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CHAPTER 11
IMPROVEMENT ANALYSIS
ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǰȱ¢ǰȱȱȬ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȇȱǯȱ
ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱDZ
ŗǯȱ ¢ȱ
Řǯȱ ȱ
řǯȱ ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢£ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¡ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱęȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ǰȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱǰȱȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Dzȱ ȱ ȱ ¢£ȱ
ȱ ȱ ěȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǰȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱĜ¢ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ Ĝȱ Ĵǰȱ
ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ĚȬ
ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱ¢ǰȱǰȱ¢ǰȱǰȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ǰȱ ȱ
ȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ
ȱȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱǯȱȱ
ȱǰȱȱȱȱ¢£ȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱĚȱȱȬ
¢ȇȱȱǯȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱ DZ
ŗǯȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱ
Řǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ
řǯȱ ȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ DZ
y ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ¢
yȱ ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯ
PROPERTY INSPECTION
ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ
¢ȱȱȱ£ȱȱ ȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ęȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱǰȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱĚȬ
ȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
property inspection ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
The act or process of inspecting firsthand ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
the typical improvements and building ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
components of the real estate involved ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
in an appraisal assignment, either the ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
subject property or comparable properties. ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
Property inspection is the most visible step ȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
in improvement analysis.
ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱǰȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȬȬȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȬȬȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Dzȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ£ȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱǰȱȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱĚ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯŗȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǰȱȱ
ȱ¢ȱęȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȦ ȱȱȱǯ
BUILDING DESCRIPTION
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȬ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡¢ȱ ¡ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
building description
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
The analysis of a building's design, layout,
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ę¡ǯȱ
construction details, size, condition, and current
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
use that provides the basis for comparing
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȇȱ the subject property's improvements and the
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ improvements typically accepted in the subject
¢¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȇȱ property's market.
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǯ
ȱ¢£ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
1
Ethics Rule 4.2.7 of CUSPAP forbids an appraiser from undertaking an appraisal assignments if his or her inspection
skills are inadequate. CUSPAP 12.29 provides that an appraiser's inspection should, at the minimum, be thorough
enough to (a) adequately describe the real estate the appraisal report, (b) develop an opinion of highest and best
use when such an opinion is necessary and appropriate, and (c) make meaningful comparisons in the valuation of
the property.
ȱ¢ǯŘȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱDZ
yȱ ȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱĚȱę¢
yȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱěȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
2
For an up-to-date and easy-to-read guide to construction materials and techniques, see Francis D.K. Ching and
Cassandra Adams, Building Construction Illustrated, 3rd ed. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000).
ȱȇȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱ
ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯȱȱȱęȱȱǰȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱDZȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ǯ
Use Classification
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯȱ¢ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱęȱ
ȱDZ
ŗǯȱ
Řǯȱ
řǯȱ
Śǯȱ
śǯȱ ȱ£ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱęȱǯ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¡ǰȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱǰȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¡ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ £ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱ¢ȱǯ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Dzȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯ
Size
ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱĜǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ£ȱ¢ȱ¢ǰȱȱȱ¢ȱ¢ǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱę¢ȱěȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ
¢ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ǰȱ
ȱǰȱȱȱȱȱ
Systems for measuring residential and non- ȱ ¢ȱȱ¢ǯȱ
residential properties vary. Gross building ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ
area is measured for all property types
ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ
other than one-unit residential. Gross living
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
area and gross leasable area are other
common measurements.
ȱ Dzȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȯȱ ȱ ȱ
DZȱȱŝŜśȬŘŖŖřǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱ
ǻ
Ǽȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱǻǼǯȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǻǼȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱȱŗŗǯŗȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǻǼȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ Ȭ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱ
¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱ
ȱȱȱĜȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Dzȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ ǯȱ Ĝȱ ȱ
Definition Total floor area of a building, excluding unenclosed areas, measured from the exterior
of the walls; includes both the superstructure floor area and the substructure or
basement area
Use Used by federal agencies to measure multi-family properties; also the standard of
measurement for industrial buildings
Definition Total floor area designed for the occupancy and exclusive use of tenants, including
basements and mezzanines; measured from the centre of joint partitioning to the outside
wall surfaces.
Use Commonly used to measure shopping centres.
Note that the acronym GLA can stand for two different area measurements. Residential appraisers use GLA for gross living area;
non-residential appraisers use it to refer to gross leasable area.
ȱ¢ȱȱȬȱȱȬȱĚȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱěȱ ¢ǯȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱ¢ǰȱȱȱȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱĚȬ¢ȬĚȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ęȱ £ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
Format
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ¡ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱŗŗǯŗȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ǰȱ A building description includes
a description of the exterior,
ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ
the interior, and the equipment
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
and mechanical systems.
