{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/mai-appraisal","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/mai-appraisal","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"mai-appraisal","term":"MAI Appraisal","group":"Reading the business","definition":"An appraisal of commercial real estate performed by a Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI), indicating a higher standard of expertise. It provides a reliable valuation for property collateral.","what_it_means":"If your deal involves owner-occupied commercial real estate as collateral, the SBA lender will require an MAI appraisal. This ensures a credible, independent valuation of the property's fair market value. Review this appraisal closely during due diligence to confirm the real estate's value and condition, as it directly impacts your collateral position.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/mai-appraisal","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"appraisal","term":"Appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/appraisal"},{"slug":"owner-occupied-commercial-real-estate","term":"Owner-occupied commercial real estate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/owner-occupied-commercial-real-estate"},{"slug":"fair-market-value","term":"Fair market value","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fair-market-value"},{"slug":"collateral","term":"Collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Is an independent appraisal always required when an acquisition includes significant goodwill?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-an-independent-appraisal-always-required-when-an-acquisition-includes-significant-goodw"},{"question":"When is an independent appraisal required for non-real estate business assets being acquired?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-an-independent-appraisal-required-for-non-real-estate-business-assets-being-acquir"},{"question":"Does the SBA require an independent business appraisal for a business acquisition costing $400,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-require-an-independent-business-appraisal-for-a-business-acquisition-costing-"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan cover the cost of a business valuation or appraisal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-cover-the-cost-of-a-business-valuation-or-appraisal"},{"question":"When is a business appraisal required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-business-appraisal-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-exceeding-500-"},{"question":"When is a separate goodwill appraisal necessary for a business acquisition loan exceeding $1,000,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-a-separate-goodwill-appraisal-necessary-for-a-business-acquisition-loan-exceeding-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — MAI Appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/mai-appraisal","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}