Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What must an appraiser do if a client wishes to remain anonymous?

1. They can ignore the request

2. They must document the client without personal detail in the report

3. They must still identify them in the workfile

4. They can only disclose the name if legally required

The correct answer is: They must still identify them in the workfile

The appraiser must still identify the client in the workfile, even if the client wishes to remain anonymous. This involves documenting the client's identity in a way that ensures compliance with professional standards and regulatory requirements. Workfiles serve as the back-up for the appraiser's report, and retaining information about the client is crucial to maintaining transparency and accountability in the appraisal process. Maintaining the client's anonymity in the report itself is permissible, allowing for some confidentiality in the final document presented to third parties. However, the appraiser is obligated to have the client's identity recorded in the workfile for future reference and to comply with appraiser regulations and ethical guidelines. This ensures that if questions or issues arise regarding the appraisal, the appraiser can reference the client's identity while still honoring the client's request for anonymity in public-facing documents.