In-person Training

30 Sep

WTH?! Why THAT House?: Understanding Appraiser Comp Selection

WTH?! Why THAT House?: Understanding Appraiser Comp Selection

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM)

Phoenix REALTORS® Office, Phoenix, Arizona Appraisal Training for REALTORS

You're Registered!
CE Credits: None available
Instructor: Aaron B. Chonka
 
Ever looked at an appraisal and wondered, “Why did the appraiser use THAT house?”
 
You’re not alone.
 
Comparable selection is one of the most misunderstood parts of the appraisal process. The closest sale isn’t always the best comparable. The house with the same floor plan may not be the strongest indicator of value. And sometimes the sale that looks “perfect” on paper isn’t really competing for the same buyer at all.
 
WTH?! Why THAT House? — How Appraisers Select Comps takes you inside the thought process behind comparable selection.
 
What We'll Explore
  • Through questions, discussion, and real-world examples, we'll examine:
  • What actually makes a property comparable
  • How buyer behavior influences market value
  • The Principle of Substitution and the idea of a “purchase alternative”
  • How appraisers identify a property's true competition
  • Why the closest sale isn't necessarily the best comp
  • How Demand, Utility, Scarcity, and Transferability (D.U.S.T.) influence value
  • How the principles of competition and conformity affect comparable selection
  • Why agents and appraisers sometimes see the same market differently
  • How lender requirements can influence the appraisal process
  • Ways real estate professionals can communicate more effectively with appraisers

Phoenix REALTORS® Office
Phoenix REALTORS® Office
7878 N 16th St
Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85020

Map & Directions

Aaron B. Chonka