An appraiser is estimating external obsolescence for a retail strip center located adjacent to a newly rezoned heavy industrial corridor. Market evidence shows that comparable centers without such adjacency rent for $18.50/sf/year, while the subject rents for $14.20/sf/year. The subject’s gross leasable area is 25,000 sf, and its effective gross income multiplier (EGIM) is 7.5. The appraiser has determined that the land-to-improvements ratio is 30% land / 70% improvements. How much of the estimated external obsolescence is allocated to the improvements?
Correct Answer
A) $568,125
Annual rent loss = $3.03/sf × 25,000 sf = $75,750. Capitalized using EGIM of 7.5: $75,750 × 7.5 = $568,125. Per USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) and the Cost Approach framework, external obsolescence is assigned solely to the improvements — not land — because it results from off-site conditions that impair the utility or marketability of the improvements. Land value is not diminished by external obsolescence; therefore, the full $568,125 is allocated to the improvements. The land-to-improvements ratio is irrelevant for this allocation.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Annual rent loss = $3.03/sf × 25,000 sf = $75,750. Capitalized using EGIM of 7.5: $75,750 × 7.5 = $568,125. Per USPAP Standards Rule 1-4(b) and the Cost Approach framework, external obsolescence is assigned solely to the improvements — not land — because it results from off-site conditions that impair the utility or marketability of the improvements. Land value is not diminished by external obsolescence; therefore, the full $568,125 is allocated to the improvements. The land-to-improvements ratio is irrelevant for this allocation.
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