I saw something in an appraisal report yesterday that I have never seen before and that was a $25,000 adjustment made to 3 comparable sales because the subject proeprty (which has a $310,000 contract price) has an electric vehicle charger. From the appraisal photos it looks like a level 2 charger and the cost for install such a level 2 charger should be no more than $1500 ($3500 if a home's electrical panel also needs to be upgraded). Of course there was no explanation in the appraisal report of how the appraiser derived the amount of the adjustment. There was also a fourth "comparable" included in the report that also had an EV charger, but that supposed comp was useless since it literally had 3x the GLA of the subject property and was in superior, gated community.
Essentially this is still an uncommon improvement in most markets. Aside from site location and lot size variables, by the time I match and or bracket every salient feature I have 6-9 comps in grid. Design style, overall quality and condition, Room, Bedroom, Baths, HVAC, basement use/access, fireplace(s), garage, swimming pools, hardscape features from patios, decks, fish ponds, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, solar panels are all noteworthy salient feature that most often if not always require adjustments. Then you have salient features that are noteworthy but are seldom worthy of adjustments like leased solar panel systems, above ground pools, hot tubs, back up generator electricity system, sky lights, in ground sprinkler system, fences, storage sheds, stoops ..... and EV charger systems. While arguably beneficial to some buyers most of that second group are non factors to the vast majority. To find an MLS listed sale noting an EV charger one could spend a full day searching hundreds of sales - that likely is a terrible "comp" near 3 miles away and 35 months old. I do not expand my search parameters to find a home with an EV charger or a shed or fish pond because my subject has one. I note whether L1, 2 or 3 and estimated cost new ($1,500 - $10,000) that adds little to no contributory value based on anticipated demand and is essentially irrelevant and immaterial in the valuation process, however times are changing. While an EV charger is mostly a super improvement now they will likely will be as common as a dishwasher soon and eventually a refrigerator. In the meanwhile a 8%, $25,000 adjustment to 3 sales in that report was asinine - but using a 3x larger GLA sale as a "comparable" because it allowed him to "bracket" a feature just screams appraiser is a certifiable moron.