Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are enforceable when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Confirm platform audit trails and any industry-specific disclosure requirements.

Do appraisal agreements need notarization?

Generally no; appraisal agreements are contracts that do not always require notarization. Some lenders or jurisdictions may request notarized certifications or notarized affidavits; deeds and conveyances still require a notary acknowledgement in all states.

Can I rely on an e-signed appraisal?

Yes, if the e-signature meets legal validity tests (intent, consent, attribution, retention) and the platform preserves a tamper-evident audit trail. For high-risk or regulatory uses, consider stronger signer authentication or PKI-based digital signatures.

What if parties are in different states?

State law can affect notarization, witness rules, and retention periods. ESIGN generally governs interstate electronic signatures (15 U.S.C. ch. 96), but intrastate matters may fall under UETA or specific state statutes; consult counsel for cross-jurisdictional reliance.

How long should I keep agreements?

Retain originals for the engagement term plus at least three years for business records; retain tax- or HIPAA-related materials per federal minimums (IRC §6501(a); 45 CFR §164.530(j)). State rules may require longer retention.

Which fields are most critical to get right?

Essential fields include party names, property legal description, effective date, scope, fee terms, and signatures. Errors in these fields can cause enforcement problems, tax issues, or backup withholding triggers when payer information is incorrect.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Appraisal Agreement

Real Estate Appraisal Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL AGREEMENT

Parties and Engagement

This Appraisal Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into on between Client Name: and Appraiser Name: .

Client Contact Information Appraiser Contact / Credentials

Property Identification

Property Address Parcel / APN Legal Description

Scope of Engagement

The Appraiser shall perform the following services for the Property:

Appraisal Type (check all that apply)

Interior inspection and full appraisal report
Drive-by exterior inspection (restricted scope)
Desktop appraisal (no inspection)
Market analysis only
Reinspection/follow-up review

Intended Use and Intended User(s) Standard of Value

Fees, Payment and Expenses

Appraisal Fee Retainer / Deposit Payment Terms Late Fee / Interest

Additional charges for extraordinary services, travel, research or copies may be billed at cost and are payable on receipt of invoice. Rush delivery may incur an additional charge.

Schedule and Delivery

Inspection Date: Report Delivery Date: .

Delivery shall be by electronic transmission and/or hard copy as agreed between the parties. Time is of the essence only to the extent set forth in a separate written schedule attached to this Agreement.

Access, Cooperation and Source Information

Client shall arrange for reasonable access to the Property and provide available public records, leases, title information and other documents reasonably requested by the Appraiser for completion of the appraisal. Client certifies that all information supplied to the Appraiser is accurate to the best of Client's knowledge.

Assumptions, Limiting Conditions and Confidentiality

The appraisal report will include standard assumptions and limiting conditions typical of professional appraisal practice. The Appraiser's opinion of value is based upon inspection and available data; the Appraiser is not responsible for latent defects or conditions not discoverable by a standard inspection.

The report is prepared for the sole use of the Intended User(s) identified herein. Distribution to third parties requires prior written consent of the Appraiser and may be subject to additional fees and liability limitations.

Disclosures and Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest: No known conflicts disclosed Conflicts disclosed (describe below)

If conflicts disclosed, describe

Liability, Indemnity and Remedies

The Client and Appraiser agree that the Appraiser's liability to Client for any claim, whether in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise, shall be limited to actual direct damages not to exceed unless otherwise agreed in writing. In no event shall the Appraiser be liable for consequential, incidental or punitive damages.

Client shall indemnify and hold Appraiser harmless from claims arising out of Client-supplied data, misrepresentations, or unauthorized distribution of the Appraisal Report.

Termination and Cancellation

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice. Client shall pay for services performed to the date of termination and any reasonable costs incurred. Cancellation within 48 hours of scheduled inspection may incur a cancellation fee of .

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state where the Property is located. The parties agree to attempt good faith negotiations to resolve disputes. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in the county where the Property is located unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including any attachments and written amendments signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between Client and Appraiser with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Acknowledgement and Acceptance

By signing below, the parties acknowledge they have read, understand and accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement and authorize the Appraiser to proceed with the appraisal engagement as specified.

Client:

By:

Date:

Appraiser:

By:

Date:

What a Real Estate Appraisal Agreement Covers

The Real Estate Appraisal Agreement is a written contract between a property owner, lender, or client and a licensed appraiser that defines the scope, responsibilities, deliverables, fees, and timelines for a property valuation engagement. It specifies the property address and legal description, inspection access and timing, intended use and user of the appraisal, reporting format (desktop, restricted, or full report), applicable professional standards such as USPAP, and any limiting conditions or exclusions. The agreement also documents payment terms, cancellation policy, confidentiality obligations, liability caps, and the appraiser's certification and license details to reduce disputes and support reliance by lenders, insurers.

Why a Clear Appraisal Agreement Matters

A written appraisal agreement allocates risk, sets expectations for deliverables and timing, and clarifies who may rely on the valuation.

