Subject area is 2,000 sf and sale areas are 1,850 sf,1,920 sf and 2,150 sf. On size alone, how many sales are below and above the subject? This does not establish their overall comparability.
Correct Answer
D) Two below and one above.
1850<2000;1920<2000;2150>2000; two below and one above. Common errors: treating the 2,150 sf sale as below the subject gives All three below.; reversing the comparison gives All three above.; assuming size can be compared only when areas are identical gives An exact match is needed.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option D is correct because 1,850 sf and 1,920 sf are both below the 2,000 sf subject, and 2,150 sf is above it. That gives two below and one above. The set brackets the subject on size, though overall comparability needs separate analysis.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: All three below.
Option A, all three below, comes from treating the 2,150 sf sale as below the subject. Since 2,150 sf is greater than 2,000 sf, that sale is above, leaving two below and one above.
Option B: All three above.
Option B, all three above, comes from reversing the comparison. The 1,850 sf and 1,920 sf sales are smaller than the 2,000 sf subject, so only one sale is above.
Option C: An exact match is needed
Option C, an exact match is needed, assumes size can be compared only when areas are identical. Sales of different sizes can be compared and adjusted, and comparing each area with 2,000 sf answers the question.
Line them up
Place the subject's size on a number line and count the sales on each side.
How to use: Use this to count sales below and above the subject on any characteristic.
Exam Tip
Compare each figure with the subject one at a time before counting; do not assume an exact match is needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Misreading a larger sale as smaller than the subject
- -Reversing the direction of the comparison
- -Believing comparables must match the subject's size exactly
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests a simple size comparison of comparables against the subject. Compare each sale area with 2,000 sf and count how many fall below and above. The result is a numerical bracketing check, not a judgment on overall comparability.
Background Knowledge
Comparing each sale's size with the subject's is a first step in judging how much size adjustment may be needed. Bracketing the subject with smaller and larger sales helps show the value indication is not skewed to one side. Units of comparison such as price per square foot allow sales of different sizes to be compared.
Real-World Application
For a 2,000 sf subject, an appraiser selects sales of 1,850, 1,920 and 2,150 sf. With two smaller and one larger sale, the appraiser notes the size bracket and then supports the size adjustment rate with market data.
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