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A paired sales analysis reveals that homes with stainless-steel appliances sell for $2,100 more than identical homes with standard appliances — but only when the homes are priced below $350,000. In the subject’s neighborhood, median sale price is $410,000. What is the appraiser’s obligation regarding the $2,100 appliance adjustment?

Correct Answer

C) Reject it as unsupported for the subject’s market segment and seek paired data from the $400k+ tier.

USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) mandates that adjustments be supported by relevant market data. Market segmentation matters: buyer preferences and contributory value can differ significantly across price tiers. An adjustment derived from sub-$350k sales lacks credibility for a $410k subject unless validated in that tier. The appraiser must either obtain appropriate paired data or acknowledge the lack of support — not extrapolate or assume uniformity. Option D is incorrect because using an unsupported adjustment violates Standards Rule 2-1(a), which requires the report to contain no misleading information.

Answer Options
A
Apply it anyway, because paired sales always trump price-tier considerations.
B
Reduce it proportionally using the ratio of $350,000 to $410,000.
C
Reject it as unsupported for the subject’s market segment and seek paired data from the $400k+ tier.
D
Apply it but disclose the price-tier limitation in the report’s extraordinary assumptions.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) mandates that adjustments be supported by relevant market data. Market segmentation matters: buyer preferences and contributory value can differ significantly across price tiers. An adjustment derived from sub-$350k sales lacks credibility for a $410k subject unless validated in that tier. The appraiser must either obtain appropriate paired data or acknowledge the lack of support — not extrapolate or assume uniformity. Option D is incorrect because using an unsupported adjustment violates Standards Rule 2-1(a), which requires the report to contain no misleading information.

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