market conditions and provide representative comparable sales used in the analysis.

Comparable Sale 1 — Address

Sale Date: Sale Price: $

Adjustments / Notes Comparable Sale 2 — Address

Sale Date: Sale Price: $

Adjustments / Notes Comparable Sale 3 — Address

Sale Date: Sale Price: $

Adjustments / Notes

Valuation conclusion

The appraised market value of the property, as of the effective date noted above, is:

Final Estimated Market Value

Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

Payment Terms

The Client agrees to compensate the Appraiser according to the following terms.

Appraisal Fee (flat or estimated) Payment Schedule

Late Fee: (applies to balances not paid within agreed terms)

Term and Termination

This engagement commences on Start Date: and shall terminate on End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate this engagement upon written notice delivered at least days prior to the effective termination date. Termination shall not relieve Client of obligation to pay for services performed and reasonable costs incurred through the effective date of termination.

Confidentiality

The Appraiser shall maintain confidentiality of non-public Client information obtained in connection with this engagement, and shall not disclose such information except as required by law, as necessary to complete the appraisal assignment, or with the Client's prior written consent. The Appraiser may provide the appraisal report to third parties only with Client authorization or as permitted by applicable professional standards.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This engagement and the appraisal report shall be governed by the laws of the State of . This document, together with any attachments and addenda, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the appraisal and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements, whether oral or written.

Attachments and Report Components

Included with this report (check all that apply):

Exterior and interior photographs
Plat map / survey
Floor plan
Comparable sales data
Addenda and supporting documentation

Appraiser Certification

The undersigned certifies that, to the best of the appraiser's knowledge and belief, the statements in this report are true and the appraiser has no present or contemplated future interest in the subject property; the appraiser's compensation is not contingent upon the appraised value; the appraiser has performed no services, as an appraiser or in any other capacity, regarding the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment; and the appraiser is not aware of any bias or other conflict of interest.

Appraiser License Number Appraiser License State Additional Notes / Special Instructions

Appraiser Name:

By:

Date:

Client Name:

By:

Date:

What a Property Appraisal Report Is and when it’s used

A Property Appraisal Report is a formal, written estimate of a property's market value prepared by a licensed appraiser after inspection and analysis. The report documents the property description, inspection findings, comparable sales, valuation approaches, and the appraiser's certification. Lenders, buyers, sellers, insurers, tax authorities, and courts commonly rely on appraisal reports to support mortgage underwriting, sales negotiations, estate and tax determinations, and dispute resolution.

Why an accurate appraisal report matters

A clear, well-documented appraisal provides an objective market-value opinion that underpins financing, tax, and legal decisions. Proper format and supporting evidence reduce underwriting delays, litigation risk, and rework.

Who prepares and relies on appraisal reports

Several professionals create, request, or act on appraisal reports depending on the transaction type and regulatory needs.

Licensed appraisers preparing the valuation and certification for lenders or private clients.
Mortgage lenders and underwriters who use the report to set loan amounts and loan-to-value ratios.
Buyers, sellers, attorneys, tax professionals, and insurers who rely on the report for pricing, disputes, and compliance.

The report’s audience affects format and attachments; lender-ordered reports typically follow Uniform Residential Appraisal Report templates, while appraisal for tax or litigation may require more detailed narrative.

Core sections of a professional Property Appraisal Report

A complete appraisal report presents standard sections so readers can verify the basis for value conclusions and the appraiser’s methods.

Appraiser identification

Name, license number, contact, state of licensure, scope of work and the appraiser’s competency statement supporting the assignment.

Property description

Legal description, address, site size, zoning, improvements, condition, year built, room counts, and any special characteristics or encumbrances.

Market analysis

Neighborhood overview, market trends, demand drivers, and recent comparable sales used to support adjustments and market context.

Valuation approaches

Detailed Income, Cost, and Sales Comparison approaches as applicable, including calculations, adjustments, and reconciliation to final value.

Photographs and exhibits

Exterior and interior photos, floor plans, maps, and supporting documents demonstrating the property’s condition and comparables.

Certification and signature

Appraiser’s signed certification of independence, limiting conditions, and the effective date of the appraisal.

Step-by-step: preparing a Property Appraisal Report

Follow these core steps from engagement through delivery to produce a complete, defensible appraisal report.

01

Engage client: Confirm assignment, fee, and scope in writing.
02

Inspect property: Conduct interior and exterior inspection; document condition.
03

Research market: Collect comps, permits, zoning, and market trend data.
04

Compile report: Prepare approaches, reconcile value, attach exhibits and signature.

