The Uniform Act requires that federally-assisted projects follow certain appraisal standards in order to ensure that all property owners are treated fairly in the valuation of their real property. Appraisals must be well supported, documented, and reviewed to conform to the Uniform Act's requirements.
Appraisal Review
This 2012 memorandum, sent from the HEPR Office Director to the Division Administrators, The Directors of Federal Lands, and Division Realty Officers, discusses the importance of appraisal review as a key QA/QC element of Federal-aid Highway program delivery. The memo also contains information on best practices for preparing an appropriate scope of work for the review along with appraisal review implementation.
Effectiveness and Impacts of FHWA's Implementation of the 49 CFR 24.102(c)(2) Appraisal Waiver
This 2007 national survey measured the effectiveness and impacts of the “Final Rule,” a 1987 rule which expanded the limits and conditions under which an appraisal waives may be used in lieu of an appraisal.
FHWA Waiver Valuations Study, August 2018 - November 2020 (11/2020)
The Federal Highway Administration conducted research and analysis on the current state of the waiver valuation program nationwide, to support a Notice of Proposed Rule Making initiative to update the waiver valuation sections of 49 CFR part 24, and to enhance streamlining opportunities available to acquiring agencies subject to Federal regulations. This report summarizes and presents the research, which included a nationwide survey, interviews with selected survey respondents, and a literature search.
Guide for Preparing an Appraisal Scope of Work
This 2019 guide takes practitioners through the process of developing an appropriate Scope of Work, the written set of expectations that form an agreement or understanding between the appraiser and the agency as to the specific requirements of the appraisal.
Appraisal Training
There are three NHI appraisal courses available. One is an instructor led classroom-based course. The other two courses are web based with one being asynchronous (self-paced), and the other being an instructor-led web conference training course.
Project Development Guide
The Project Development Guide has been developed as a reference for those responsible for completing the acquisition of realty for a transportation project. The Guide presents data in the following order, based on the typical project development process: Federal laws; regulations; policies; procedures; implementation through policy interpretations, and best practices.
Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, Interagency Land Acquisition Conference 2016 (PDF 262 pages)
This is the sixth edition of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions. The Standards were originally published in 1971 with the most recent revision published in December 2016. The existing Standards have earned a prestigious position as a national resource for appraisal requirements for litigation support. They are frequently cited by Congress in legislation relating to the valuation of federal land acquisitions, and have guided the appraisal process in these matters since their original issuance by the Interagency Land Acquisition Conference. The appraisal standards must be adhered to by Federal agencies in all direct land acquisition efforts.
