Jerald is researching data for an appraisal of an apartment building. On the internet, he finds information on employment statistics, housing trends, and transportation studies. What type of data is this?

• A. General Data
• B. Primary Data
• C. Specific Data
• D. Local Data

Answer: (A)

General data are broad indicators of market conditions that apply across many properties or markets, not tied to a single parcel. Employment statistics, housing trends, and transportation studies illustrate the overall economic and market forces that influence demand, supply, and pricing in a wide area, so they provide useful context for an appraisal without being specific to the subject property. This differs from primary data, which would be data you collect yourself, and from specific or local data, which focus on the particular property or its immediate neighborhood.