Maybe a drive-by done by a local realtor.

^Probably not done by a Realtor and probably not by an appraiser either. There are now data collectors for this.

Sounds like they are using a Bifurcated Appraisal (brief partial explanation below from Working RE). This particular approach to appraising has a lot of controversy right now. It is supposed to be quicker and less expensive for the consumer, but that hasn't been shown yet. See explanation below.

Fannie Mae has been extensively testing a new bifurcated valuation approach that breaks the appraisal process in two: data collection and then an analysis, if required.

Fannie has spent the first half of 2019 detailing its plans to roll out the 1004P, a new desktop appraisal that will be based on a Property Data Collection report that is prepared by a third party inspector; this is part one. Fannie has indicated that it is currently testing appraisers, appraiser trainees, insurance inspectors, real estate agents, property preservation service professionals, and smart home service professionals as potential Property Data Collectors to determine “which labor force can best collect data,” including a “robust and accurate set of data elements, photos, and floor plan.”

The more impactful revelation is that Fannie aims to replace the appraisal requirement completely where it can. In these scenarios, a property data collector, not necessarily a licensed appraiser, will inspect a home and report back on the condition of the property. Then, based on that property inspection report, a desktop appraisal may be ordered or the appraisal requirement might be waived altogether.

Fannie is calling its solution Value Verify, with the goal to separate the property data collection (PDC) from the appraisal process. Under Fannie Mae’s proposed plan, after a property data collector submits a report on the property’s characteristics and condition, Fannie Mae will decide if it wants to (A) accept the loan without any appraisal whatsoever, (B) require a desktop (hybrid) appraisal that uses the property inspection from the property data collector, or (C) seek out more information and perhaps order a full appraisal.

http://www.workingre.com/appraisers-bifurcated-appraising/

They are aggregating data on every house in the country. The theory is when they have enough data, they won't need appraisers. They will simply do a computer sort. It won't work for a whole bunch of reasons that I won't go into, but that won't stop someone with big data trying.

Among Right of Way Appraisers they have been using computer generated appraisals since before 2003 when my husband retired. He was not in the segment that used them but I attended several dinners, means more than one year, where the pros and cons were discussed.