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȇȱ
ȱȱ ǯ
A. Substructure
1. Footings 4. Painting, decorating, and finishing
2. Slabs a. Basements
3. Piles b. Floor coverings
4. Columns c. Walls, partitions, and ceilings
5. Piers d. Molding and baseboards
6. Beams e. Fireplaces
7. Foundation Walls 5. Protection against decay and insect damage
6. Miscellaneous and special features
B. Exterior Description
1. Framing D. Equipment and mechanical systems
2. Insulation 1. Plumbing system
3. Ventilation a. Piping
4. Exterior Walls b. Fixtures
5. Exterior Doors c. Hot water system
6. Windows, storm windows and screens 2. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
7. Facade systems
8. Roof and drain system a. Heating systems
9. Chimneys, stacks, and vents (1) Warm or hot air
10. Special features (2) Hot water
(3) Steam
C. Interior description (4) Electric
1. Interior walls, partitions, and doors b. Air-conditioning and ventilation systems
2. Division of space 3. Electrical systems
a. Storage areas 4. Miscellaneous equipment
b. Stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, a. Fire protection
and hoists b. Elevators, escalators, and speed ramps
3. Interior supports c. Signals, alarms, and call systems
a. Beams, columns, and trusses d. Loading facilities
b. Flooring system (subflooring) e. Attached equipment (process-related)
c. Ceilings
Substructure: A building's entire foundational structure, which is below grade and provides a support
base or footings on which the superstructure rests
Footings
Type Perimetric base
Materials Concrete
Characteristics/Use Most common type of footing; a concrete base rests on undisturbed
earth below the frost line and distributes the load of the walls over
the subgrade
Type Plain footing
Materials Concrete
Characteristics/Use Unreinforced and designed to carry light loads
Type Column
Materials Concrete
Characteristics/Use Long, relatively slender pillars
Foundations
Type Slab-on-ground
Materials Poured concrete
Characteristics/Use Concrete or cinder block walls on concrete footings
Cut stone or stone and brick (in older buildings)
Most common type of foundation
Materials Concrete
Steel
Characteristics/Use Foundation supports that can be used separately or in combination
Substructure
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱǰȱǰȱǰȱ
ǰȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǻȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ǽǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱĴȱ
ȱ ȱǯ
Superstructure
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
Framing
ȱȱȱȱȱȬȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱ
ȱ ȱȱĴǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ǯȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱ¡ȱ ȱ
ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Type Solid masonry exterior walls with steel beam or reinforced concrete interior
framing (newer buildings) or interior framing of wood beams and posts
(older buildings)
¢ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ǯȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ Ȭǰȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
ȱęȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ¡ȱȱĜȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱęȱǯ
Insulation
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ £ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ęǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǻǼȱȱȱĴȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǻȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȬȱȱȱȱǼǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱĴȱȱǯȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¡ǰȱ
ȬȱȱȬȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱŗřȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȬǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȬǰȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ
ŘŚȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯ
Insulation
Type Loose-fill
Materials Mineral wool (rock, slag, or glass wool) or cellulosic fibre (recycled newsprint,
wood chips, or other organic fibres)
Characteristics/Use Poured or blown by a machine into a building's structural cavities
Type Flexible
Characteristics/Use Generally used where it is not practical to install loose-fill insulation or where
the foil or kraft paper facing is needed as a vapour barrier
Type Rigid
Characteristics/Use Structural wall insulation
Fibreboard
Structural deck insulation
Rigid board insulation
Type Reflective
Materials Foil
Characteristics/Use Used to reflect heat transferred by radiation
Type Foamed-in-place
Materials Polyurethane
ASBESTOS IN BUILDINGS
Asbestos is a non-flammable, natural mineral material that separates into fibres. Asbestos-containing
materials (ACMs) were widely used in structures built between 1945 and 1980 as thermal and acoustical
insulation or for fireproofing and soundproofing. Other ACMs were used in siding and roofing shingles.
Asbestos has also been found in many products around the house: it has been used in clapboard;
shingles and felt for roofing; exterior siding; pipe and boiler covering; compounds and cement, such as
caulk, putty, roof patching, furnace cement, and driveway coating; wallboard; textured and latex paints;
acoustical ceiling tiles and plaster; vinyl floor tiles; appliance wiring; hair dryers; irons and ironing board
pads; flame-resistant aprons and electric blankets; and clay pottery. Loose-fill vermiculite insulation may
contain traces of "amphibole" asbestos.
Asbestos fibres pose a threat to human health when they are distributed in the air. The potential of any
ACM to release fibres depends on its degree of friability, i.e., how easily it is crumbled or pulverized.
Dry, sprayed-on thermal insulation over structural steel is highly friable. Densely packed, nonfibrous
ACMs such as vinyl asbestos floor covering and pipe insulation are not considered friable under normal
conditions. Nevertheless, these materials will become friable if they are broken, sawed, or drilled.
Encapsulation or enclosure of asbestos is effective as a short-term solution. The provincial and territorial
occupational health and safety standards exist for the removal of asbestos when a building is being
demolished or renovated.
