To whom can an appraiser confidentially disclose a property's value estimate?

The correct answer is that an appraiser can confidentially disclose a property's value estimate to the client. This is grounded in the fundamental principles of confidentiality and professional ethics in the appraisal profession.

The appraiser-client relationship is defined by confidentiality; the appraiser has a duty to protect the information related to the appraisal assignment and ensure that it is communicated only to the client and those authorized by the client. This means that any valuation findings, insights, or assessments are to be shared explicitly with the client who commissioned the appraisal, thereby allowing for trust and honesty in the appraisal process.

In contrast, sharing this information with the general public, government agencies, or peers in the industry without explicit consent from the client would violate the principles of confidentiality. Public disclosure could lead to misuse or misunderstanding of the appraisal, while sharing with peers typically requires a clear purpose and client consent to maintain the integrity and confidentiality standards of the profession.