The following excerpt was taken from www.appraisalfoundation.org.

Have you ever...Bought a house? Sold an antique? Inherited a farm? Donated property? Owned a business? Paid property taxes? Bought fine jewelry? Served as an executor of an estate? Given up part of your property through a right of way taking?

If so, then you are like most people who from time to time enter into a situation, financial or otherwise, involving the need for an appraisal. An appraisal is an independent, unbiased estimate of value that often serves as a cornerstone in a transaction. Professional appraisers value property with independence and objectivity.

A key question to ask prior to engaging an appraiser, is whether or not her or she performs services in compliance with the current annual edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

USPAP, published annually by the Appraisal Standards Board of The Appraisal Foundation, is the generally accepted set of standards of professional appraisal practice in North America.

In the United States, USPAP is recognized by state real estate appraiser licensing agencies, Federal bank regulatory agencies and many other Federal, state and local authorities.

Selecting an ethical appraiser who complies with USPAP is the consumer's best assurance that he or she is working with a professional who will provide quality services.

For more information on appraisals, go www.appraisalfoundation.org.