A mistake I see appraisers often make, especially when business feels slow, is letting the client dictate the scope of work. The temptation is real. You want the assignment, you want the fee, you do not want to lose the job. But at the end of the day, you are the one signing your name on that appraisal report. Not the client. Not their attorney. Not their uncle who “knows a Realtor.”
The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) makes it clear. The appraiser decides the scope of work. Period. If you cave to a client’s demands that do not line up with proper practice, you are risking your license and your credibility for a quick check.
Let me give you two real-world examples.
Example 1: The Family Buyout
I had an estate appraisal for a family buyout. As always, I included the intended use and purpose in the appraisal report. I wrote “To ascertain current market value for a potential buyout between family members.” Straightforward, accurate, and transparent.
The client did not like that. He told me, “Just take out the part about the buyout. Leave it blank.”
I told him no. I can word it differently if he prefers, such as “estate-related.” I also explained that if he wanted, I could omit the purpose in the report and note it as confidential, while retaining the actual purpose in my work file. That is an option. What I will not do is remove the purpose altogether just because he asked me to. That is not how this works. I am responsible for the content of my report, not the client.
Example 2: The Immigration Case
In another case, I was hired for an immigration-related appraisal. The client paid me, and I was preparing to move forward with a desktop-type product. Before I even started, he emailed me and said, “Just make sure it comes in at $500,000 because that’s what we’re putting on the application.”
That was an immediate red flag. I messaged him right back: “Appraisers cannot accept assignments with predetermined results. The value will be what the market data supports. If you need a guaranteed $500,000, I am not your guy.”
Once I explained that, he understood and said, “I know, it’s okay.” I told him, “All right, then we will move forward and wherever it falls, it falls.” So in this case, I did move forward with the job.
Here is the point: You cannot let clients be in the driver seat. You set the scope. You write the report. You take responsibility. If they want you to cut corners, omit key details, or guarantee a number, you need to walk away without hesitation.
Some of the best assignments you will ever have are the ones you do not take. Protecting your credibility, your license, and your reputation is worth far more than one fee check.
Remember: you are the appraiser. Act like it.
And if you want to connect with like-minded appraisers who share referrals and support each other in the non-lender space, join the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. It is free to join, and you will put yourself in the mix for referral opportunities from your peers.
