Why CSV Files Are a Cornerstone of Modern Appraisals
CSV Files: The Appraiser’s Data Backbone
In today’s residential appraisal landscape, appraisers are under increasing pressure to providedata-backed, defensible, and standardized valuations. The introduction ofUAD 3.6has raised the bar for transparency and consistency in market analyses. One often overlooked but essential tool in achieving this is theCSV file— a simple yet powerful way to structure and analyze property data.
CSV Files: The Appraiser’s Data Backbone
A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file is a lightweight, universal format that allows appraisers toexport, organize, and manipulate data from local MLS systems. Appraisers routinely generate CSVs containing comparable sales, active listings, and property characteristics. These files are not submitted to lenders, but they form thefoundation for the workfile, supporting every major aspect of an appraisal report.
By using CSVs, appraisers can efficientlyfilter, sort, and calculate key market indicatorswithout manually transcribing hundreds of data points — a process that is prone to error and time-consuming. This efficiency ensures that appraisers can spend more time interpreting market trends and less time on repetitive data entry.
Driving Market Trend Analysis
CSV files empower appraisers to examinemarket trendsin a structured and defensible way. For example:
- Median Sale Price:By sorting sold listings in the CSV, appraisers can calculate the median price over a specific period, providing a clear picture of price movements in a neighborhood or subdivision.
- Median Days on Market:CSVs track listing, contract, and closing dates, allowing appraisers to measure demand velocity and property absorption trends.
- Absorption Rate:By combining active listings and sales data, CSVs allow for calculation of months of supply, which is critical for understanding supply-demand balance.
- Home Count by Year Built:Appraisers can segment CSV data by year built to assess market composition and support depreciation or condition adjustments.
These metrics align perfectly withUAD 3.6 guidance, which encourages the inclusion ofgraphical representations of market trendsto support adjustments and conclusions. Graphs of median sale price trends, days on market, absorption rates, and year-built distributions are now recommended tovisualize market dynamics clearly and consistently.
Supporting Adjustments Through Paired Sales
Beyond market trends, CSV files are invaluable forpaired sales analysis, the standard method for determining quantitative adjustments for features like square footage, lot size, or amenities. By isolating properties that differ by a single characteristic, appraisers can calculate price differentials directly from CSV datasets, ensuringadjustments are grounded in market behavior rather than subjective opinion.
Aivre Analytics: Turning CSVs Into Insights
AtAivrewe recognize the potential of CSV-based workflows and have builtAivre Analyticsto bridge raw data and actionable insights. By importing MLS-generated CSVs, Aivre Analytics can:
- Automatically generatetrend graphs for median sale price, DOM, absorption rate, and home count by year built
- Providepaired sales and adjustment support, reducing manual calculations
- Delivermarket condition visualizationsin a UAD 3.6-compliant format
- Help appraiserstranslate data into narrativesthat are defensible and transparent for underwriting
In essence, Aivre Analytics transforms the CSV from a static spreadsheet into adynamic analytical engine, enabling appraisers to make faster, more informed decisions while maintaining compliance with UAD 3.6 standards.
Conclusion
CSV files may seem simple, but they are acornerstone of modern appraisal practice. They allow appraisers to efficiently organize MLS data, calculate critical market metrics, support adjustments with paired sales, and provide visual evidence that enhances credibility. When combined with tools likeAivre Analytics, CSVs become a powerful ally in producingaccurate, defensible, and standardized appraisal reports.
As the industry moves toward UAD 3.6, embracing CSV-based analysis is no longer optional — it’sessential for delivering the level of clarity, efficiency, and market insight today’s lenders and regulators expect.
Experience the future of appraisal here.
—Jake Lew
Co-Founder & CEO