What must an appraiser disclose before accepting an assignment related to a subject property?

Before accepting an assignment related to a subject property, an appraiser is required to disclose any services they have provided regarding the subject property for the previous three years. This disclosure is crucial because it ensures transparency and trust in the appraisal process. By informing clients about any prior services rendered on the property, the appraiser helps to identify potential conflicts of interest that could affect the independence and objectivity of the appraisal.

In professional appraisal standards, particularly those outlined by organizations such as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the emphasis is on maintaining integrity and the credibility of the appraisal process. This practice assists clients in understanding the appraiser's background with the property and allows them to make informed decisions based on any previous involvement.

While financial interests in the property are important to disclose, the specific requirement concerning prior services creates a clearer picture of the appraiser's relationship to the property and past engagements. The full appraisal history or previous clients requesting appraisals may provide interesting context but is not as central to the transparency needed before an assignment as the outlined three-year service period.