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A subject property has a 3-car attached garage. The appraiser locates two valid paired sales: Sale 1 (with 3-car garage) sold for $512,000; Sale 2 (with 2-car garage) sold for $497,600. Both properties are otherwise identical — same age, quality, GLA, lot size, and neighborhood — and sold 5 days apart in a balanced market. The appraiser also confirms via public records and listing photos that no other functional or physical differences exist. What is the indicated contributory value of the *third* garage stall?

Correct Answer

B) $14,400

The price difference is $512,000 − $497,600 = $14,400. Because the only difference is the third stall (both have attached garages; one has 2 stalls, the other 3), the paired data indicates the contributory value of the incremental stall is $14,400. This reflects the marginal contribution — not the average per stall — and aligns with USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) requiring adjustments based on market evidence of what buyers pay for specific, isolated differences.

Answer Options
A
$7,200
B
$14,400
C
$21,600
D
$28,800

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The price difference is $512,000 − $497,600 = $14,400. Because the only difference is the third stall (both have attached garages; one has 2 stalls, the other 3), the paired data indicates the contributory value of the incremental stall is $14,400. This reflects the marginal contribution — not the average per stall — and aligns with USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) requiring adjustments based on market evidence of what buyers pay for specific, isolated differences.

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