This course, “Mastering Comparable Sales and Making Adjustments,” is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methodologies, and tools required to effectively select and adjust comparable sales in real estate appraisal.
Key Learning Objectives:
Understand Comparable Sales Criteria: Learn to identify and select comparable sales based on style, location, site size, and condition in alignment with Fannie Mae guidelines.
Analyze Market Reactions: Explore how various property attributes (e.g., living area, amenities, location) impact market value and how to reflect these differences through adjustments.
Develop Critical Appraisal Techniques:
Apply paired sales analysis to isolate and quantify the value of specific property features.
Undertand and use bracketing techniques to ensure comparables are appropriately balanced around the subject property.
Evaluate zoning considerations and legal permissibility to ensure compliance with market and regulatory standards.

Expand Search and Adjust Methodology: Address scenarios with limited comparable sales by expanding search parameters and employing alternative adjustment methodologies, such as the Ratterman Method.
Refine Market-Specific Adjustments: Tailor adjustments for differences in features based on local market conditions, ensuring accurate and credible appraisals.
Navigate Complex Scenarios: Handle outliers, reconcile adjusted values, and validate sale prices through arms-length transaction analysis and verification methods.
Application of Knowledge:
Students completing this course will be equipped to:

• Conduct precise and market-relevant appraisals for a variety of property types.
• Articulate and defend adjustment methodologies in professional reports.
• Assist stakeholders, including lenders and clients, in making informed decisions based on accurate property valuations.