The American Society of Farm Management and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) released its new textbook, “Valuing Rural America: Foundations of Data Analysis,” to provide insights on methodology for appraisers of all career stages and experience levels, the ASFMRA announced in a press release.
It takes the body of knowledge in rural appraising to a new level.
“Most of the published literature in the appraisal profession deals with urban appraisal topics,” chief writer Justin Bierschwale wrote. “Few resources address rural property appraisal, and those that have been published really focus on production agriculture.
“Today’s appraisers also deal with mountain and recreational land and properties with natural resources, such as oil and gas deposits or sand and gravel mines. Much rural land is devoted to wind turbines or generating geothermal or solar energy. This book has tried to broaden that scope and capture all of it,” Bierschwale added.
The book begins with data analysis, written specifically for the entry-level appraiser. Exhibits and sample reports guide beginners through completing their first appraisal assignment. Mid-level appraisers are treated to a road map for understanding proportional analysis that will increase their efficiency and help them understand how to compare properties with differing value components, the ASFMRA said.
The book builds to “very complex data analysis,” which Bierschwale said will benefit the “seasoned appraiser who has an understanding of the foundational ways that we do things but doesn’t have anything on the bookshelf to show them what happens when things can go ‘haywire.’”
Appraisal professionals and consumers can order Valuing Rural America: Foundations of Data Analysis at www.valuingruralamerica.org.