In a sales comparison analysis, an appraiser applies a +$24,500 adjustment for a swimming pool to Comparable A, then later applies a −$18,200 adjustment for inferior HVAC to the same comparable. The appraiser reports a net adjustment of +$6,300. During peer review, it is noted that the pool adjustment was derived from a single sale pair involving a luxury estate, while the HVAC adjustment came from a cluster of mid-range transactions. What is the primary analytical deficiency?
Correct Answer
A) Failure to weight adjustments by reliability, violating the reconciliation requirement of SR 1-5.
Standards Rule 1-5 requires the appraiser to reconcile the value indications and explain the weighting given to each. When adjustments rely on data of disparate reliability (e.g., one pair vs. multiple sales), the appraiser must acknowledge and account for that disparity in reconciliation—not merely sum adjustments arithmetically. Reporting a simple net of +$6,300 obscures the weaker support for the pool adjustment and fails to demonstrate reasoned reconciliation per SR 1-5. Option A correctly identifies the deficiency. Option B is incorrect: these *are* net (individual) adjustments. Option C is irrelevant—the question involves only dollar adjustments. Option D cites a nonexistent '±5%' threshold; USPAP sets no numeric limits on adjustment magnitude.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Standards Rule 1-5 requires the appraiser to reconcile the value indications and explain the weighting given to each. When adjustments rely on data of disparate reliability (e.g., one pair vs. multiple sales), the appraiser must acknowledge and account for that disparity in reconciliation—not merely sum adjustments arithmetically. Reporting a simple net of +$6,300 obscures the weaker support for the pool adjustment and fails to demonstrate reasoned reconciliation per SR 1-5. Option A correctly identifies the deficiency. Option B is incorrect: these *are* net (individual) adjustments. Option C is irrelevant—the question involves only dollar adjustments. Option D cites a nonexistent '±5%' threshold; USPAP sets no numeric limits on adjustment magnitude.
More sales-comparison-approach Questions
Excess land differs from surplus land in that excess land:
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?
The most appropriate unit of comparison is determined by:
An appraiser analyzes three paired sales to isolate the effect of a fireplace. In Pair 1, the property with a fireplace sold for $12,000 more; in Pair 2, $10,500 more; and in Pair 3, $13,500 more. All pairs are highly similar and recent. The appraiser selects $12,000 as the final adjustment. Which principle best supports this selection?
A paired sales analysis yields an adjustment of −$15,000 for a property located on a busy arterial street. Later, the appraiser discovers that all three paired properties with arterial exposure also had 20% smaller lots than their non-arterial counterparts — a difference not initially controlled for. What is the most appropriate action per USPAP?
An appraiser identifies two comparable sales that are identical in all respects except that Sale #1 has a finished basement (1,200 sq ft) and sold for $432,000, while Sale #2 has an unfinished basement of the same size and sold for $408,000. Both sales occurred within three weeks of each other in a stable market. The appraiser intends to apply a per-square-foot adjustment for basement finish to the subject property, which has a 1,000 sq ft finished basement. What is the appropriate paired-sales-derived adjustment amount per square foot for a finished basement?
Three sales support $520,000; the borrower's purchase contract is $505,000. May the appraisal conclude above the contract price?
An appraiser develops a $3,200 adjustment for a fireplace based on a single paired sale. The subject has a fireplace; Comparable A does not. The appraiser applies +$3,200 to Comparable A. Later, the appraiser identifies a second pair showing a $4,600 fireplace contribution. The appraiser replaces the original adjustment with $3,900 — the simple average — and applies it to Comparable A. What is the appropriate USPAP-compliant action regarding the adjustment amount?
A comparable sold for $300,000 with the seller carrying a loan 2 points below market, a benefit worth $8,000. What is its cash-equivalent price?
Three comparables adjust to $412,000 (gross adj. 5%), $405,000 (gross adj. 22%), and $410,000 (gross adj. 8%). What is the best-supported value conclusion?
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Previous Question
A comparable requires a +$14,000 GLA adjustment and a −$9,000 condition adjustment. Its net adjustment is:
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Two otherwise identical properties sold one week apart. Property X has a 20-year-old roof with 5 years of remaining economic life; Property Y has a new roof. Property X sold for $365,000; Property Y sold for $383,000. Assuming straight-line physical depreciation and no functional or external obsolescence affecting the roof, what is the indicated contributory value of a new roof?
