Are Churches Commercial Influences?

[mark hurlock]

I received the following request after a completed appraisal.

There is a church at the end of the street.






"Appears subject may have commercial/negative influences per google map adjacent to church, please comment if this effects marketability? Should there be a location adjustment? Does any of the comps have similar influences?"

 

[J Grant]

Do a historic search of homes that sold in a very close proximity to the church.

Hopefully that can tell you what you need re if there is a location adjustment seen in the market. If you used a comp within similar proximity to search as subject, that would have similar influence.

 

[mark hurlock]

Do a historic search of homes that sold in a very close proximity to the church.

Hopefully that can tell you what you need re if there is a location adjustment seen in the market. If you used a comp within similar proximity to search as subject, that would have similar influence.

What about page 2 of the 1004 certification section 17?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Tell them you are Muslim and they are defaming the prophet by asking such questions...

That's stupid. In my area, churches are frequently found in residential zoned areas, in commercial zoned, or in even industrial zoned as well. It is more likely to have a positive influence than negative unless it is a Mosque in the Jewish quarter.

 

[mark hurlock]

Tell them you are Muslim and they are defaming the prophet by asking such questions...

That's stupid. In my area, churches are frequently found in residential zoned areas, in commercial zoned, or in even industrial zoned as well. It is more likely to have a positive influence than negative unless it is a Mosque in the Jewish quarter.

Terrel,

I can't even describe how offended and outraged I became after finding this request in my email.

I will need to wait a while to calm down before responding so I can act professional.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

Depending upon the size and functioning of the church, there could most certainly be a negative impact. Is the parking lot and its lighting adjacent to the house--traffic patterns in and out of the parking lot. How many nights a week does the church host events/services, etc. Could have no impact whatsoever.

Easily offended and outraged are we?

 

[Peter LeQuire]

Church parking lots are some of the best places for children to skate board, ride bikes, play roller hockey - no traffic, high visibility, etc. etc.

I took a call last week about the adverse influence of a cemetery on an adjacent residential property - I've never seen such an influence: occupants of cemeteries are generally pretty quiet, the have good lawn maintenance, and don't generate a lot of traffic.

Now we can have the "places of worship" argument.

G'mar Hatimah Tovah, ya'll.

 

[Elliott]

Are schools commercial influences ? No. Churches are a residential characteristic.

 

[J Grant]

The lender did not mention only a commercial influence, they asked about commerical OR a negative influence. Not all influences have to be commercial. to affect value

A school can be a neg influence, noise, buses pulling up, traffic etc.

A church can be a positive influence, a neg influence, or neutral. In my experience, most of the influence is neutral, but do historical research of sales with same/similar proximity and the market will answer.

 

[mark hurlock]

Easily offended and outraged are we?

Usually only by anonymous message board posters who only say whats on their mind because they post with an alias. You know the cowardice kind.

Oh, and those who ask if I violated page 2 section 17 of the 1004 certification page.

Other than that, I'm pretty good. Does that answer your question?