Consumer Resources

Whether assessing real property, personal property, or a business, a professional appraiser will provide an unbiased and thoughtful analysis of value. Understanding the value of your assets is essential to making informed decisions and protecting you and your family's financial well-being.

As the Congressionally authorized source of appraisal standards and qualifications in the United States, The Appraisal Foundation (Foundation) places great importance on public trust in the valuation process.  The Foundation works to ensure public trust by establishing high quality standards of practice and qualifications on those entering the profession.  The standards, qualifications, and guidance developed by the Foundation encompass all property types including real property, personal property, and business and intangible assets.   Consumers can feel confident that an appraisal completed by an appraiser who adheres to these standards and qualifications will produce a reliable estimate of the value of the property being appraised.

When do you need a credentialed appraiser?

There are a host of life events that can call for a credentialed appraiser. Check out our consumer video series to find out when you need to get an appraisal for your:
Real Property
Personal Property
Business

Check out our podcast!

The Appraisal Foundation's podcast Appraiser Talk has some great episodes for consumers to learn more about appraisals and the appraisal process. Click here to check out the full list of episodes. You can also submit a question to the podcast by emailing [email protected].

Helpful Resources for Home Buyers

For those engaged in the home buying process, the links below will help you understand the appraisal process.
  
When Would an Appraisal be Done on my Home?
A video guide explaining the appraisal process and different scenarios that may require a home appraisal.

Why Engage a Professional Appraiser
A brochure developed by The Appraisal Foundation that outlines the elements of a professional appraiser (for all property types). 

Common Myths about Appraisals in the Home Buying Process
To review common myths and facts about the appraisal process designed specifically for borrowers. 

A Guide to Understanding a Residential Appraisal
A comprehensive brochure developed by The Appraisal Foundation to educate consumers on valuation as it relates to the residential mortgage lending process.  

From the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:  Your Home Loan Toolkit
A toolkit produced by the CFPB to provide guidance to consumers on the real estate settlement process and how to find the best mortgage.

Helpful Resources for Consumers and Clients of Personal Property Appraisals

For those who need an appraisal of fine art, antiques, collectibles, gems & jewelry or other types of personal property.

When Do You Need a Credentialed Appraiser
A video developed by The Appraisal Foundation that outlines the situations that might require a personal property appraisal.  

How Do You Find a Credentialed Appraiser
A video developed by The Appraisal Foundation that outlines how to identify and locate a credentialed personal property appraiser.

Personal Property Best Practices
A guide for consumers to better understand personal property appraisals and how to identify a qualified appraiser.

Personal Property Appraisals and You
This brochure details information about personal property appraisal including what a personal property appraiser is, how to know if they are qualified and essential elements of a credible appraisal.

The Four D's in Personal Property Appraisal
A guide for consumers to better understand personal property appraisals and how to identify a qualified appraiser.

Valuation of Fine and Decorative Arts  
A brochure that provides information on the appraisal process as it relates to fine and decorative arts, including antiques.

Valuation of Gems and Jewelry
A brochure that provides information on the appraisal process as it relates to gems and jewelry. 

Valuation of Machinery and Equipment
A brochure is to help you understand a machinery and equipment appraisal.

Helpful Resources for Consumers and Clients of Business Valuation

When Do You Need a Credentialed Business Valuation
A video developed by The Appraisal Foundation that outlines the situations that might require a business valuation.  

How Do You Find a Credentialed Business Valuer
A video developed by The Appraisal Foundation that outlines how to identify and locate a credentialed business valuer.

Helpful Resources for Consumers on Land

ASFMRA Consumer Resource: Find a Land Expert

Helpful Resources for Consumers on Mass Appraisals

Understanding how your property taxes are assessed.

Understanding Your Assessment 
Provides information that explains the assessment process. 

For the Property Owner Who Wants to Know
Provides a general overview of property tax systems and how they work.

International Association of Assessing Officers, 
Courtesy of the International Association of Assessing Officers and the Appraisal Sponsor of the Foundation, here are some resources for those with questions on mass appraisals or property assessments. 

Regulatory Links

What to do if you need to make a complaint
A video guide explaining the appraisal regulatory system and what consumers should do if they need to make a complaint.

Enforcement and Complaints
The Appraisal Foundation is not an enforcement agency and does not have the authority to receive or process complaints against appraisers. You can learn more about the regulatory system governing the appraisal profession on our Enforcement and Complaints page. 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Established by the U.S. Congress, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) helps protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws.  The CFPB works to ensure that consumers obtain all the necessary information to make informed financial decisions.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) works to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.

Appraisal Complaint National Hotline
The Appraisal Complaint National Hotline (Hotline) is a referral system for complaints on alleged violations of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and/or appraisal independence requirements. 

State Real Estate Appraiser Regulatory Boards
Each US State or Territory has a state appraiser regulatory agency, which is responsible for licensing and certifying real property appraisers and supervising their appraisal-related activities, as required by Federal law. A complete list of state agencies and their contact information.

Fair Housing Assistance Program Agencies 
HUD maintains a list of state level agencies and organizations that can assist consumers who believe they have experienced housing discrimination.