Land Appraisal

Land appraisal is a method of determining the estimated market worth of a piece of land. Several types of parameters, like the land's location, superior quality, area, and state, influence its worth. An appraiser usually analyzes the property, conducts market research, examines the land's physical and economic characteristics, and provides an accurate assessment of the land's market value. They prepare a report which contains an extensive examination of the land and its value in relation to market worth. Additionally, an explanation of any further advantages or drawbacks will be included in the appraisal report that the appraiser releases. This process is crucial to real estate transactions and must be completed by an experienced and qualified appraiser. It helps provide buyers and sellers with a clear picture of the fair market worth of a piece of land, enabling them to make informed buying or selling decisions.

Some land appraisal factors include the following:

• Size and layout: A piece of land's size and shape affect its value because larger, more regular parcels are generally easier to construct on and more attractive than smaller, uneven ones.
• Location and connectivity: The land's connectivity and placement affect its supply and demand as well as its potential applications. 
• Zoning and constraints: Land's zoning and limits constrain its potential applications and impact its market value because the intended applications of different types of land determine their worth. 
• Market patterns and dynamics: The demand and supply of similar land, financial and social elements, and the needs and desires of sellers and buyers impact the land's market dynamics and patterns.

Land appraisal methods are procedures employed for estimating a property's value. Appraisers employ several types of techniques for estimating the fair market value of a piece of land, which depends on the appraisal's intended application. Usually, there are three primary land appraisal methods: income, sales comparability, and cost. The cost method establishes a property's worth by applying the rules of depreciation and replacement cost. With this approach, the land value of the asset is separated from the improvement value, which provides an accurate figure that depends on construction costs. The sales comparison method is the most commonly utilized technique. Using this approach, an appraiser estimates the concerned property's worth by examining the recent sales prices of similar ones. Finally, the income method estimates the land's worth by relying on its potential to generate net income. This method is usually employed for assets that generate revenue, like shopping malls or residential buildings.

Let us go through the following land appraisal examples to understand this process:

Example #1

Let us assume that Sam wants to buy land to build a house. He contacts Jane, who wants to sell her land. Sam hires a professional appraiser to estimate the fair market value of the land. The appraiser conducts his examination and presents a detailed report containing crucial information about the property and its value based on various factors. Sam verified that the appraiser’s estimated value matched the value that Jane quoted. So, he went ahead with the transaction and purchased the property. This is a land appraisal example.

Example #2

The insurance industry witnessed losses exceeding estimates, even though the pandemic had concealed an increasing disparity in property values. Agents and brokers must proactively encourage their clients to get their property valued at current rates to ensure that their clients have insurance for their property's value. Property appraisal is an essential requirement for obtaining appropriate coverage and premiums for an insurance plan. Inaccurate property assessment presents a risk to policyholders since it might leave them unprotected. This is another land appraisal example.

Land appraisals are a crucial component of real estate transactions. They offer an impartial, objective, and expert assessment of the worth of lands, property, houses, and buildings. The property's value impacts the sale price and the cost of taxes that the owner must pay. A licensed appraiser with appropriate expertise performs these appraisals. When assessing the land, they must consider several types of factors, such as its potential for future development and its existing condition. They may also confirm that the market rate is practical and reasonable by examining similar properties in the same area. There is immense significance in land appraisals. It helps safeguard the legal interests of creditors, purchasers, and sellers. Moreover, these appraisals ensure that purchasers do not pay more for properties, sellers are given an appropriate value for their land, and creditors do not give too much or too little credit for a property.

The differences are as follows:

Excess Lan

• This is the case when the lot size is more extensive, and the excess or additional land can be sold separately from the existing lot. 
• A section of the land may be divided from the remaining portion and sold as a distinct entity. 
• It can be put to a different, highest, and most significant use.

Surplus Land Appraisal

• This is the case when the piece of land is large, and the excess or additional land cannot be sold separately. 
• This indicates that there is no distinct highest and best use for the extra land. 
• The more extensive area is only more land that could be valuable in the future but cannot be utilized for a different purpose from the remaining part of the lot.