Rural Cemetery (Commercial or Residential)

[Michigan CG]

Vic,

Through the forum I have "conversed" with Lee in L.A. over the years and we seem to have a lot of similar opinions so I will "use" him as an example.

Sounds exceedingly complex, I wouldn't even think about it..........

So hypothetically, let us say Lee and I live relatively close by an in a state where a CR appraiser can appraise commercial properties with certain limitations as many states allow different things.

So Lee calls me up and says, "Dude, I have a client who wants me to appraise a subdivision and the estimated build-out of the property." I would say to him, "Dude, my fee is $5,000, you add to that whatever you want. I will send you a template on what you need for the assignment including the spreadsheets for your discounted cash flow. You will need to follow my template as my name will be on the report".

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Michigan, sounds like the way to go at it, CG runs the show. But I wouldn't touch that subdivision thing either. Sergeant Schultz defense, I know nothing!

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Your bigger concern is not whether you are permitted to perform this assignment under your license category bit rather if you meet the competency provision of USPAP.

I'm curious if anyone could actually claim competency in the absence of data.

wonder if cemetery appraisal would be worthwhile as a specialty.

I heard the business is dead...but so is residential right now.

If some portion is undeveloped, then what is the proposed use? Cemetery? Church? Public Park? Elderly housing (live here and no need to rent a hearse when you die!)

And being a member of the local Cemetery Preservation Group, I can say there are a lot of unmarked graves in the average pioneer cemetery. I remember going to one where there were no stones but obvious depressions in the ground. Across the fence in a horse pasture was a small pile of squared off native stones....someone "cleaned up" the cemetery and got rid of all those rocks that were interfering with mowing. Each undoubtedly had marked a grave.

 

[Mountain Man]

Oh noooo... who we gonna call now?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/showbiz/movies/obit-harold-ramis/

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I heard the business is dead...but so is residential right now.

If some portion is undeveloped, then what is the proposed use? Cemetery? Church? Public Park? Elderly housing (live here and no need to rent a hearse when you die!)

Dig your own grave, and save!

 

[The Warrior Monk]

I am concerned as to whether my licensing will be sufficient to appraise this cemetery and vacant land that encompases this 20 acre parcel. Can a general appraiser from New York please respond and let me know if a cert. residential appraiser could appraise this property for this client?

I did speak to a local general appraiser in my town this morning who I have met at education classes and other appraisal functions and he said that I could appraise it, since NY never finalized whether cemeteries are considered commercial properties.

NY State basically follows that AQB criteria for scope of practice of the various credential categories. That means the scope of practice for a certified residential appraiser is improved 1-4 family properties, and vacant land whose highest and best use is 1-4 family. It would also exclude subdivision analysis.

Given this information, the appraisal of a cemetery would definitely be outside the scope of practice of a certified residential appraiser. The classification of a cemetery, or any other property, as "commercial" or "residential" isn't relevant in the determination of scope of practice. Also, with regard to NY State being a non-mandatory licensing state, that only applies to appraisers that do not have NY licenses. When a person has a license in NY State, they are subject to license law, regardless of whether or not the property being appraised is a FRT.

Cemetery appraisals are most definitely complex assignments. There are a whole series of laws that apply to cemeteries, and it is essential to know and understand these laws in order to value these properties.

I strongly recommend passing on this assignment, unless you are working with a CG that has experience in appraising such properties. I refer such assignments to appraisers with the appropriate expertise.