Condition Definitions - FAQ

What are Condition Definitions?

In the Library, the tab labeled Condition Definitions is where you you can create a label for an object's overall state of preservation and describe what each condition label means in plain language. For example, you might define "Excellent" as meaning the object shows no evidence of wear, loss, or restoration.

These definitions appear in your appraisal reports to help clients and reviewers understand how you assessed an object's state of preservation.

Where do they appear in the report? 

Once saved, your condition definitions are automatically added as a section, Condition Definitions, in every report you generate — typically in a supporting section that explains your condition scale. If you don't want a separate Condition Definitions section in your report, go to your Layout and delete the section Condition Definitions and its associated tags.

Adding definitions is strongly recommended for professional and USPAP-compliant appraisal reports.

Are they added to every report? 

You don't need to add Condition Definitions manually to each report. They are global — saved once in your Library and applied to all reports that include the Condition Definitions section in the Layout. Think of them as your professional standard for how you describe condition, rather than a per-report entry.

If you need different definitions for a specific engagement, you can edit your Library entries at any time.

Do I have to add standard labels like Excellent,  Good, Fair or Poor? 

No. The labels and descriptions are entirely up to you. You can use whatever terminology fits your appraisal practice and specialty — whether that's a numeric scale, descriptive terms, or something specific to your discipline.

Common examples include:

• Excellent / Very Good / Good / Fair / Poor
• Mint / Fine / Very Fine / Good / Fair
• Pristine / Stable / Deteriorated / Critical

What if I don't add any condition definitions in the Library? 

Your reports will still include the condition you assign to each property in the field labeled Condition on the property page, but without your standard explanatory definitions that provide context for that label.