Health Canada has encouraged provincial occupational health authorities to adopt stringent workplace
exposure limits for asbestos. The sale of pure asbestos and certain high risk consumer products that
are composed of or contain asbestos fibres is strictly regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. In
addition, the emissions of asbestos into the environment from mining and milling operations are subject
to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
The use of asbestos is not illegal. While alternative products are being developed to replace asbestos,
products sold today containing asbestos are regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. Asbestos
can be used safely, and public concern has led to improved product design and manufacture. Asbestos
is now better encapsulated and sealed to reduce the escape of fibres. Asbestos is valuable in many
applications because it has been difficult to find comparable substitute materials. For example, it is still
an important component of brake lining and clutch facings.
One market's reaction to the effect asbestos has on the value of income-producing properties may differ
from the reaction of other markets. There is little evidence, however, that investors are willing to sell
properties at sharp discounts, or any at all, because of the problem.
For additional discussion of the influence of asbestos on real estate value, see Jeffrey D. Fisher, George
H. Tse, and K.S. Maurice, "Effects of Asbestos on Commercial Real Estate: A Survey of MAI Appraisers",
The Appraisal Journal (October 1993): 587–599; Robert Simons, "How Clean is Clean?" The Appraisal
Journal (July 1994): 424–438; and Daniel F. Ryan, "A Lender's View of Hazardous Substances. . . And
Appraiser Responsibility", Real Estate Appraiser & Analyst (Fall 1989): 10–12.
Ventilation
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȬěȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱǰȱ
ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱǯ
Exterior Walls
Type Load-bearing
Materials Solid masonry (cement block, brick, or a combination)
Poured concrete
Pre-stressed concrete
Steel beams covered with siding material
Wood framing
Characteristics/Use May be strengthened with masonry pilasters attached to the exterior of the wall
Type Nonload-bearing
Materials Porcelain enamel
Steel
Aluminum
Pre-cast aggregate concrete
Glass
Corrugated iron, tilt-up precast concrete asbestos board, fibreglass and metal
sandwich panels for industrial buildings
Exterior Doors
Type Standard
Materials Wood
Metal
Glass
Characteristics/Use Exterior doors are usually solid; hollow exterior doors are a sign of poor-
quality construction
Facade
¢ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ Ĝȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ǰȱȱěȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱěȱȱ¢ȇȱǯ
Windows
Types Single and double-hung
Casement
Horizontal sliding
Clerestory
Fixed
Awning
Centre pivot
Jalousie
Materials Glass with wood framing (usually for houses) or aluminum or steel framing
(often in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings)
Characteristics/Use Windows should be tightly sealed, with caulking at the joints and between the
wall and the window. The use of insulated glass, multiple glazing, and storm
sashes helps keep cold air out and heat in.
In most parts of the country, screens are needed for all windows that open. Most
screens have aluminum frames, and in residences, screens are often combined
with storm windows.
Facade
Types Multi-family
Retail
Industrial, office, etc.
Roof
Types Flat
Lean-to (saltbox)
Gable
Gambrel
Hip
Mansard
Monitor
Sawtooth
Materials Wood trusses, joists or horizontal beams, joists and rafters, or posts and beams
in residential construction
Steel or wood trusses, glued wood beams, or steel or concrete frame with wood
joists or purlins or with steel bar joists in commercial and industrial construction
Characteristics/Use Flat roofs are used extensively in industrial and commercial buildings but are
less common in residences. Lean-to roofs, often called shed roofs, are used
on saltbox houses, and gambrel roofs are popular for barns and Cape Ann
and Dutch Colonial houses. Monitor and sawtooth roofs are sometimes used in
industrial construction.
Drain System
Characteristics/Use Channel water from roofs to prevent damage and protect the appearance of
walls when roof overhangs are not provided
Characteristics/Use Catch rainwater at the edge of the roof and carry it to downspouts or leaders
Characteristics/Use Vertical pipes that carry the water to the ground or into sewers, dry wells, drain
tiles, or splash pans
Components Roof drains (in large buildings)
Materials Galvanized steel
Aluminum
Copper
Roof Covering
Materials Asphalt shingles (prevalent in residential construction)
Wood, asbestos, fiberglass, or cement shingles or shakes
Metal
Clay tile
Slate
Built-up layers of felt or composition material covered with tar and then gravel
or another surfacing material (most common on flat roofs of commercial and
industrial buildings)
Single-membrane roof assembly
Characteristics/Use Joints in roofs are created where two different roof slopes meet or where
the roof meets adjoining walls or projections such as chimneys, pipes, and
ventilation ducts. All joints must be flashed. Flashing is usually accomplished
by nailing strips of galvanized metal, aluminum, or tin across or under the
point, applying a waterproofing compound or cement, and securing the roofing
material over the edges to hold it permanently in place.
Roof sheathing
Materials Plywood
Steel roof deck
Lightweight precast concrete slabs
Reinforced concrete slabs
Insulated sheathing in large sheets
Special Features
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱȱȱĴȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢
yȱ
yȱ ¡ȱ
yȱ ȱȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱ¢ȱ ȱȱ¡ȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱǰȱ¢ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯ
Interior Supports
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ ǰȱ
ȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ǰȱǰȱȱ
yȱ ȱĚȱ¢
yȱ
* John Elkington, Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business (Stony Creek, Conn.: New Society
Publishers, 1998).
