Why should an appraiser make a physical inspection of each comparable sale property?

• A. To verify the selling price on MLS
• B. To photograph the property for the report
• C. To obtain information that was not provided by the original source, especially regarding locational or physical features
• D. To measure the property boundaries for legal description

Answer: (C)

The main thing being tested is why firsthand inspection matters for comparables. You inspect in person to gather information that the original data sources often don’t provide or may not describe accurately—especially locational and physical features that influence value. On-site observation lets you verify things like condition, quality of construction, age of major systems, room layout, renovations, and cleanliness, as well as site characteristics such as lot size, topography, view, drainage, setbacks, and the presence of features like garages, pools, or outbuildings. It also helps you assess neighborhood context—accessibility, traffic, curb appeal, and nearby amenities—which can materially affect value.

Relying solely on MLS listings or prior reports can miss or misstate these details, leading to unreliable adjustments between the subject and each comparable. Photographs and price data are useful supplements, but they don’t replace the depth of information gained from a physical inspection. Legal descriptions and boundary measurements come from surveys or records, so measuring boundaries is not the primary purpose of the inspection.