Property ValuationIntermediateAlaska Exam

An Alaska appraiser estimates that a property's highest and best use as vacant would be residential development. The highest and best use as improved is a commercial building. This difference suggests:

AThe commercial building is the highest and best use and should be retained, which is broadly consistent with standard practice statewide
BThe existing commercial use does not represent the highest and best use of the site — the improvements may contribute negative valueCorrect
CThe residential use is always preferred over commercial
DThe appraiser should use the income approach exclusively

Why The existing commercial use does not represent the highest and best use of the site — the improvements may contribute negative value Is Correct

Answer B: The existing commercial use does not represent the highest and best use of the site — the improvements may contribute negative value

When highest and best use as vacant differs from highest and best use as improved, the existing improvements may not represent the best use of the site. If the land (vacant) is worth more than land plus improvements (as improved), the improvements are adding negative value and may need to be demolished.

Exam Tip: Property Valuation

Valuation questions focus on the three approaches to value: sales comparison, cost, and income. Know which approach is best for which property type. The income approach uses cap rate and NOI — memorize these formulas.

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