Flooring System
Ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ Ěȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ęȱ Ěȱ ǯȱ ȱ
ěȱȱȱȱȱȱȱĚǯ
Ceilings
ȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱǯ
DIVISION OF SPACE
A building description provides a complete list of the number of rooms in the structure and their uses.
Room sizes may also be stated. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms in a residential property
usually influences the market for the property and its value. The number of units in an apartment building
and the types and sizes of the rooms within the units significantly influence the property's income-
producing potential. Similarly, the amount of office space in an industrial property and the partitioning of
office suites may affect property value.
In certain parts of the Canada, many types of buildings have basements. In these areas, buildings without
basements may have substantially less value than similar buildings with basements. If basements are
not common in the area, a basement may add little or no value to a building.
Storage Areas
Home owners often complain about a lack of adequate storage space, especially in kitchens. Ample
cabinets, closets, and other storage areas are important, particularly in homes without basements.
Storage is particularly important in multi-family residential buildings. The value of apartment and
condominium projects is often enhanced by the availability of storage space. Frequently, mini-storage
facilities are located near apartment complexes because apartment units often have inadequate storage
space. Storage problems can also exist in commercial and industrial buildings.
Interior Description
Walls
Type Residential buildings
Materials Wood studs covered with drywall materials, e.g., gypsum board, wood panels,
ceramic tile, plywood, hardboard
Plaster (less popular now)
Masonry (in masonry houses)
Partitions
ȱȱȱȱęȱȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱǰȱ¢ȱȱȱę¢ȱȱȱ
¢ȇȱǯ
Doors
Types Simple hollow-core doors in most residential construction
Solid-core doors in older buildings and office buildings
Complex, self-closing, fire-resistant doors in commercial and industrial buildings
Specialty, self-opening and self-closing doors in offices and commercial
buildings
Special-purpose doors, e.g., doors to bank vaults
Characteristics/Use Hanging a door is complicated and often done improperly. Most poorly hung
doors close improperly or fail to touch an edge of the frame when closed.
Interior Supports
Types Beams
Columns
Trusses
yȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯ
yȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
ȱȱȱȇȱȱȱǯ
yȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱǯ
ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȇȱ¢ȱȱȱǯȱȱǰȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ȱ
ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǰȱ ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱŗŖȱȱȱȱ¢ǯ
Components Carpeting
Characteristics Once considered a luxury in residences, offices, stores, and commercial
buildings, but today is widely used in all types of buildings
Types Partitions
Characteristics Can be wood or metal
yȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǯǯǰȱ
ǰȱǰȱȬǰȱȱ
yȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭǰȱ ǯǯǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ǰȱ ¢ǰȱȱǰȱ¢ȱȱǰȱȱ£ȱřȱ
ȱ ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ ȱȱǰȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȬȱȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱ ȱ£ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱęȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ
yȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǻǯǯǰȱ Ȭȱ
ǼȱȱȱȱǻǯǯǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȇȱǼ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱ¡
yȱ ȱȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱȱȽȱȱ ǰȱǰȱȱ
Plumbing System
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Equipment and mechanical
¢ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǻ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ systems provide for human
ȱ¡ȱȱȱǼȱȱę¡ȱȱęĴȱ comfort; industrial build-
ings also contain process-
ǻ ȱ ȱ Ǽǯȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
related equipment.
ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǯ
3
For discussion of the distinction between fixtures, personal property, and real estate, see Tables 1.1 and 1.2 in Chapter 1.
Plumbing System
Piping
Types Supply pipes
Waste pipes
Vent pipes
Materials Copper, cast iron, or plastic
Characteristics/Use Galvanized steel, lead, or brass pipes in older buildings may need to be replaced.
Bathroom Fixtures
Types Lavatories (or washbasins)
Bathtubs
Showers
Toilets (or water closets)
Bidets
Urinals
Materials Cast iron covered with acid-resistant vitreous enamel or porcelain; fiberglass or
other materials are also used in lower-quality fixtures
Piping
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȬ
ȱǰȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱ ȱǰȱȱ ȱ¢ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ
ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȬ¢ȱ
ȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
Heating Systems
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱǰȱ¡ǰȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȇȱȱ¢ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ¢ǯȱȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
¢ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ¢ǯȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ
ȱĜȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Heating Fuels: The type of fuel used in a building's heating system should be explained in the building
description. Depending on the area and the type of building, one type of fuel may be more desirable
than another. Nevertheless, many building heating systems do not use the most economical fuel. For any
specific use, different fuels have different advantages and disadvantages, which are subject to change.
Type Characteristics
Fuel oil In spite of its high cost, fuel oil is a popular energy source that is easy to
transport and store. On-site, 275-gallon tanks are used in millions of houses,
and tanks that hold thousands of gallons of fuel oil are buried on industrial and
commercial sites.
Natural gas Natural gas is a convenient type of fuel because it is continuously delivered by
pipelines; no storage tank is needed. In many parts of Canada, natural gas is
the most economical fuel. Liquid petroleum gas, such as butane and propane, is
used in many rural areas. It requires on-site storage tanks and is usually more
expensive, but in other respects it is similar to natural gas.
