A compliant Desktop Appraisal, without the site visit

 Opteon's Desktop Appraisal gives you a licensed appraiser's opinion of value, built on verified property data and a compliant floor plan, no in-person inspection required. Faster turnaround times, the same rigor you expect from Opteon.

Not every loan needs an appraiser on-site

Purchase and refinance volume doesn't slow down just because appraiser capacity is tight. Fannie Mae's 1004 Desktop and Freddie Mac's 70D forms give lenders a GSE-eligible path to a full appraisal opinion of value, completed entirely off verified data, without requiring the appraiser to physically visit the property.

The challenge isn't whether a desktop appraisal is allowed. It's whether the data behind it is complete and accurate enough for the appraiser to stand behind the value and whether your AMC can deliver that consistently.

What is a Desktop Appraisal?

A Desktop Appraisal is a GSE-compliant appraisal (Fannie Mae Form 1004 Desktop or Freddie Mac Form 70D) in which a licensed, credentialed appraiser develops an opinion of market value without inspecting the property in person.

Instead of a site visit, the appraiser works from:

  • A compliant floor plan showing interior walls, room layout, and dimensions

  • ANSI-aligned gross living area (GLA) calculations

  • Verified interior and exterior photographs

  • County/township assessor data and MLS records

  • Comparable sales and, where relevant, prior appraisal files

The appraiser still performs the full scope of analysis USPAP requires -reviewing data, selecting and adjusting comparables, and forming an independent opinion of value. What changes is how the property information is collected, not the diligence behind the number.

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Completed by a licensed, credentialed appraiser
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Backed by Opteon's quality control review
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No site visit required
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Fannie Mae 1004 Desktop & Freddie Mac 70D compliant
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Typically completed in 5–10 days

vs. 7–14+ for a traditional interior appraisal

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When a Desktop Appraisal Is the Right Call

A desktop appraisal earns its speed by relying on existing, reliable data instead of a fresh site visit. That makes it a strong fit when:

You're running due diligence on a portfolio or MSR acquisition and need USPAP-compliant valuations at scale, faster than interior inspections would allow

You need appraisal-level documentation but interior access isn't feasible in your timeline

You're evaluating a loan modification or refinance and have recent, reliable photos or condition information on file

The property sits in a stable market where comparable sales data is deep and reliable

When to choose something else:
A desktop appraisal isn't the right tool when current condition is uncertain and material to value — for example, a property that's been vacant, shows signs of possible deferred maintenance, or is tied to a legal matter (divorce, estate, litigation) where an interior inspection may be challenged. In those cases, a full interior appraisal or an interior BPO is the more defensible choice.

Why It's Right for You

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Faster, Without Cutting Corners

Removing the site visit removes the single biggest source of scheduling delay in a traditional appraisal, without removing the appraiser's independent judgment or USPAP-level analysis.

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Built on Verified Data, Not Assumptions

Every Desktop Appraisal is built on a compliant floor plan, ANSI-aligned GLA, and verified photography, reviewed by a licensed appraiser, not auto-generated from a model.

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GSE-Eligible, Nationwide

Completed to Fannie Mae 1004 Desktop and Freddie Mac 70D specifications by appraisers credentialed in the subject property's state, backed by Opteon's quality control process.

What we need to complete your Desktop Appraisal

To keep your order moving without delay, a Desktop Appraisal order needs

Floor Plan

Interior walls, room-by-room layout, and dimensions sufficient to support GLA calculations

Building Sketch

Exterior dimensions of the structure 

GLA Calculations

Gross living area calculated to ANSI standards 

Verified Photography

Clear, current exterior photos (front, rear, street scene) and interior photos of the kitchen, all bathrooms, main living areas, and any visible deterioration or recent updates

Don't have a floor plan yet?
We can connect you with a data collection partner to capture one, or convert your order to a traditional 1004 appraisal if a desktop isn't the right fit. Either way, you're not stuck waiting.

You place the order, we do the rest

01
Place the order

Submit the property address and loan details, along with the floor plan (or request one from a data collection partner) through your LOS or ours.

02
We collate the data

Jaro pre-populates assessor, MLS, and comparable sales data, and matches the order to a credentialed appraiser licensed in that state.

03
The appraiser completes the analysis

The appraiser reviews the floor plan, photos, and comparables, develops the opinion of value, and the report goes through Opteon's quality control review.

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A GSE-compliant report, faster

You receive a completed 1004 Desktop or 70D appraisal, ready for underwriting - without the scheduling delay of a site visit.

Current Customer?

You can order a Desktop Appraisal today through your existing portal login or LOS platform. Contact your Customer Success Manager with any questions about eligibility or requirements.

New Customer?

We're glad to walk through whether a Desktop Appraisal fits your workflow, market, and loan mix. Reach out to our team to get started.

Get in Touch Now