To whom is an appraiser allowed to reveal a property's value estimate?

An appraiser is permitted to disclose a property's value estimate primarily to the client. The client is the party that ordered the appraisal and is usually the one who pays for it. This is a fundamental principle in the appraisal profession, as the appraiser has a fiduciary duty to maintain confidentiality regarding the appraisal findings, except in matters where disclosure is permitted or required.

The integrity of the appraisal process relies on the appraiser's relationship with the client. Since the client benefits from the appraisal report and value opinion, the appraiser is obligated to communicate their findings directly to this party. This ensures that the client has complete and accurate information to make informed decisions regarding the property.

Regarding the other options, while the buyer, buyer's agent, and seller may have an interest in the property's value, they are not privy to the value estimate as a matter of course unless the client decides to share that information. The appraiser's responsibility to maintain confidentiality will generally extend to these parties unless permission is given by the client to disclose the information.