Electricity Like oil, gas, or coal, electricity can be used to produce heat in a furnace or to
heat water in a boiler. In most areas electrical heating costs are high, but good
insulation and control can eliminate waste.
Coal In the past, coal was the most popular fuel for heating; it is still used in electrical
generating plants and to generate power for some industrial and commercial
uses. Coal is also used in residences for stoves and fireplaces, but the burning
of certain types of coal creates environmental pollution.
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ
ȱȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǯ
HVAC System
Heating System Heating is rated in British thermal units (BTUs).
Types Warm or hot air
Characteristics/Use Air heated in a furnace and circulated by a pressure blower or relying on the
force of gravity. May include thermostats, filters, humidifiers, air cleaners, and air
purification devices.
Types Steam
Characteristics/Use Produced by a boiler, distributed through a one-pipe gravity system (identical
to the piping used in hot water systems), and transferred through radiators.
More complex and expensive two-pipe systems are found in larger, high-quality
structures. In many provinces, licenses are required for certain classes of steam
boilers; appraisers must be familiar with local boiler license laws and ascertain
whether boilers have current, valid licenses.
Types Electric
Characteristics/Use Includes heat pumps, wall heaters, baseboard units, duct heating units, heating
units installed in air-conditioning ducts, and radiant heat produced by electric
heating elements embedded in floors, walls, and ceilings. The automatic
regulation of a heating system helps it operate efficiently. A multiple-zone
system with separate thermostats is more efficient than a single zone system
with one thermostat. Complex systems provide an individual temperature
control for each room. The efficiency of certain systems can be increased by
putting a thermostat on the outside of the building. This helps building operators
anticipate how much heat the system will need to produce.
Electrical Systems
ȱȱȱ¢ǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǰȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ě¡ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱǯȱȬȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ
ȬȬȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯ
Electrical System
Components Rigid or flexible conduit
BX or armored cable
Characteristics/Use Most electrical wire is copper. A typical residential electrical system is a single-
phase, three-wire system that provides a minimum of 100 amperes of electricity.
Ampere services of 150, 200, 300, and 400 are needed when electric heating
and air-conditioning are used. Most of these services can provide up to 220 volts
by connecting three wires to the outlet.
Ȭ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ǯȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
¢ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ȱ
ȱǯ
Miscellaneous Equipment
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ǰȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ǰȱǰȱȱȱ
yȱ ǰȱǰȱȱȱ¢
yȱ ȱ
yȱ Ĵȱ
Miscellaneous Equipment
Fire Protection
Components Fire escapes
Standpipes and hose cabinets
Alarm services
Automatic sprinklers
Characteristics/Use A wet sprinkler system must have adequate water pressure to ensure that the
pipes are always filled. A dry system has pressurized air in the pipes. When a
sprinkler head opens, the pressure is relieved and water enters. Dry systems
are used on loading docks, in un-heated buildings where there is a danger of
water freezing, and in areas where there is no city water (usually because a well
cannot supply sufficient pressure to operate a wet system).
Elevators
Type Passenger
Characteristics/Use Generally electric; most modern elevators are high-speed and completely
automatic
Type Freight
Characteristics/Use Electric or hydraulic; hydraulic elevators are suitable for low-speed, low-
rise operations
ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¡ęȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Dzȱ ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱĜǰȱǰȱǰȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ£ȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱ ȱDZ
yȱ ȱ ȱȮȱęȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȮȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȮȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȮȱȱȱȱǰȱ¢
yȱ ěȱȮȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȬȱȱȱ£ȱ
ȱȱǯȱȱȱěȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱȱȱǯ
Architectural Style
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ
¢ȱěȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȬ
ȱȱǯȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȬ
DZȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱŗŗǯŘȱȱŗŗǯřȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱ¢ǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ęȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ
¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ architectural style
ǰȱ ǯǯǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ The character of a building'ts form
ȱȱ¢ǯŚȱ and ornamentation.
ȱȱǰȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ formal architecture
ȱȱȱȱȱȱěȱ Architecture identified by its conformity
ȱęȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱ to aesthetic and functional criteria
recognized by persons trained in
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
architectural history.
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
vernacular architecture
ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Architecture designed and built by
ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȬ
individuals according to custom and for
ȱĚȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ its adaptive response to the environment
ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ and contemporary lifestyles, without
ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ reference to the aesthetic and functional
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ criteria of architectural history.
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ Market preferences are influenced both
ǰȱȱȬȱȱȱȱȱ by the desire to maintain tradition and
by an expectancy of innovation.
¡ȱȱȱ¢ǯ
4
Literature on American architectural history is abundant. For a description of architectural styles in a real estate
appraisal context, see Judith Reynolds, Historic Properties: Preservation and the Valuation Process, 3rd ed. (Chicago:
Appraisal Institute, 2006) and Carole Rifkind, A Field Guide to American Architecture, rev. ed. (New York: Dutton, 1998).
