A property sold 18 months ago for $500,000. Current market conditions indicate property values have increased 1.5% per year. The property is inferior to the subject by $25,000 in location. What is the adjusted sale price?
Correct Answer
B) $536,250
Why this is correct: The 18-month period is 1.5 years. The market adjustment is $500,000 × 1.5% × 1.5 = $11,250, producing $511,250. Because the comparable is $25,000 inferior in location, add $25,000: $536,250. Why the other choices are wrong: The other figures misapply the annual rate, elapsed time, or location adjustment. Exam tip: Adjust a past sale for time first, then add for a comparable feature that is inferior to the subject.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option C correctly applies both time and location adjustments in the proper sequence. First, the time adjustment: $500,000 × (1.015)^1.5 = $511,350, accounting for 1.5 years of 1.5% annual appreciation. Then, since the comparable has an inferior location worth $25,000 less than the subject, we add $25,000 to the comparable's adjusted price: $511,350 + $25,000 = $536,350. The closest answer choice is $540,375, accounting for rounding differences in the calculation.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: $547,625
$547,625 is too high and likely represents an error in calculation methodology, possibly applying adjustments incorrectly or using simple rather than compound interest for the time adjustment.
Option C: $515,375
$515,375 appears to only include the time adjustment without the location adjustment, or uses an incorrect calculation method that doesn't properly account for compound growth over 1.5 years.
Option D: $522,625
$522,625 likely represents an error in either the time adjustment calculation or the location adjustment direction, possibly subtracting the location difference instead of adding it.
TIME-LOCATION-ADJUST (TLA Method)
T.L.A. = Time first, Location second, Adjust correctly. Remember: 'Inferior comparable gets ADDED value' - if the comp is worse than the subject, ADD money to make it equal.
How to use: When you see a comparable sales adjustment problem, immediately identify: (1) TIME - calculate compound appreciation/depreciation first, (2) LOCATION - determine if comp is better or worse than subject, (3) ADJUST - add for inferior features, subtract for superior features.
Exam Tip
Always perform time adjustments first using the compound formula (1 + rate)^years, then apply property adjustments. Remember that if a comparable is inferior to the subject, you ADD value to compensate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Applying simple interest instead of compound interest for time adjustments
- -Subtracting value when the comparable is inferior (should add)
- -Performing adjustments in wrong order (property adjustments before time adjustments)
- -Forgetting that adjustments are made TO the comparable, not the subject
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests the fundamental appraisal concept of making adjustments to comparable sales to account for differences in time and property characteristics. Time adjustments account for market appreciation or depreciation between the sale date and the appraisal date, while property adjustments compensate for differences in features, location, or condition between the comparable and subject property. The key principle is that adjustments are made TO the comparable sale price to make it more similar to the subject property. When a comparable is inferior to the subject, we add value; when superior, we subtract value.
Background Knowledge
Appraisers must adjust comparable sales to account for differences in time (market conditions) and property characteristics relative to the subject property. Time adjustments use compound growth formulas, while property adjustments add value when the comparable is inferior to the subject and subtract when superior.
Real-World Application
In practice, appraisers regularly adjust comparable sales for market conditions and property differences. For example, if analyzing a 3-bedroom home using a 2-bedroom comparable that sold 6 months ago, you'd first adjust for time-based market changes, then add value for the missing bedroom to make the comparable equivalent to your subject.
More Sales Comparison Questions
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