USPAP's FAQ #155 breaks down the mandated USPAP Certification Statement.

• the statements of fact contained in this report are true and correct.
  
• the reported analyses, opinions, and conclusions are limited only by the reported assumptions and limiting conditions and are my personal, impartial, and unbiased professional analyses, opinions, and conclusions.
  
• I have no (or the specified) present or prospective interest in the property that is the subject of this report and no (or the specified) personal interest with respect to the parties involved.
  
• I have no bias with respect to the property that is the subject of this report or to the parties involved with this assignment.
  
• my engagement in this assignment was not contingent upon developing or reporting predetermined results.
  
• my compensation for completing this assignment is not contingent upon the development or reporting of a predetermined value or direction in value that favors the cause of the client, the amount of the value opinion, the attainment of a stipulated result, or the occurrence of a subsequent event directly related to the intended use of this appraisal.

• my analyses, opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report has been prepared, in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

• I have (or have not) made a personal inspection of the property that is the subject of this report. (If more than one person signs this Certification, the Certification must clearly specify which individuals did and which individuals did not make a personal inspection of the appraised property.)
  
• no one provided significant personal property appraisal assistance to the person signing this certification. (If there are exceptions, the name of each individual providing significant personal property appraisal assistance must be stated here.)  

For those appraisers who are interested, there are opportunities to serve the legal community as a consultant in matters relating to appraisal theory, principles, standards and methodology.

 

You may also wish to become involved in offering services as an expert witness to assist in legal cases requiring your deposition or testimony in court.

 

Prior to being deposed or appearing in court, the expert should insist on a conference with counsel. Counsel may, in an attempt to save time and money, advise the expert that no such conference is necessary and that he will come a "few minutes early" to the trial or deposition to talk things over. While this may be expedient for counsel, it will almost always result in inadequate preparation for the expert. This type of last-minute review is a recipe for disaster and experts should refuse to participate in it. Experts need time to organize their files and their thoughts. Wise experts insist on a separate appointment with counsel, days - not hours or minutes - prior to the date of deposition or testimony.
 

 

 

 

This first-ever book for personal property appraisers covers appraisal principles and methodology including terminology, approaches to value, research, ethics, sample appraisals and much, much more.