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06/16/11 Categories: News
USPAP 2011-12: APPRAISAL DEVELOPMENT – SCOPE OF WORK ISSUES
Use of Distress Sales in Real Property Market Value Appraisals
Question:
A client has asked me to disregard any foreclosure, real estate owned (REO), or short sales when performing market value appraisal assignments. Is this an acceptable assignment condition?
Response:
No. USPAP does not specifically address which sales should or should not be considered in an appraisal assignment. However, in real property appraisal assignments, Standards Rule 1-4(a) requires: When a sales comparison approach is necessary for credible results, an appraiser must analyze such comparable sales data as are available to indicate a value conclusion. (emphasis added)
So, the appraiser must determine what data is relevant. There are many appraisal assignments where, in order to achieve credible results, it is necessary to use “distress” (e.g., REO or Short Sales) properties as comparable sales. However, foreclosure sales, defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as “the sale of mortgaged property, authorized by a court decree or a power-of-sale clause, to satisfy the debt” are seldom based on market expectations. When there is a glut of distress sales in the marketplace, and those properties are truly comparable to the subject, it would be misleading not to use them as part (or in some cases all) of the basis for a value conclusion. A client-imposed requirement to disregard data that may be relevant and necessary for credible assignment results would be an unacceptable assignment condition. (emphasis added)
To download the entire PDF, click here: USPAP Q & A
Use of Distress Sales in Real Property Market Value Appraisals
Question:
A client has asked me to disregard any foreclosure, real estate owned (REO), or short sales when performing market value appraisal assignments. Is this an acceptable assignment condition?
Response:
No. USPAP does not specifically address which sales should or should not be considered in an appraisal assignment. However, in real property appraisal assignments, Standards Rule 1-4(a) requires: When a sales comparison approach is necessary for credible results, an appraiser must analyze such comparable sales data as are available to indicate a value conclusion. (emphasis added)
So, the appraiser must determine what data is relevant. There are many appraisal assignments where, in order to achieve credible results, it is necessary to use “distress” (e.g., REO or Short Sales) properties as comparable sales. However, foreclosure sales, defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as “the sale of mortgaged property, authorized by a court decree or a power-of-sale clause, to satisfy the debt” are seldom based on market expectations. When there is a glut of distress sales in the marketplace, and those properties are truly comparable to the subject, it would be misleading not to use them as part (or in some cases all) of the basis for a value conclusion. A client-imposed requirement to disregard data that may be relevant and necessary for credible assignment results would be an unacceptable assignment condition. (emphasis added)
To download the entire PDF, click here: USPAP Q & A