is the individual or entity that creates a contractual relationship with the real estate professional.

The appraisal client is generally the party engaging the services of the appraiser. The client may or may not be the party who pays the appraiser for his or her services. A financial institution may request an appraisal for a mortgage loan. The borrower/owner may pay the appraiser at the time of the inspection but the actual client for the appraisal service would be the financial institution who engaged the appraiser to perform the valuation service.