Who Commonly Uses This Agreement

Common users of a Real Estate Appraisal Agreement include the parties who order, rely on, or perform the appraisal service.

Lenders and mortgage underwriters who order appraisals and rely on valuation conclusions for underwriting.
Property owners or sellers commissioning appraisals for pricing, tax, estate, or dispute purposes.
Attorneys, courts, and insurers using appraisal reports in litigation, settlements, or claims evaluation.

Tailor the agreement to each user's legal and regulatory needs, including confidentiality, intended use, and permissible reliance language.

Who Signs and Why

Licensed Appraiser

Typically a state-certified or state-licensed appraiser who performs the valuation, certifies compliance with USPAP, and signs the report. The appraiser assumes responsibility for methodology, inspection scope, and the certification language required by lenders and intended users.

Ordering Party

The individual or organization that orders and pays for the appraisal — lender, owner, attorney, or insurer. The ordering party defines the intended use, user, and scope; misstatements in instructions can limit reliance or change the appraisal's legal effect.

Core Elements to Include in Every Appraisal Agreement

Core items that make an appraisal engagement complete and enforceable are listed below; use them as a checklist when drafting or reviewing the agreement.

Parties

Identify the client, ordering party, property owner, and any third-party users. Include full legal names, business entities, contact details, and representative authority to bind each organization.

Property

Describe the subject property with street address, parcel ID, legal description, and any exclusions. State whether partial interests or easements are included in the valuation.

Scope

Define type of appraisal (market value, retrospective, tax appeal), inspection level, data sources, assumptions, limiting conditions, and the intended use and users of the report.

Fees

Specify total fee, payment schedule, retainer amount, reimbursement for expenses, and conditions for fee adjustments or cancellations to avoid billing disputes.

Standards

State applicable professional standards (for example, USPAP) and any lender-specific requirements; include certification language and quality control or review processes.

Signatures

Provide signature blocks for the appraiser and client, date lines, and any notary or witness sections required by jurisdiction or by specific intended users.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these steps to complete a Real Estate Appraisal Agreement accurately and consistently online or on paper.

01

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

Define scope: Choose report type, inspection level, and assumptions.
03

Set fees: Enter fee, retainer, and payment timing.
04

Sign and deliver: Obtain required signatures and distribute copies.

Configuring a Digital Execution Workflow

Use these settings when configuring a digital appraisal agreement workflow for e-signing and delivery on your platform.

Field	Configuration
Magic fields	Auto-fill property and contact fields from templates.
Conditional fields	Show inspection clauses only when selected.
Authentication level	Email link, SMS code, or KBA.
Reminders	Automatic reminders before signature deadline.

Typical Delivery and Routing Options

Routing and delivery options for the signed appraisal agreement vary by workflow; pick the channel that meets legal and client requirements.

Email delivery: Send signed PDF to client and appraiser.
Secure portal: Upload to escrow or lender portal with access controls.
Physical copies: Provide printed originals with wet signatures if requested.
Recording: Not typically recorded; record only attached deeds.

Platform and File Requirements for eSigning

Common distribution and eSignature platform requirements when executing appraisal agreements across lenders, owners, and appraisal firms.

File formats: PDF and Word DOCX are supported.
Integrations: Connects to lender CRMs and Google Drive.
Auth levels: Email, SMS, or stronger authentication.

eSignature Vendor Comparison Relevant to Appraisal Agreements

Pricing and feature overview of common eSignature providers relevant to appraisal agreement execution and compliance.

	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 free 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

Essential Data Elements to Include

Appraisal Date: MM/DD/YYYY used throughout report

Property Address: Full street address with ZIP code

Legal Description: Parcel or lot description from deed

Appraiser License: State license number and expiration

Fee Terms: Amount, payment schedule, and billing party

Deliverables: Report type, format, and delivery method

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Failing to define the intended user or use, which can invalidate lender reliance or limit permissible distribution of the appraisal report.
Using vague scope language like 'reasonable inspection' without specifying report type, inspection level, or assumptions leads to disputes over methodology and fees.
Neglecting to list the appraiser's license number, state, and certification can delay acceptance by regulators or third-party users.
Overlooking data access and inspection windows; inability to inspect property timely often changes the report type and can require addenda.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Agreement

Incorrect Valuation: Misleading conclusions, lender rejection

Missing Signatures: Agreement unenforceable in disputes

Wrong Parties: Limits ability to rely or sue

Late Delivery: Contractual breach, potential fee penalties

Data Errors: Appraisal conclusions may be voided

HIPAA Exposure: If PHI included, compliance risk

Practical Tips for Accurate, Efficient Agreements

Practical tips to avoid disputes and speed approval when preparing an appraisal agreement for lenders and owners.

