Real Estate Appraisal Reports 2026: What Lawyers Need to Know


Course Date: April 27, 2026

Full Course Materials
Total: 5h 28min
Total Ethics: 57min
Course Agenda ▼
Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:05)
 
Course Introduction (9:05 – 10:30)
 
Basic Rules
    • appraisal in general 
    • final value vs. how the appraiser actually got there
    • appraiser standards
    • appraiser designations and the big myth
    • the big problems with appraisal reports today
The Age/Life Concept
    • typical life expectancy/economic life
    • effective age vs. actual age
    • the age/life formula and reviewing
    • where to look
BREAK (10:30 – 10:45)
 
Reviewing the Cost Approach (10:45 – 11:45)
  • depreciation
  • cost approach mechanics
  • what goes where in the cost section
Land Valuation
 
Sales Comparison Approach
    • sales comparison mechanics
    • abstraction
Questions and Discussion (11:45 – 12:00)
 
LUNCH (12:00 – 1:00)
 
Reviewing the Sales Comparison Approach (1:00 – 2:30)
  • how the sales comparison method works
  • condition adjustments
  • GLA adjustments
  • where to look
BREAK (2:30 – 2:45)
 
Reviewing Condo Appraisal Reports (2:45 – 3:45)
  • the simple review methods
  • where to look
Reviewing Commercial Narrative Appraisal Reports
    • the most common mistakes
    • highest and best use analysis
    • sales comparison the income way
    • reviewing income statements
    • the IRV formula
    • reviewing capitalization rates
Questions and Discussion (3:45 – 4:00)