Are appraisal reports valid if e-signed?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally effective when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Ensure the signer’s identity is verifiable and a reproducible record is retained.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is generally not required for appraisal reports themselves, but certain jurisdictions or legal proceedings may request notarized affidavits or certified copies. Check the specific state or lender requirement before notarizing.

How should sensitive data be handled?

Limit exposure of personal health or financial data; if the package contains PHI, follow HIPAA rules and sign a BAA with the service provider (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Use encryption and access controls.

What if there is an error after delivery?

Issue a corrected report or addendum clearly labeled as a revision, dated and signed by the appraiser. Retain both versions and an explanation in the workfile to preserve auditability.

How long must appraisal files be retained?

Retention depends on purpose: lenders often retain for the life of the loan plus several years; IRS and other regulators have minimums (e.g., IRC §6501(a) for tax records). Follow lender and state guidance.

How do I confirm the appraiser’s credentials?

Verify the state license number and standing via the state appraiser licensing board prior to acceptance; include the license number in the report to simplify downstream verification.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Real Estate Appraisal Package

Real Estate Appraisal Package

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

Real Estate Appraisal Package

Client Name: Appraiser/Company:

Agreement Date:

RECITALS (WHEREAS)

WHEREAS, Client desires an independent real estate appraisal and related deliverables for the property described below for the limited and specified purpose set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Appraiser represents that it is duly qualified, licensed where required, and experienced to perform such appraisal services in accordance with applicable professional appraisal standards and law; and

WHEREAS, the parties agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Real Estate Appraisal Package, which shall govern the appraisal engagement and the relationship between Client and Appraiser.

PROPERTY & ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Property Address Assessor / Parcel Number Intended Use of Appraisal

SCOPE OF WORK

Scope of Work Description

Appraiser shall perform a professional appraisal consistent with the stated scope, which may include on-site inspection, photographic documentation, comparable sales analysis, market data review, and preparation of supporting workfile. The report will be prepared for the stated intended use and for Client as the sole intended user unless otherwise agreed in writing.

DELIVERABLES

Select deliverables to be provided:

Full narrative appraisal report
Standard form report (summary)
Field inspection and photographs
Floor plan / sketch
Comparable sales data and analysis

Number of Copies / Delivery Method

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Fee:

Payment Schedule

Late Payment: Interest shall accrue on overdue amounts at per month (or the maximum permitted by law). Client shall also reimburse Appraiser for reasonable collection costs.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term Commencement Date: Term Expiration Date:

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breach is not cured within days after written notice. Termination shall not relieve Client of obligation to pay for work performed prior to termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All nonpublic information, appraisal data and workfiles produced under this Agreement are confidential and shall not be disclosed by either party except as required by law or as expressly authorized in writing by the other party. Client acknowledges that Appraiser may retain copies of files to comply with professional standards and regulatory obligations.

ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITING CONDITIONS

Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATION

Appraiser certifies that the appraisal will be performed in conformity with applicable professional standards and licensing requirements. Appraiser's opinion of value will be impartial, unbiased, and rendered with professional care. Appraiser's certification and scope of work shall be included in the delivered report.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to conflict of law principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including all attachments and the delivered appraisal report, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the appraisal engagement and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

AUTHORIZATION & ACCESS

Client hereby authorizes Appraiser and its authorized representatives to access the property for the purpose of inspection and to obtain public and proprietary data necessary to complete the appraisal. Client warrants that it has authority to grant such access.

Client authorization: Client authorizes site access and information release

WORK FILE RETENTION

Appraiser will retain appraisal work files as required by applicable professional standards for the prescribed retention period. Work files may include notes, photographs, electronic files, and supporting data.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Client Contact Appraiser Contact

Client

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Appraiser

Appraiser Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Appraisal Package Is

A Real Estate Appraisal Package is a consolidated set of documents produced by a licensed appraiser or appraisal management company to document a property's market value, condition, and supporting data for a transaction or internal review. Typical contents include the appraisal report (form or narrative), photos, comparables, floor plans, title and zoning notes, certification of the appraiser's license and qualifications, and any client-specific addenda. The package is used by lenders, underwriters, attorneys, insurance companies, and buyers to support valuation, underwriting decisions, tax assessments, and dispute resolution.

Why a Complete Appraisal Package Matters

A well-prepared package provides a defensible, auditable valuation record that supports lending, insurance, and legal workflows while reducing follow-up requests and processing delays.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses an Appraisal Package

Several parties create, request, or rely on appraisal packages depending on the transaction type and regulatory needs.

Lenders and underwriters who need a documented market value and comparables for loan approval and risk assessment.
Real estate brokers and buyers who use the report to negotiate price and review property condition prior to closing.
Insurance companies and attorneys who need valuation support for claims, disputes, or tax-related matters.

The package should be distributed to authorized recipients only and stored according to retention policies covering regulatory and business requirements.

Step-by-step: assembling an appraisal package

Follow these sequential steps to build a complete, review-ready package suitable for lenders or legal review.

01

Collect basic data: Gather property ID, address, and client instructions first.
02

Complete report: Prepare the appraisal narrative and valuation conclusion.
03

Add supporting files: Attach photos, maps, and comparables with clear labels.
04

Verify credentials: Confirm appraiser license and include signature and date.

Typical workflow for delivery and review

A standardized flow helps recipients review, accept, or request follow-up efficiently.

