What does an appraiser do?

An appraiser provides an objective, impartial, and unbiased opinion of the value of real property. To reach that opinion, the appraiser verifies the property description in public records, inspects and photographs the property, analyzes sales of comparable properties, and prepares a written report on the estimated value. Residential appraisers work on properties that house one to four units, while commercial appraisers specialize in income-producing properties such as office buildings, hotels, and stores.

A real estate appraiser develops a valuation of a property, and in an FHA-financed transaction the appraiser also acts as the lender's on-site representative, verifying that the property meets FHA acceptability criteria. Alabama recognizes five classifications with different scopes of practice: Certified Residential appraisers may appraise 1-4 unit residential property without regard to value, while Certified General appraisers may appraise all types of real property. All appraisals in Alabama must comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

A real estate appraiser estimates the value of real property, most often for federally related transactions such as mortgage lending. In Alaska, appraisers register as trainees and work under a supervisory appraiser before certifying, since trainees cannot independently appraise property for federally related transactions. A residential certificate holder may appraise 1-4 unit residential property, or up to 12 units when no net-income capitalization analysis is required and a secondary mortgage market form is used.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value for clients such as lenders, courts, and property owners, and in Arkansas must perform all appraisal work in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The scope depends on the credential: a Certified General Appraiser faces no transaction value or complexity limits, while State Licensed and Certified Residential Appraisers are capped at $250,000 on nonresidential property such as farms and timberland.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's market value for clients such as lenders, lawyers, and government agencies. When an appraisal supports an FHA loan, the appraiser also verifies that the property meets HUD's Minimum Property Standards covering safety, soundness, and security. Colorado licenses appraisers at several levels, and each license level sets the property types and transaction values the appraiser may handle.

An appraiser estimates the value of real property, usually for a fee. Most assignments support lending decisions: federal law requires a state-licensed or certified appraiser when a federally insured bank or financial institution makes the loan. In Connecticut, a provisional appraiser may estimate value only under the supervision of a certified appraiser.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value. The credential sets the scope: a Licensed Real Property Appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-to-4 unit residential properties valued under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000, while a Certified General appraiser may appraise all types of real property. Appraisers must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and trainees may assist on appraisals only under a certified supervisor who accepts total responsibility for the report.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of the value of real property. In Florida, a Certified Residential Appraiser issues appraisal reports for residential property of one to four units, and a Certified General Appraiser may appraise any type of real property. A Registered Trainee Appraiser performs appraisal services only under a supervisor's direct supervision.

A real estate appraiser develops a supported opinion of a property's market value. The work involves inspecting the property, researching comparable sales, and preparing a written report under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). In Hawaii, typical assignments include financing appraisals as well as estate valuation, divorce settlements, property tax assessments, and foreclosure work.

A real estate appraiser develops an independent opinion of a property's value. Federal law requires a state license or certification for appraisals used in federally related transactions, such as loans made by federally insured banks. Common assignments include mortgage financing, estate and probate valuations, divorce settlements, tax appeals, and review appraisals of other appraisers' work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, independent fee appraisers are paid per appraisal and may work more than 40 hours per week.

A real estate appraiser estimates the value of real property. Illinois appraisers are licensed under the state's Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act and must practice in accordance with USPAP on every assignment. Only state-certified appraisers can independently appraise property for federally related transactions such as FHA-insured mortgages; trainees must work under an approved supervisor. Assignments range from single-family reports on the URAR form to commercial, agricultural, and special-use properties.

An appraiser estimates the market value of real property, most often for a lender deciding whether to approve a mortgage. The appraisal serves the lender's benefit, while a home inspection serves the buyer. In Indiana, a trainee appraiser may only assist in preparing an appraisal under the direct supervision of a certified or licensed appraiser, who must approve and sign the final report.

A real estate appraiser estimates the value of real property, most often for mortgage lending on federally related transactions. The credential sets the scope: a Kentucky Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit properties under $400,000, while Certified Residential and Certified General appraisers cover broader property types. Trainee-level associates may appraise only what their supervising appraiser may appraise.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of the value of real property, and the work an appraiser may perform depends on the credential held. In Louisiana, a Licensed Residential appraiser covers non-complex one-to-four unit residential properties with transaction value under $1,000,000, while a Certified General appraiser may appraise all types of real property without regard to value. Appraisals support mortgage lending, listing decisions, and court matters such as divorce.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value for lenders, courts, and other users. In Maine the credential sets what you may appraise: a trainee works only under a certified supervisor, a Licensed Residential appraiser covers one-to-four unit homes below set transaction values, a Certified Residential appraiser covers one-to-four unit residential property without regard to value or complexity, and a Certified General appraiser may appraise real property of all types.

A real estate appraiser values real property, and the scope of work depends on the credential held. Under Maryland rules, a Licensed Real Estate Appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction values under $1,000,000, plus complex 1-4 unit residential and commercial properties under $250,000. A Certified General appraiser may appraise all residential or commercial property regardless of value or complexity, while a trainee may appraise only under the supervision of a certified appraiser.

A real estate appraiser develops an evaluation, opinion, conclusion, or analysis of the value of real property. Michigan law requires a person who issues a value opinion on real property to hold a limited, state licensed, certified residential, or certified general appraiser license. Much of the work supports lending: federal law requires a licensed or certified appraiser for federally related transactions, such as appraisals for loans made by federally insured banks and financial institutions.

A real estate appraiser develops and reports an opinion of a property's market value. The work involves inspecting the property, selecting comparable sales, and applying the approaches to value taught in qualifying education, including sales comparison, income, and cost approaches. Mississippi appraisers must place their license number next to their title when signing a report and keep the work file for 5 years, or 2 years after any litigation ends, whichever is later.

