Tucson Appraisals
Junior Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2007
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Arizona
I can't find the option in the online M&S Estimator for Rammed Earth walls. Anyone know the answer to this one?
The M & S Residential Cost Handbook (paper copy) has a section under Special Studies for earth sheltered, rammed earth, baled straw homes so contact Marshall & Swift directly,
One thing I have done with rammed earth/straw bales homes is I measure the exterior dimensions as wells as the thickness of the wall. Then in my sketch I have the exterior of the exterior wall sketched so I have the square foot for the Cost Approach. Then inside that exterior wall I sketch another wall that is approximately 6" more of the inside wall of the exterior wall, that area is what I use in the Sales Comparison Approach because my comparables are going to be typical Eterna/Rasta, concrete or slump block or 2" x 6" frame construction. That way I am actually comparing similar livable area calculations. If I used the livable area based on the exterior dimensions there would be at least eighteen inches around the exterior that would not be comparable to the sales. I then have very detailed explanations of what I have done and why I have done it that way. So far an underwriter has not become unglued and have never had any callbacks from the client.

Just a question...does the client know what type home this is? They may not want to make the loan.
Is this the rammed earth home RELS tried shopping in Casa Grande on 8 acres+ about a month ago? I quoted $1,500, then followed up with them and told them $1,250. Never got a sniff on it... What'd ya get buddy? Please say you didn't sell your soul on this one for less than $1,000. A lot of time and research is needed for that type of property. I spent a whole night reading about those properties preparing for the assignment that never came... oh well... it was a good education.
