For appraisers, functional obsolescence can be a challenging concept because the elements that influence property values may not be obvious or immediately apparent. To help you better understand what it means and how to pinpoint it, we’re exploring some examples, the different types of functional obsolescence, and how it can influence property values.
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What is functional obsolescence?
The literal textbook definition from The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal explains functional obsolescence as, “the impairment of functional capacity of a property according to market tastes and standards.” To put it in laymen’s terms, it refers to the flaws (perceived or otherwise) in a property’s functionality that negatively affect its value.
Functional obsolescence may or may not be caused by trends in buyer or market preferences, outdated design, or even advances in technology. Let’s look at a few examples:
A home has three bedrooms, but to reach the third bedroom, you have to walk through the other secondary bedroom. Buyers are likely to see this as a flaw in the floor plan regardless of trends.
A home has a separate formal living room, an enclosed kitchen, and a separate dining room. Today’s buyer prefers a more open, casual layout and may find the separate rooms a flaw in the floor plan, though this may change with market trends.
A home with radiator heat and window unit air conditioning may be seen as functionally obsolete, and thus less valuable, as more modern homes have forced air furnaces and central air conditioning.
Types of functional obsolescence
The extent to which functional obsolescence affects a home’s value can depend on what type it is.
Curable obsolescence
Curable obsolescence is a flaw in the property that can be “cured.” Once the owner fixes, repairs, or modifies the property to remedy the flaw, it will no longer be considered functionally obsolete, and the appraised value should reflect that.
Using one of the examples above, a homeowner could take out the wall separating the kitchen and dining area, creating a more functional space for buyers.
Incurable obsolescence
As its name suggests, incurable obsolescence means the homeowner can’t remedy the property to eliminate the functional flaw. An example is a residence that features an unconventional design where its primary entrance or living spaces face away from the street, contrary to the traditional orientation of neighboring homes. This divergence from the typical street-facing layout may result in reduced curb appeal and market desirability, representing a form of functional obsolescence that is challenging to remedy without significant alterations to the property’s design.
Superadequacy
Superadequacy refers to either an element of the property or the property itself being excessively improved or having excessive features or qualities relative to the standard expectations for a property within a given market. The homeowner is unlikely to see a linear increase in market value.
For example, building a 5,000 square foot home may be seen as a superadequacy if it is built in a neighborhood comprised of modest-sized, two and three-bedroom homes. In this context, the property may not align with the typical features and market expectations of its neighborhood, making it less appealing to potential homebuyers. Consequently, this property might struggle to command the homeowners’ perceived market value for such a property within that specific location.
Identifying functional obsolescence
Measuring functional obsolescence and its effect on a property’s value can be challenging for even experienced appraisers. To ensure accurate reports, it’s essential you stay up to date and aware of market trends, and even code and building updates, as these changes over time do determine both curable and incurable obsolescence.
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