On a URAR form, a comparable sale shows a $15,000 positive adjustment for a swimming pool and a $8,000 negative adjustment for condition. What is the net adjustment for this comparable?
Correct Answer
D) $7,000 positive
Why this is correct: Net adjustment is calculated by algebraically summing all individual adjustments. A positive adjustment (+$15,000) adds value to the comparable relative to the subject. A negative adjustment (-$8,000) subtracts value. Adding them: +$15,000 + (-$8,000) = +$7,000. A net positive adjustment means the comparable is superior to the subject. Why the other choices are wrong: "$7,000 negative" is incorrect; it reverses the sign of the net result. "$15,000 positive" is incorrect; it ignores the negative adjustment. "$23,000 total adjustment" is incorrect; it adds the absolute values (15,000 + 8,000) instead of summing them algebraically. Exam tip: For net adjustment, remember to combine positive and negative adjustments using their signs (+ and -).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option A is correct because net adjustment is calculated by algebraically adding all individual adjustments: +$15,000 (swimming pool) + (-$8,000) (condition) = +$7,000. The positive result indicates that after all adjustments, the comparable property is considered inferior to the subject property by $7,000. This means the comparable's sale price would need to be increased by $7,000 to make it equivalent to the subject property. The term 'net' specifically refers to the final result after combining all positive and negative adjustments.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
PAIN Method
PAIN = Positive Add, Inferior; Negative = superior. Remember: Positive adjustments mean the comparable is inferior and needs money added to match the subject. Then use simple algebra: add positive numbers, subtract negative numbers (or add negative numbers algebraically).
How to use: When you see adjustment calculations, identify each adjustment as positive or negative, then use basic algebra to combine them. Remember PAIN to keep track of what positive and negative adjustments mean in terms of property comparison.
Exam Tip
Always double-check your arithmetic when calculating net adjustments, and remember that the sign (positive or negative) of the final answer tells you whether the comparable is inferior (+) or superior (-) to the subject property overall.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Adding absolute values instead of using algebraic addition (ignoring positive/negative signs)
- -Confusing which direction adjustments should go (positive vs negative)
- -Reporting only one adjustment instead of the net result of all adjustments
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests the fundamental concept of net adjustments in the sales comparison approach on the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). Net adjustments represent the cumulative effect of all positive and negative adjustments made to a comparable property to make it more similar to the subject property. Understanding how to calculate net adjustments is crucial because it determines the adjusted sale price of the comparable and indicates whether the comparable is superior or inferior to the subject property. The calculation involves algebraic addition of all adjustments, where positive adjustments indicate the comparable is inferior to the subject in that feature, and negative adjustments indicate the comparable is superior to the subject in that feature.
Background Knowledge
In the sales comparison approach, appraisers make adjustments to comparable sales to account for differences between the comparable and subject property. Positive adjustments are made when the comparable is inferior to the subject in a particular feature, while negative adjustments are made when the comparable is superior to the subject. The net adjustment is the algebraic sum of all individual adjustments and determines the final adjusted sale price of the comparable.
Real-World Application
In practice, appraisers use net adjustments to determine if they're using appropriate comparables - generally, net adjustments should not exceed 15% of the comparable's sale price, and gross adjustments should not exceed 25%. Large net adjustments may indicate the comparable is not truly similar to the subject property.
More Sales Comparison Questions
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