Course Summary: How Do You Find Those Comps? (3 Hours CE)

This continuing education course is designed for licensed real estate appraisers, salespersons, and brokers who want to strengthen their understanding of the sales comparison approach to property valuation.

Participants will review the three traditional approaches to value, with an emphasis on how to identify, analyze, and adjust comparable sales to support credible valuations. The course covers:

• Selecting appropriate comparable properties, both within and outside the subject property's neighborhood.
• Applying quantitative and qualitative adjustments to account for differences between properties.
• Addressing valuation challenges such as changing market conditions, limited comparable data, and rural property appraisals.
• Understanding current Fannie Mae and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) requirements related to documentation, bracketing, time adjustments, and the use of active listings and pending sales.
• Developing defensible appraisal reports that meet lender and professional standards.

The course uses real-world case studies and breakout discussions to help attendees apply appraisal concepts in practical situations and improve their ability to produce well-supported opinions of value.