Updated August 17, 2026. Educational information only; not legal, tax, lending, engineering or accounting advice.
Define what is being reviewed
Identify the report, effective date, client, intended use and specific review question. A general request to say whether a value is wrong is not a complete scope.
The review may address factual accuracy, comparable selection, methods, adjustments, reconciliation or compliance with stated requirements.
Choose review or new appraisal
A review evaluates existing work. A new appraisal independently develops value from the underlying property and market evidence.
Some decisions need both, but combining them without clear labels can confuse users about which conclusion comes from which assignment.
Provide the complete record
Supply the entire report, exhibits, relevant property documents and any reliable facts believed to be incorrect.
Do not remove unfavorable pages or provide only a grid. Context, assumptions, certification and scope are essential to credible review.
Use market evidence objectively
Alternative sales should be tested for date, location, condition, quality, size and transaction relevance—not selected only because they support a preferred result.
A review can identify unsupported precision or weak reasoning while still concluding that the overall value range is reasonable.
Understand possible conclusions
The reviewer may agree, disagree, request more information or find that a conclusion cannot be determined from the record.
Review findings should be communicated for the identified client and use. They are not automatically transferable to litigation, lending or public complaint processes.
Assignment planning checklist
- Provide complete appraisal
- State review purpose
- Identify client and users
- List specific concerns
- Attach factual documents
- Distinguish review from new appraisal
- Use relevant alternative sales
- Avoid target conclusion
- Confirm whether value opinion is requested
- Define report format
Frequently asked questions
Will a review always produce a new value?
No. A review can address credibility without developing an independent value conclusion.
Can the original appraiser be contacted?
Communication depends on client authority, confidentiality and assignment structure.
Is a reconsideration the same as review?
No. A reconsideration is usually a request to the original appraiser through the client's process.
Can a review be used in court?
Only when it is properly scoped for that intended use and coordinated with counsel.
Send the address, intended use, effective date and material property characteristics before scheduling.
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