B4-1.4-05, Leasehold Interests Appraisal Requirements (11/06/2024)

A mortgage that is secured by a leasehold estate or is subject to the payment of “ground rent” gives the borrower the right to use and occupy the real property under the provisions of a lease agreement or ground lease, for a stipulated period of time, as long as the conditions of the lease are met. When the lease holder is a community land trust, there may be significant restrictions on both the purchase and resale of the property. For more information on appraising this type of leasehold, see B4-1.4-06, Community Land Trust Appraisal RequirementsB4-1.4-06, Community Land Trust Appraisal Requirements.

The appraisal requirements for leasehold interest properties are as follows:

• Appraisers must develop a thorough, clear, and detailed narrative that identifies the terms, restrictions, and conditions regarding lease agreements or ground leases and include this information as an addendum to the appraisal report.

• Appraisers must discuss what effect, if any, the terms, restrictions, and conditions of the lease agreement or ground lease have on the value and marketability of the subject property.

When there are a sufficient number of closed comparable property sales with similar leasehold interests available, the appraiser must use the property sales in the analysis of market value of the leasehold estate for the subject property.

However, if not enough comparable sales with the same lease terms and restrictions are available, appraisers may use sales of similar properties with different lease terms or, if necessary, sales of similar properties that were sold as fee simple estates. The appraiser must explain why the use of these sales is appropriate, and must make appropriate adjustments in the Sales Comparison Approach adjustment grid to reflect the market reaction to the different lease terms or property rights appraised. See B4-1.3-08, Comparable SalesB4-1.3-08, Comparable Sales, for general requirements regarding comparable selection.