Additional sources are cited in the bibiliography.
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ĚȬ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ǰȱ
ȱ Ĝ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ
ȇȱȱȱȱ¢ǯȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¡ǰȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱ¢ȱǯȱȱȱǰȱǰȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ¡ȱ
ȱ¢ǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ¡ȱǯȱȱ¡ǰȱȱ
ȱŗşŝŖǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱǰȱ
ȱ Ȭȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ¢ǯ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȬ
ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ǯȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȇȱ ȱ ȱ ǻȱ ȱ ȱ Ǽǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ
ȱǯ
Functional Utility
ȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯȱ
ǰȱȱęȱȱȬ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ functional utility
ȱȱȱȱǯ The ability of a property or building to
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ be useful and to perform the function
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ for which it is intended according to
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ current market tastes and standards;
ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ the efficiency of a building's use in
ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ terms of architectural style, design and
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ layout, traffic patterns, and the size
and type of rooms.
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ŗşȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ functional inutility
ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Impairment of the functional capacity
of a property or building according to
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ
market tastes and standards; equivalent
¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ
to functional obsolescence because
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ongoing change makes layouts and
ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ features obsolete.
ȱ Ȉȱ Ĝȱ Ȉǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ
¢ǰȱȱĚ¡ȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȬ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ In architecture, style and functional
¢ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ utility are necessarily interrelated
¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ because form and function work with
design and construction to create a
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
successful product.
ǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ DZȱ
yȱ ¢
yȱ ¢ȱȱ
yȱ
yȱ Ĝ¢
yȱ ¢
yȱ ¢
yȱ ¢
yȱ ȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ Ĵ
yȱ ȱ¢
Residential
ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǰȱǰȱęǰȱȱǰȱȱǰȱ¢ȱǰȱȱ¢ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ěȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱȱǰȱȱȱ¢£ȱȱȱ
¡ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ Ȭ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ǰȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱǯś
ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱǰȱȬȱǰȱ
ȱęǯ
ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ŘŖŖȱ ȱ
5
For further discussion of single-unit home design and functional utility, see Henry S. Harrison, Houses – The Illustrated
Guide to Construction, Design & Systems, 3rd ed. (Chicago: Real Estate Education Company, a division of Dearborn
Financial, 1998) and Appraisal Institute, Appraising Residential Properties, 4th ed. (Chicago: Appraisal Institute, 2007).
For discussion of apartment analysis, see Arlen C. Mills, Richard L. Parli, and Anthony Reynolds, The Valuation of
Apartment Properties, 2nd ed. (Chicago: Appraisal Institute, 2007) and Daniel J. O'Connell, The Appraisal of Apartment
Buildings (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990).
ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
ȱȱěȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ Ĵǰȱ ǯǯǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ
ȱȱȱȱǻȱȱŗŗǯŘǼǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ
ȱĜȱĴǯȱȱ¡ǰȱ¢ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱ¢ȱ¢ǯȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȬ
ȱǰȱȱȬȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ Ĵȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¡¢ȱ
ęȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱ ǰȱ
ȱǰȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ę¡ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
£ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱǯȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱȱŗŗǯřǯ
Commercial
ȱȱȱȱȱĜǰȱǰȱǰȱǰȱǰȱȱȱ
ǯȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ
ǯǯǰȱ ȱ Ȭȱ Ĝȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ěȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱǯ
ȱĜ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ
ǯȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ
ȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǰȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ DZ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ¢ȱ
yȱ ȬȱĚȱ¢
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ȱǰȱ¢ǰȱǰȱȱ¢
yȱ ȱȱę
yȱ ¢ȱĜ¢
yȱ
ȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ£ȱǯŜȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ Ĵȱȱ
yȱ Ȭȱ
yȱ ǰȱ Ȭȱȱ
yȱ ȱĜȱĴȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱ
yȱ Ĝȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱęȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱĴǰȱȱ
Individuality: In contrast to the trend of branding a product to promote consumer loyalty, shopping
centre developers are emphasizing regional differences in architectural style to avoid homogeneity.
Strong brand names within a shopping centre are still desirable, but the shopping centre itself
should not be seen as a carbon copy of another property in a chain.
Entertainment retailing: Entertainment functions such as movie theatres, restaurants, and
themed retailers are becoming increasingly common in "destination" shopping centres. Research
has yet to demonstrate conclusively that the presence of movie theatres increases overall sales
within a shopping centre, but properties that lack entertainment options may be at a competitive
disadvantage in the investment market.
Themed districts within a shopping centre: In the past, the tenant mix was often adjusted so
that competitors would be in different areas of a shopping centre. To foster convenience, comfort,
and control for consumers with limited time, shopping centre owners are starting to cluster related
retailers, e.g., wings of a mall focusing on fashion boutiques, sports-oriented retailers, and family-
oriented stores. The effectiveness of the tenant mix of a shopping centre remains a good indicator
of the competency of leasing and management.
6
For a discussion of the spatial analysis of a shopping centre, see M. Gordon Brown, "Design and Value: Spatial Form
and the Economic Failure of a Mall", Journal of Real Estate Research, vol. 17, no. 1/2 (1999): 189-225.
Ĝȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱĴ¢ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱĜȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱĚȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱȱĜȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ ȱ¢ȱǻ ȬǰȱȬǰȱȱȬȱǼȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱ£
yȱ ¡ȱȱĜȱȱȱȱǻȱĚȱȱǼ
yȱ ¡ȱǰȱȱȱȱ¡
yȱ
ǰȱǰȱǰȱ¢ǰȱȱȱ¢
yȱ ȬȬĚȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ
yȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ
yȱ ȱ
yȱ ǰȱǯǯǰȱȱȱǰȱęȱǰȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱĜȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Dzȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Ĝȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
Office-hotel concept: As an alternative to negotiating 10- to 20-year office leases, some office
building owners are experimenting with providing short-term or temporary space and services as
needed by tenants.
Panel systems: Panel systems for separating workspaces are replacing traditional methods of
dividing space in offices for several reasons:
1. Cost – the cost of the technology needed for the average office worker is rising
2. Flexibility – more diverse work teams need adaptable meeting space
3. Private office spaces can be arranged with new panel systems
Data and power infrastructure: Raised floors and carpet tile allow greater access to data and
power cabling as well as denser bundling. (Carpet tile helps muffle the hollow sound of raised
floors.) Sufficient space for telecommunications closets is important for long-term flexibility.
Indoor air quality: The Environmental Protection Agency has ranked indoor air pollution among
the top five environmental risks to public health. Poor indoor air quality can be reduced using proper
ventilation and air exchange rates.
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¡¢ȱǯ
ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱęȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱ¡Ȭ¢ȱǯȱ¢ȱ¡Ȭ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǰȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ¡ȱȱ ȱ¢£ȱ
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱǯ
Industrial
ȱȱĚ¡ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȬ¢ǰȱǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱǯŞȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱǰȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱŗŗǯŚȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱ ǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ¡ȱĜ¢ǯȱ¢¢ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǰȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ
¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǻȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ Ǽǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
8
See also Douglas McKnight, "A Practical Guide to Evaluating the Functional Utility of Warehouses", The Appraisal
Journal (January 1999): 29-36 and Donald Sonneman, "Challenges in Appraising 'Simple' Warehouse Properties", The
Appraisal Journal (April 2001): 174-181.
Loading facilities Multiple load facilities can reduce delays in incoming deliveries and
outgoing orders. Overhead doors are less efficient loading facilities
than loading docks, dock-high floors, and truck wells.
Land-to-building ratio or Typically, 1.8 to 3.5 land-to-building area (0.28 to 0.55 floor space
floor space ratio (FSR) ratio). Many older facilities have less land and thus higher ratios.
The ratio must allow plenty of space for parking, truck maneuvering,
yard storage, and expansion. Floor area ratio (FSR) is also known as
building-to-land ratio.
Size relative to typical Big-box warehouses can be significantly larger than competitive
building size buildings in the market. The cost of reconfiguring a large industrial
building for multi-tenant use is a measure of functional inutility.
Automation: Industrial operations are less labour-intensive and more equipment-intensive than they
once were, and the buildings that house those operations can devote more space to machinery and
systems than to break rooms, locker rooms, etc. For example, telecom hotels, internet switching centres,
and data centres often consist of bare storage space for computer equipment and are rarely visited by
the people who own the equipment. Also, automated inventory operations increase efficiency, particularly
when dealing with small electronic components or other products that are difficult to distinguish by the
naked eye.
Just-in-time manufacturing and inventory practices: Manufacturers do not want to be burdened with
the cost of storing large quantities of the products they produce, so their suppliers and the warehouse
operators who serve them focus less on the long-term storage of inventory and more on the movement
of inventory.
ȱ¢ȱǰȱ£ȱȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ£ǯş
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǻȱ ȱ ŗŗǯśǼǯȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȇȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ£ȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
¢ȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱĜǯ
Animal shelters • Animal shelters should be dry and clean, provide protection from the
wind and sun, and be adaptable to equipment storage.
Machine sheds • Sheds are needed to house tractors, combines, discs, plows, harrows,
cultivators, pickers, trucks, and other equipment.
Shop • Most farms have an area for maintenance of mechanical equipment.
Often the shop is a pole barn with concrete floors that has been modified.
In winter, this may be the most important building on the property.
• Usually heated, cooled, and insulated.
Dairy production • Pipeline milking machines and overhead feed bins dictate the require-
facilities ments for milking parlors and loafing sheds where livestock are sheltered.
Special-Purpose Buildings
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ǯȱ Ȭ
ȱȱȱȱ DZ
yȱ
ȱȱ
yȱ
yȱ ȱ
9
For additional information on improvements to rural land, see American Society of Farm Managers and Rural
Appraisers and Appraisal Institute, The Appraisal of Rural Property, 2nd ed. (Denver and Chicago, 2000).
ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȬȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯȱȱ¡ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱǯȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱǰȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱǰȱȬ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯŗŖ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȇȱ
ȱǰȱȱĴǰȱȱȱȱȱȱǯŗŗ
ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ęǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ
Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ
¢ȱǰȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱǯ
To investigate the functional utility and value of building components designed specifically to serve the
use of a special-purpose property, the appraiser can employ several strategies:
Ȋ Review appraisal literature pertaining to properties in a similar product category
Ȋ Search for market data on similar – i.e., not directly comparable – or related facilities
Ȋ Interview the current or recent occupant and other operators in that particular field
Ȋ Interview brokers or other appraisers specializing in that product or with experience in that seg-
ment of the market
Ȋ Interview the project architects and engineers
Ȋ Review building plans with a cost estimator or with architects or engineers experienced in that
product type
Ȋ Review taxation case studies for pertinent precedents
The appraiser should also consider the Competency Rule of Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice in assignments relating to special-purpose property.
Source: David Paul Rothermich, "Special-Design Properties: Identifying the 'Market' in Market Value", The Appraisal Journal
(October 1998): 410-415.
10
See also Arthur E. Gimmy and Mary G. Gates, The Business of Show Business: The Valuation of Movie Theaters
(Chicago: Appraisal Institute, 2000).
11
For more information on houses of worship, see Martin H. Aaron and John H. Wright, Jr., The Appraisal of Religious
Facilities (Chicago: Appraisal Institute, 1997).
Mixed-Use Buildings
¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱȬȱDZ
yȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝǰȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ
ȱȱ ȱȱȱǯ
yȱ ĜȱȱȱȱȬȱȱȱȱǯ
yȱ
ȱȱȱȱ ȱǰȱĜǰȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ¡Ȭȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ¢£ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȬ
ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱǰȱ
ȱǯȱȱȱ¡Ȭȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱĚȱȱȱĜȱȱ ȱ ȱȱěǯȱ¢ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱęǯȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱĜȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯȱ¢ȱȱ
¢ȱȱ£ȱȱȇȱȱǰȱ ȱȱǰȱȬ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱĜȱȱȱȱǯ
¡Ȭȱ ȱ ǻǼȱ ȱ £ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ¢ǰȱ £ǰȱ
ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱǰȱȱȬǯȱ
ȱ ¡Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ
¡ǰȱ¡¢ȱȱǯŗŘ
12
For a comprehensive analysis of mixed-use developments, see Dean Schwanke, Mixed-Use Development Handbook
(Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 1987).
ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ǰȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȬ
ȱ¢ȱĚȱȱȱǰȱȱȱǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȇȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ In the condition component of a
¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ quality and condition survey, the
ȱȱȱȇȱ¢ȱȱȱȬ appraiser distinguishes among
ȇȱȱȱȱǯ items in need of immediate repair
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ (deferred maintenance items),
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ short-lived items that can be
ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ replaced at a later date, and long-
ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȬ lived items expected to last for
ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡¢ȱ ȱ ȱ the remaining economic life of
the building.
ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ
ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
¢ǯȱȱ¡ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȮȱȱĚǰȱǰȱǰȱǯȱȮȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱ ǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱDZ
ŗǯȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱǯǯǰȱȱ
ȱ
Řǯȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱǯǯǰȱȬȱ
řǯȱ ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱǯǯǰȱȬ
ȱ
¡ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱŗŗǯŜǯ
Table 11.6: Sample Items Considered in the Quality and Condition Survey
Poor floor plans are easily recognized by those who make up the market for houses, but standards often
vary with current trends in a region and neighborhood. The location of various rooms in relation to the site
can increase or diminish a dwelling's privacy and comfort.
Short-Lived Items
• Interior paint and wallpaper
• Exterior paint
• Floor finishes
• Shades, screens, and blinds (often considered personal property)
• Waterproofing and weatherstripping
• Gutters and leaders
• Roof covering and flashing
• Water heater
• Furnace
• Air-conditioning equipment
• Carpeting
• Kitchen appliances (considered short-lived items only if built-in)
• Sump pump
• Water softener system (often rented, not owned)
• Washers and dryers (often considered personal property)
• Ventilating fans
Long-Lived Items
• Hot and cold water pipes
• Plumbing fixtures (may also be considered functional components)
• Electric service connection (may also be considered functional components)
• Electric wiring
• Electric fixtures
• Ducts and radiators
Short-Lived Items
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ǰȱȱȱȱęȱȱȱȬȱǯȱȱŗşȱȱȬȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ
ȱ¡ǰȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱŗŖȬ¢ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ
ȱ ęȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱǯ
ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ
ȱǯȱȱ¡ǰȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȬ
ȱ ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ short-lived items
A building component with an
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ȱ
expected remaining economic
ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ
life that is shorter than the
remaining economic life of the
Long-Lived Items entire structure.
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ long-lived items
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ Building components with an
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ expected remaining economic
life that is the same as the
ȱȱǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ
remaining economic life of the
ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ
entire structure.
ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȭ
ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱȱ ȱ Ȭȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǯ
ȱȱȬȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ǰȱȱ¡ǰȱ ȱ
¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ
ȱǯ