1.2.6.3. Property Inspections. The appraiser must personally inspect the subject property in every assignment. Appraisers should recognize that they may have only one opportunity to physically inspect the property and should ensure that they have collected all information required to identify all property characteristics (land and improvements) that influence value. 

In partial acquisitions in which the appraiser’s inspection precedes the acquisition, the appraiser should request that the agency stake the portion(s) of the property to be acquired before the inspection so that the impact of the acquisition on the remainder can be visualized. If the appraiser’s inspection occurs after construction of the government’s project begins (most commonly in Declaration of Taking cases), the appraiser must learn about the property as it existed before the taking to ensure that the property characteristics influencing value before the taking are properly accounted for.16 In acquisitions of such large or inaccessible properties that a physical on-the-ground inspection may be impossible or not useful, the client may modify the scope of work to allow for an aerial inspection of the property. 

In most assignments, the appraiser should also conduct a physical inspection of all properties used as sales or rental comparables. The level of detail of these inspections is dependent on the complexity of the appraisal problem to be solved. Physical inspection of all properties used as sales or rental comparables is required for any appraisal being prepared for the U.S. Department of Justice for litigation purposes.