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7 Key Considerations for Using a Restricted Appraisal Report

Real estate appraiser considering whether or not to use a Restricted Appraisal Report

In any real estate appraisal assignment, you must use one of the two written report options outlined in USPAP: Appraisal Report or Restricted Appraisal Report. A diligent appraiser can utilize the Restricted Appraisal Report option when it makes good sense for the assignment and client. Before you take on a Restricted Appraisal Report, here are some important things to consider.

1. Appraisal Report vs. Restricted Appraisal Report

First, make sure you know the difference between an Appraisal Report and a Restricted Appraisal Report. Here’s a quick overview:

2. Reporting requirements

It’s also a good idea to review the appraisal reporting requirements. USPAP STANDARD 2 clearly states the minimum content requirements for reporting a real property appraisal. Advisory Opinion 38 (AO-38) includes helpful discussion and advice on reporting requirements and issues, as well as a comparison table outlining major differences between the two written report options.

3. Which is appropriate?

Before taking on an assignment, it’s important to carefully consider whether a Restricted Appraisal Report is appropriate. There are two major caveats to consider:

  1. Be sure that the intended user is capable of understanding the appraisal analysis with limited explanation, and
  2. Remember that your workfile in support of the Restricted Appraisal Report must be sufficient to produce an Appraisal Report.

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4. Clients and intended users

Be sure to identify all clients and intended users. For a Restricted Appraisal Report, there may be other intended users in addition to the client; these additional intended users must be identified by name (not type). Or, there may be more than one client. For example, if there are two participating lenders involved in the assignment, they may be listed as co-clients and a Restricted Appraisal Report may be provided. This is assuming that a restricted disclosure of the appraisal process (i.e., data and analyses) is appropriate.

5. Use restriction statement

According to USPAP Standards Rule 2-2 (b), you must include a use restriction statement in your report. Make sure that you:

  • “clearly and conspicuously state a restriction that limits use of the report to the client and the named intended user(s)”
  • “clearly and conspicuously warn that the report may not contain supporting rationale for all of the opinions and conclusions set forth in the report”

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6. Scope of work disclosure

Reporting the scope of work is required in all appraisal reports, but it is especially critical in limited scope appraisal assignments. For example:

  • The source(s) of data that you relied on
  • The steps taken in the appraisal process
  • What you did or did not do in developing the appraisal

Proper disclosure of the scope of work will produce a clear understanding by the intended user(s) that your analysis and conclusions are well-based in data and analyses.

Do not rely entirely on pre-printed forms for the scope of work disclosure. A pre-printed list may well include a number of the steps you have followed during the research and development phases of the appraisal process; but, these are generalized statements not specific to this assignment, and are insufficient to meet your requirements under USPAP. Be sure to amend the list by adding in what is needed to make it specific to the individual assignment.

A limited scope assignment may be a desktop-only appraisal. This may be permissible, but make sure it’s disclosed and still produces credible results. If you could not inspect the property and relied on a prior appraisal, MLS and/or public record data, information provided by the client, or some other source, a clear disclosure in the report is necessary. If the source proves to be faulty, your conclusions are not supported, but your work is defended by the clear explanation in your scope of work.

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7. Development shortcuts?

A Restricted Appraisal Report does not mean your appraisal development work and documentation is unnecessary, and can therefore be skipped or ignored. According to the RECORD KEEPING RULE in USPAP, a workfile for a Restricted Appraisal Report must be sufficient to produce an Appraisal Report. So you must not take development shortcuts when using a Restricted Appraisal Report.

A Restricted Appraisal Report is not a shortcut, just a different assignment. It still requires care and diligence. Make sure your workfile is sufficient to produce an Appraisal Report. And remember, a top-notch workfile is your best defense against an offense should your work come under scrutiny.

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