State explicit intended use and user(s)

Specify exactly who may rely on the appraisal and for what purpose. Ambiguous reliance clauses often lead to lender rejection or third-party disputes; clear limitations prevent unauthorized distribution and align expectations with professional liability coverage.

List all material assumptions clearly

List all material assumptions, extraordinary assumptions, and limiting conditions. If hypothetical conditions are used, state them clearly. Failure to declare them undermines conclusions and can shift liability when users act on the appraisal.

Tie delivery milestones to payment

Tie delivery milestones to payment triggers and include remedies for late payment or nonpayment. Define what constitutes delivery (electronic signed PDF, hard copy) to avoid disagreements about receipt and completion.

Document appraiser qualifications and insurance

Include the appraiser's license number, state, errors-and-omissions insurance limits, and any reviewer details. Lenders and courts commonly require documented qualifications before accepting an appraisal.

Typical Deadlines and Processing Expectations

Standard timing milestones for an appraisal engagement help set expectations for inspection, drafting, review, and payment.

Acceptance Date:

Date client signs agreement and engagement begins.

Inspection Window:

Typical 3–14 business days depending on property access.

Draft Delivery:

Preliminary findings delivered for client review within set days.

Final Report:

Final signed appraisal delivered by specified deadline, often 10–30 days.

Payment Due:

Payment upon delivery or per agreed schedule, noted in agreement.

Key Milestones from Order to Final Report

Key processing stages for a typical appraisal engagement from order to final report and post-delivery follow up.

01

Order Received

Client signs agreement; engagement officially begins.

02

Inspection Scheduled

Inspector arranges access and conducts on-site inspection.

03

Draft Review

Preliminary findings sent to client for clarification.

04

Final Delivery

Signed final report delivered with audit trail and certification.

How Appraisal Agreements Work in Practice

Real-world examples show how properly drafted appraisal agreements support lending, tax appeals, estate settlement, and dispute resolution.

Commercial Loan Appraisal

A regional bank required a formal appraisal agreement before releasing funds for a $4.2 million retail acquisition to ensure clear deliverables and liability limits.

Appraisal specified market-value and effective date.
The agreement prevented misunderstandings about inspection access, established a 21-day delivery deadline, and limited the appraiser's liability to the fee amount, which resolved a post-closing dispute without litigation and preserved lender reliance.

Estate Tax Valuation

An estate executor used a detailed appraisal agreement to document valuation assumptions for a unique waterfront parcel, supporting IRS review during valuation of estate assets.

Included photos and comparable sales.
Clear scope reduced follow-up questions from the IRS, avoided extended appraisal revisions, and made the report admissible for estate tax purposes while providing a documented fee and timeline for the appraiser.

Appraisal Agreement vs. Engagement Letter: Key Differences

Compare the Real Estate Appraisal Agreement with similar documents to pick the right instrument for your needs.

Criteria	Appraisal Agreement	Engagement Letter
Primary purpose	contractual terms	scope description
Signature required		often yes
Enforceable		less formal
Typical use	lender reliance	internal advice

Supporting Documents and File Formats to Attach

Include supporting items that lenders or reviewers typically expect and export signed copies in common, tamper-evident formats.

Supporting Documents

Attach recent deeds, plat maps, tax records, leases, and comparable sales data that substantiate the appraisal conclusions.

Photographs

Include interior and exterior photos, site maps, and condition notes to document property condition and access limitations.

Delivery Formats

Deliver signed reports as PDF/A or standard PDF with an appended audit trail for long-term preservation and portability.

Retention Copy

Store a signed master copy and searchable backup in secure cloud storage with version history and access controls.

Frequently Asked Questions About Appraisal Agreements

Common questions and practical answers for completing, signing, and enforcing a Real Estate Appraisal Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are enforceable when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Confirm platform audit trails and any industry-specific disclosure requirements.
Do appraisal agreements need notarization?
Generally no; appraisal agreements are contracts that do not always require notarization. Some lenders or jurisdictions may request notarized certifications or notarized affidavits; deeds and conveyances still require a notary acknowledgement in all states.
Can I rely on an e-signed appraisal?
Yes, if the e-signature meets legal validity tests (intent, consent, attribution, retention) and the platform preserves a tamper-evident audit trail. For high-risk or regulatory uses, consider stronger signer authentication or PKI-based digital signatures.
What if parties are in different states?
State law can affect notarization, witness rules, and retention periods. ESIGN generally governs interstate electronic signatures (15 U.S.C. ch. 96), but intrastate matters may fall under UETA or specific state statutes; consult counsel for cross-jurisdictional reliance.
How long should I keep agreements?
Retain originals for the engagement term plus at least three years for business records; retain tax- or HIPAA-related materials per federal minimums (IRC §6501(a); 45 CFR §164.530(j)). State rules may require longer retention.
Which fields are most critical to get right?
Essential fields include party names, property legal description, effective date, scope, fee terms, and signatures. Errors in these fields can cause enforcement problems, tax issues, or backup withholding triggers when payer information is incorrect.

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