A real property appraiser develops an opinion of the value of real estate, typically for lenders, courts, and private clients. What an appraiser may value depends on the credential: a Licensed Appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties valued under $1,000,000, while a Certified General Appraiser may appraise all types of real property at any transaction value. In Montana, appraisers document their work in appraisal reports that the Board of Real Estate Appraisers reviews using the Montana Appraisal Review Report form.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, most often for lending and other federally related transactions. The work includes inspecting the property inside and out, analyzing the site and comparable sales, and preparing a report. Appraisals for federally related transactions must comply with USPAP, the profession's ethical and performance standards, which state-licensed and certified appraisers are required to follow.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of the value of real property, working under USPAP, the ethical and performance standards published by The Appraisal Foundation, which Congress authorized as the source of appraisal standards and qualifications. The work varies by credential: Licensed Residential appraisers value non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties, Certified Residential appraisers value 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity, and Certified General appraisers value all types of real property.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of the value of real property and may also perform appraisal reviews. In New Mexico, it is illegal to appraise real estate without a license from the Real Estate Appraiser Board. The credential level sets the scope of practice; for example, a Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value up to $1,000,000.

A real estate appraiser develops and communicates opinions of real property value. In New York, an appraiser holds a current, valid certificate issued for either general or residential real estate. For most loans, the lender orders the appraisal, and the appraiser's value estimate informs the loan decision. New York requires the appraiser's license title and number to appear on the appraisal report and contract for services.

An appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, and in North Dakota the permitted scope depends on the credential. A licensed appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 family residential properties up to $1,000,000 in transaction value and complex residential or noncomplex nonresidential properties up to $250,000. A certified residential appraiser may appraise 1-4 family homes without regard to value or complexity, and a certified general appraiser may appraise all property types. Every level must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, and licensed or certified appraisers may perform that work independently for federally related transactions. Ohio recognizes several forms of appraisal work, including appraisals, appraisal reviews, appraisal consulting, and mass appraisals. Appraisers must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and the Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Board can suspend or revoke the credential of an appraiser who violates appraiser law.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value for a client, applying the standard approaches to value in an appraisal report. In Oklahoma, credentialed appraisers must follow the current edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for covered transactions, retain their records for 5 years, and may not accept a fee contingent on the value reported.

A real estate appraiser prepares, completes, and issues an opinion of the value of real property or an interest in real property on a given date. In Oregon, a person must hold a registration, license, or certificate from the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board to perform or advertise appraisal activity, whether or not it involves a federally related transaction. Uncredentialed individuals may assist in preparing an appraisal, but they may not sign the report.

An appraiser develops an independent, professional opinion of the value of real property, usually for sales, mortgage lending, taxation, or litigation. In Rhode Island, anyone who issues an opinion or analysis of real property value or use must be licensed or certified by the state, and every licensee must follow USPAP at all times.

A real estate appraiser assigns value to real property, and in South Carolina the credential held sets the scope of work. A state-certified general appraiser may appraise all types of real property; a certified residential appraiser may appraise 1-4 residential units without regard to value or complexity, plus nonresidential appraisals under $500,000; a state-licensed appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 residential units under $1 million, and complex 1-4 residential unit and nonresidential appraisals under $500,000.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, typically for lending, sale, or tax purposes. In South Dakota, anyone who performs appraisals or holds themselves out as an appraiser must hold a credential from the Department of Labor and Regulation unless exempt. Practicing appraisers must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the profession's ethical and performance standards.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, commonly for mortgage lending, estate, divorce, and tax-appeal purposes. Tennessee appraisers begin as Registered Trainees and must work under the direct supervision of the sponsor on file with the state commission. The properties an appraiser may value depend on the credential held: a Licensed appraiser, for example, may appraise noncomplex 1-4 family residential units with a transaction value under $1,000,000, while a Certified General appraiser may appraise all types of real estate with no transaction value limit.

A real estate appraiser examines real property and estimates its market value, most often because a mortgage lender requires an appraisal when a home is bought or refinanced. Appraisers working on federally related transactions must hold a state license or certification and must comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the profession's ethical and performance standards.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, typically for a lender or client in connection with a transaction. Federal law requires a state license or certification for appraisers working on federally related transactions, such as loans from federally insured banks. Licensed and certified appraisers must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the profession's ethical and performance standards.

A real estate appraiser estimates the value of real estate. In Virginia, only individuals licensed or certified by the Real Estate Appraiser Board may call themselves real estate appraisers or perform appraisals for compensation, including appraisals for federally related transactions. Appraisers must follow the standards of professional appraisal practice and code of ethics the Board adopts, and must sign each written report with their license designation and license number.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's value, following the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) published by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. In Washington, a trainee may prepare an appraisal report, but a certified supervisory appraiser must review and sign it. USPAP does not require the appraiser to personally inspect the property, but the report must disclose the extent of any inspection.

A real estate appraiser develops an opinion of a property's market value. Wisconsin's rules recognize four categories of appraiser work: appraisal, appraisal review, appraisal consulting, and mass appraisal. All work claimed for experience credit must comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) in effect when the appraisals were prepared.

A real estate appraiser estimates the value of homes, land, and commercial property, most often to support lending and tax decisions. Federal law requires appraisers to hold a state license or certification when working on federally related transactions, such as appraisals for loans made by federally insured banks. Appraisers work in local government, real estate, finance, or for themselves; the occupation held about 68,400 jobs in 2025.