Privacy Policy

Last Updated: August 1, 2026

Kathy Dotson Appraisal (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website located at www.kathydotson-appraisal.com (the “Site”) or use our real estate appraisal services in Aptos, California, and surrounding areas.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you request an appraisal quote, fill out a contact form, or communicate with us. This information may include:

Contact Data: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
Property Data: Physical addresses, parcel numbers, and characteristics of properties you ask us to appraise.
Transaction Data: Information necessary to process payments or fulfill your service requests.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following business purposes:

To provide independent real estate appraisal services.
To respond to your inquiries, schedule appointments, and provide price quotes.
To process payments for services rendered.
To comply with legal and professional obligations, including the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) record-keeping rules.
To maintain, secure, and improve our Site.

3. Sharing and Disclosing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may disclose your information only under the following limited circumstances:

With Your Consent: When you authorize us to share information with a specific lender, AMC (Appraisal Management Company), or real estate professional.
Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website, managing our business operations, or processing payments (subject to strict confidentiality agreements).
Legal Requirements: When required by federal or California law, court orders, or regulations governing the appraisal profession.

4. California Privacy Rights

As a California-based business, we take steps to ensure clarity regarding how data is handled.

Do Not Track: Our website currently does not respond to “Do Not Track” signals.
Minors: Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.

5. Data Security

We implement commercially reasonable technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

6. Retention of Data

We retain personal information and appraisal workfiles for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as strictly mandated by USPAP record-keeping requirements (generally a minimum of five years after preparation, or at least two years after final disposition of any judicial proceeding in which the appraiser provided testimony).

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us at:

Kathy Dotson Appraisal
Aptos, California
831-818-0631
info@kathydotson-appraisal.com