Typical appraisal delivery and review flow

A standard workflow moves from ordering to delivery and, if needed, review or appeal.

Order placed: Client submits property details and engagement instructions.
Appraiser assignment: Appraiser accepts and schedules inspection.
Report delivery: Final report delivered to client and stakeholders.
Review or appeal: Client may request clarification, revision, or review.

Configuring an online appraisal workflow

When digitizing the report process, map document fields and authentication to your compliance needs.

Field	Configuration
Signature field	Require typed or drawn signature; include license number field adjacent.
Date field	Auto-fill as MM/DD/YYYY; allow manual override when needed.
Photo uploads	Accept JPEG/PNG, max file sizes set per platform policies.
Access control	Restrict document visibility to client, lender, and designated reviewers.

Digital delivery and integration considerations

Decide how reports are signed, stored, and integrated before launching electronic workflows.

Authentication: Choose email, SMS code, or advanced methods.
Integrations: Link to CRMs and loan platforms.
File formats: Prefer PDF/A for long-term retention.

Ensure your platform supports audit trails, secure storage, and any industry-specific compliance such as HIPAA for medical-related valuations.

Typical timelines and delivery expectations

Turnaround varies by assignment complexity, lender requirements, and local market activity. Plan resources accordingly.

Standard turnaround:

7–14 days for a typical single-family appraisal; complex properties may take longer.

Rush requests:

2–3 business days when expedited by client, subject to additional fee.

Reinspection or addendum:

1–5 days after request depending on access and documentation.

Electronic signing:

Immediate once signer authentication is complete.

Record retention start:

Retention begins on effective date noted in report.

Key milestones from order to final record

Track these milestones to monitor progress and meet stakeholder deadlines.

01

Order confirmation

Client confirms scope and fee after initial request.

02

Inspection completed

Appraiser finishes interior/exterior review and photos.

03

Draft prepared

Preliminary valuation and comps are compiled for review.

04

Final delivery

Signed report issued and stored with audit trail.

Common mistakes that delay or invalidate appraisal reports

Incomplete property description or missing parcel identifiers that prevent accurate comparable matching.
Incorrect effective date or inconsistent dates between report sections causing valuation disputes.
Omitted supporting documents such as recent permits, surveys, or HOA restrictions that affect value.
Using unverified comparable sales or failing to document adjustments undermines the appraiser’s reconciliation.

Risks and potential consequences of inaccurate reports

Loan denial: Lender may reject financing.

Legal exposure: Liability claims against appraiser or firm.

Tax adjustments: IRS or local tax reassessment risk.

Insurance disputes: Claim denials or coverage gaps.

Reputational harm: Loss of client trust and referrals.

Regulatory action: State licensing complaints or sanctions.

Downloading, saving, and working with final reports

Export options and supporting material choices affect long-term access, compliance, and reviewability.

Export formats

Save as PDF/A for archival integrity; also provide standard PDF for daily use and DOCX if edits are required before signing.

Embedded audit trail

Include a tamper-evident certificate or audit log showing timestamps, signer identity, and IP to support enforceability.

Supporting attachments

Attach photos, maps, deeds, permits, tax records, and comparable sales spreadsheets as labeled exhibits.

Versioning

Keep final signed report and earlier drafts separate; label versions with dates and revision notes for clarity.

eSignature vendor comparison for signing appraisal reports

Compare basic pricing and feature availability for common eSignature providers. Do not rely on this table for procurement decisions without verifying plan details with each vendor.

	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	7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about Property Appraisal Reports

Answers to common practical and legal questions about preparing, signing, and storing appraisal reports.

Need help? Contact support

Can an appraisal report be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws (where adopted). Ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable retention per ESIGN and UETA standards.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for certain legal instruments attached to appraisal files (deeds, affidavits). Appraisal reports themselves typically do not require notary signatures, but supporting documents might, depending on state rules.
What authentication level is recommended for signers?
Use email plus one-time passcode or stronger methods for lender or legal uses. Higher-risk transactions benefit from multi-factor authentication or identity-proofing methods.
How long must I keep appraisal records?
Retention depends on use: keep for at least 3 years (IRS baseline), 6 years for HIPAA-covered records, and longer if lender or state rules require it; consult retention guidance before disposal.
How do I correct an error after signing?
Prepare a formal addendum or corrected report signed by the appraiser and any required parties. Do not alter the original signed PDF; issue a new signed document referencing the correction.
Is a digital signature the same as an electronic signature?
No. A digital signature is a cryptographic PKI-based subset of electronic signatures. Electronic signatures include typed or clicked signatures that meet ESIGN/UETA validity criteria; digital signatures provide additional cryptographic assurance.

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