Prepare package: Appraiser compiles report and attachments.
Internal QA: Supervisor or AMC reviews for completeness.
Deliver to recipient: Send via secure upload or eSignature-enabled link.
Recipient review: Lender or client reviews and approves or requests clarifications.

Recommended digital workflow settings

Configure digital delivery and authentication to balance accessibility with regulatory requirements.

Field	Configuration
Document format	PDF/A for final package; Word or DOCX for drafts
Authentication	Email plus SMS or knowledge-based checks for higher assurance
Audit trail	Enable timestamps, IP logging, and signer attribution
Retention	Automate archival to encrypted storage per retention rules

Core components to include in a professional package

Ensure the package contains standardized, labeled elements to satisfy lenders, insurers, and legal reviewers and to create a defensible valuation record.

Appraisal Report

Full narrative or form report including valuation approaches, reconciled value, and the appraiser’s certification with signature and date for acceptance by underwriters and auditors.

Photographic Evidence

Clear interior and exterior photos with captions and dates that document condition, amenities, and any observable defects referenced in the report narrative.

Comparables Worksheet

A spreadsheet or table showing comparables, adjustments, sale dates, and distances to support the market-based valuation methodology and reproducibility of results.

Site and Zoning Notes

Brief written summary of zoning classification, lot dimensions, floodplain or easement notes, and relevant municipal restrictions that affect property value.

Workfile Documentation

Appraiser workfile materials such as data sources, MLS printouts, and calculation worksheets retained to support the appraisal conclusion on inspection or audit.

Certification & Licensure

Signed appraiser certification with state license number, jurisdiction, and contact information to establish professional accountability and compliance.

Security and compliance essentials for electronic packages

Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2/1.3

Encryption at rest: AES-256

Audit trail: Timestamped event logs

HIPAA support: BAA required

Regulatory standards: ESIGN and UETA

Record integrity: Tamper-evident storage

Practical tips to improve accuracy and speed

Follow these practices to reduce review cycles, ensure compliance, and create a consistent, auditable package.

Standardize report templates and labels

Use a consistent file naming convention, labeled attachments, and a single PDF/A final package to reduce recipient confusion and speed automated ingestion into loan origination or document management systems.

Include searchable metadata and indexes

Embed metadata fields such as report ID, property address, and effective date; provide a one-page index at the front of the package so reviewers can quickly locate comparables, photos, and certifications.

Validate license and authority upfront

Confirm appraiser licensure and qualifications before assignment; include license numbers and state of issuance to prevent regulatory follow-up or acceptance delays from lenders.

Use secure delivery with audit trails

Deliver the final package via encrypted channels and require an auditable acceptance step so recipient access, downloads, and signature events are recorded for compliance and dispute resolution.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the package

Incomplete comparables or missing sale dates that weaken the reasoning for adjustments and the final value conclusion.
Omitting the appraiser’s license number or signature, which can cause lenders or regulators to reject the report.
Supplying low-resolution photos or unlabeled attachments that force reviewers to request replacements and delay processing.
Using inconsistent property addresses or multiple identifiers that lead to title or underwriting mismatches.

Risks and potential consequences of errors

Regulatory rejection: Report may be rejected

Lender delays: Loan approval held up

Professional discipline: State board action possible

Legal exposure: Litigation or indemnity claims

Reputational harm: Loss of client trust

Financial loss: Additional remediation costs

Representative examples of real-world use

These short examples show typical usage scenarios and outcomes when packages are prepared and delivered correctly.

Martin Properties (Case)

A regional brokerage needed fast appraisal turnover for multiple closings

Used standardized packages for consistency across deals
Resulting files reduced follow-up requests and supported remote closings while maintaining compliance with lender documentation requirements.

Optica Ventures LLC (Case)

A private equity investor required defensible valuations during portfolio review

Combined narrative reports, comparables, and photos into one indexed PDF
The consolidated package simplified internal audits and supported transparent decision-making across stakeholders.

eSignature vendor comparison for delivering appraisal packages

Comparison of basic pricing and core features relevant when selecting an eSignature provider to distribute appraisal packages securely and compliantly.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	No cap	No cap	No cap

Frequently asked questions about appraisal packages

Answers to common questions about validity, signatures, retention, and correcting errors in appraisal packages.

Need help? Contact support

Are appraisal reports valid if e-signed?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally effective when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Ensure the signer’s identity is verifiable and a reproducible record is retained.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is generally not required for appraisal reports themselves, but certain jurisdictions or legal proceedings may request notarized affidavits or certified copies. Check the specific state or lender requirement before notarizing.
How should sensitive data be handled?
Limit exposure of personal health or financial data; if the package contains PHI, follow HIPAA rules and sign a BAA with the service provider (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Use encryption and access controls.
What if there is an error after delivery?
Issue a corrected report or addendum clearly labeled as a revision, dated and signed by the appraiser. Retain both versions and an explanation in the workfile to preserve auditability.
How long must appraisal files be retained?
Retention depends on purpose: lenders often retain for the life of the loan plus several years; IRS and other regulators have minimums (e.g., IRC §6501(a) for tax records). Follow lender and state guidance.
How do I confirm the appraiser’s credentials?
Verify the state license number and standing via the state appraiser licensing board prior to acceptance; include the license number in the report to simplify downstream verification.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now