Terms & Conditions
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms and Conditions govern all appraisal and consulting services provided by Spurgeon Appraisals LLC ("Spurgeon Appraisals," "we," "us," or "our"). By requesting a quote, placing or confirming an order, making a payment, or using our website, the client agrees to these Terms.
If an engagement letter or an email order confirmation conflicts with these Terms, the engagement letter or email order confirmation controls.
2. Services
We provide real estate appraisal and related valuation services for residential, agricultural (farm and land), and commercial properties within our coverage area in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. Assignments outside our coverage area may be accepted at our discretion and may include additional travel fees.
3. Engagement and Scope of Work
Each assignment begins once we receive a signed engagement letter or written order confirming the property, intended use, intended users, report type, effective date, fee, and due date.
The scope of work is determined by the appraiser in accordance with USPAP and applicable regulations. Changes to the scope of work after engagement may affect the fee and due date.
4. Appraiser Independence
Our fee is not contingent on the value reported, on a predetermined value, on a direction in value that favors the client, or on any subsequent event such as loan approval or the closing of a sale. We will not accept any assignment with conditions that compromise the appraiser's independence or objectivity.
5. Client Responsibilities
The client agrees to:
Provide accurate and complete information and documents requested by the appraiser.
Arrange safe and timely access to the property, including all buildings and areas to be inspected.
Notify us promptly of any changes to the property, the transaction, or the assignment.
Delays in providing information or access will extend the delivery date.
6. Fees
Fees are quoted based on property type, size, complexity, location, report type, and requested turnaround time. Additional fees may apply for rush service, additional buildings, complex or unique properties, travel outside our standard area, or changes in scope.
7. Payment Policy
Institutional clients. For assignments ordered by banks and other lending institutions, appraisal management companies (AMCs), Farm Credit Services (FCS), the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), cities, counties, and other government agencies, no advance payment is required. We send an invoice when the report is delivered. Invoices are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date (Net 30).
Individual clients. For assignments ordered by individuals (including estate and trust, divorce, private sale, tax, and other personal-use appraisals), payment is required when the assignment is engaged, before the property inspection is scheduled.
Accepted payment methods:
Check payable to Spurgeon Appraisals LLC, mailed to 403 County Road 401, Fayette, MO 65248; or
The secure online payment link included with your QuickBooks invoice.
8. Late or Non-Payment
Invoices not paid within thirty (30) days of the invoice date are past due. We may place new orders from a client with a past-due balance on hold until the account is brought current. The client is responsible for reasonable costs of collecting past-due balances, to the extent permitted by law.
9. Turnaround and Delivery
Estimated delivery dates begin once we have received the engagement letter, any required payment, all requested documents, and property access. Delivery dates are estimates and may be affected by weather, property access, data availability, or client delays. Reports are delivered electronically in PDF and XML format.
10. Revisions, Reconsideration of Value, and Trip Fees
Revisions. Revision requests made after the report is delivered are billed based on the nature and extent of the request. We will tell you the revision fee before starting the work. For orders placed through a lender or AMC, revisions follow the terms of that client's engagement or panel agreement.
Reconsideration of value. Requests must be submitted in writing and include supporting market data. The appraiser will review the information and may or may not change the opinion of value.
Trip fees. A trip fee applies to travel outside our standard service area and to any additional trip to the property requested by the client or made necessary by the client. The trip fee will be stated in the quote or engagement letter.
11. Cancellation
Cancellations are governed by our [Refund and Cancellation Policy].
12. Use of Report and Reliance
The report may be used only by the client and the intended users named in the report, and only for the stated intended use. No other party may rely on the report. Delivering a copy to a borrower, owner, or other party does not make that party an intended user.
13. Intellectual Property
All reports, work files, photographs, and analyses remain the property of Spurgeon Appraisals LLC. The client receives a license to use the report for its stated intended use. The report may not be reproduced, published, or used in advertising or offering materials without our prior written consent.
14. Court Testimony and Additional Services
The appraisal fee does not include depositions, court or hearing testimony, meetings with attorneys, or preparation for litigation. If requested, these services will be billed at our current hourly rate plus expenses and may require advance payment.
15. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the total liability of Spurgeon Appraisals LLC, its members, appraisers, and employees arising from any assignment shall not exceed the fee paid for that assignment. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
16. Confidentiality and Communications
Confidentiality. We handle all client information in accordance with the USPAP Ethics Rule and our Privacy Policy.
Communications. By providing an email address or phone number, the client agrees to receive communications about the assignment by email, phone, or text message. Text messaging is subject to the opt-in and opt-out terms in our Privacy Policy.
17. Website Use
Content on our website, including published pricing, is provided for general information and does not constitute a quote or engagement. We may change website content and pricing at any time.
18. Governing Law and Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri. The parties agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute through good-faith discussion. Any dispute not resolved this way shall be brought in the state courts located in Howard County, Missouri, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
19. [Changes to These Terms]
[We may update these Terms from time to time. The version posted on our website at the time an assignment is engaged applies to that assignment.]
20. Contact Us
Spurgeon Appraisals LLC
403 County Road 401, Fayette, MO 65248
Phone: (573) 769-7779
Email: frontdesk@spurgeonappraisals.com
Website: spurgeonappraisals.com