Education / Events

"I learned things I didn't even know I didn't know, such as the potentially significant differences between a legal parcel and an assessor-designated parcel."

Workshop Presenter: Neil A. Lefmann, MAI, SRA - Sr. Appraiser, Valbridge Property Advisors

California not only maintains the most complex and far-reaching land regulations in the nation: it is also the only one of 50 states that has state-mandated land use regulations and procedures, which are in addition to local county, city and other regulatory ordinances.

There is widespread confusion regarding what constitutes a legal parcel. While California’s Subdivision Map Act provides a legal framework, it’s not so simple to navigate the SMA’s complexities.  This presentation will inform attendees’ understanding of significant considerations pertaining to legal parcels, which are a critically important element in real property appraisals and Market Value.  

In this 3-hour virtual workshop, as an appraiser, Lefmann who brings more than 4 decades of experience in land valuation will offer an engaging review of all you need to know about legal parcels, legal subdivisions, legal descriptions, and related issues.

• History of Land Ownership in the U.S. and California
• What is PLSS?  Lot & Block? Metes and Bounds?
• Tract Map vs. Parcel Map vs. Record of Survey
• The difference between and Assessor's Parcels and Legal Parcels
• Significant elements of California's Subdivision Map Act
• About legal non-conforming parcels and merger provisions
• Units of lengths (rods, chains, links, varas)
• How to read legal descriptions
• How curves are legally described
• How to draw a legal description
• Useful computer programs

This Educational Program (Program) was developed and organized by the Appraisal Institute Chapter offering the Program with the intent of addressing topic(s) of current local interest solely for educational and informational purposes. The Appraisal Institute national organization was not involved in developing or organizing the Program. The content of this Program, including but not limited to any written materials and presenter comments, does not represent the viewpoint of the Appraisal Institute (defined as including but not limited to, the national organization, its Regions, Chapters, members, candidates, affiliates and staff) unless formally adopted by the national Board of Directors. Further, the Appraisal Institute has not peer-reviewed or approved the content of the Program and does not warrant the accuracy or timeliness of the content of the Program. The content of the Program is subject to court decisions and local, state and federal laws and regulations and any such revisions of such laws and regulations. This Program is presented with the understanding that the Appraisal Institute is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice or services. Nothing in the Program is to be construed as the offering of such advice or services. If expert advice or services are required, attendees and readers are responsible for obtaining such advice or services from appropriate professionals. Please note that not all states have approved Virtual education, therefore, registrants must check their individual states for approval before registering for the program. Before registering for the program, registrants understand and agree that continuing education credit for this program may not be available in their state on the date of the program. The Appraisal Institute is not responsible if credit is not available for the program in individual states. State exceptions for virtual education may expire prior to the offering date.

A FREE webinar hosted by the Alameda County Assessor's Office and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce

The financial squeeze that businesses are experiencing due to COVID has been devastating. Businesses must look to every resource to find and save money to weather the pandemic. Alameda County Assessor Phong La will join the Fremont Chamber of Commerce to discuss the work of the Assessor’s Office focusing on Proposition 19 and the recently passed low-value ordinance in Alameda. The financial impact of these programs could be of lifesaving for business.

This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the Northern California Chapter. 

Instructor: Gary DeWeese, MAI

In this 4-hour virtual seminar, enhance your valuation analyses and broaden your consulting portfolio by understanding the complexities of calculating effective rent. You will gain a thorough understanding of effective rent and its importance in lease negotiations and valuation assignments by working through case studies featuring common circumstances involving effective rent. Strengthen your analyses by evaluating the way effective rent impacts property value. Recognize how the integration of the effective rent measurement is used by market participants (landlords and tenants) for leases involving landlord concessions and non-market-based provisions in all three approaches to value. At the end of the seminar, you will have a take-away model to use immediately when incorporating effective rent into your valuation or consulting work.

• Define effective rent and distinguish between nominal rent and effective rent.
• Identify how calculating effective rent impacts property value.
• Recognize how familiarity with effective rent implications helps appraisers consult with landlords and tenants in lease negotiations.
• Identify how integration of the effective rent measurement impacts all three approaches to value.
• Evaluate proper methods of calculating effective rent and apply the conclusions in each approach to value.

Instructor: Stephen Roach, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS

Based on the Appraisal Institute textbook Applications in Litigation Valuation: A Pragmatist’s Guide, this seminar discusses in detail three of the book’s case studies that provide an overview of litigation strategies for appraisers who are new to litigation work, as well as a reinforcement of litigation skills for more experienced appraisers. Case study topics include title issues, continuing nuisance, and condemnation.

• Identify important issues specific to litigation valuation assignments.
• Evaluate competency as it relates to litigation assignments.
• Develop an appropriate scope of work for complex litigation appraisal problems.
• Identify appropriate valuation techniques for litigation assignments.
• Develop an engagement letter for phased litigation assignments.
• Identify best practices for preparation of demonstrative evidence.
• Identify best practices for preparation for direct testimony.

Note. Applications in Litigation Valuation: A Pragmatist’s Guide is required for this seminar; it is not included with the seminar tuition. If you do not have the textbook, please order in the Online Store; allow sufficient time for delivery.

Due to demand this second offering has been added to our schedule!

Developer and Instructor: Gary DeWeese, MAI

By examining unusual and complex land valuation assignments, this seminar takes concepts covered in the Appraisal Institute curriculum to the next level. In addition to lecture, discussion, and Q&A, sample case studies will demonstrate, primarily in Excel, conceptual and practical applications that participants will be able to incorporate into their day-to-day work. The seminar will suggest strategies for performing these assignments.

• Utilize a land residual technique based on a DCF analysis to value land intended for two alternative competing uses (“for rental” apartments versus “for-sale” condos)
  
  
• Determine the highest and best use of land when the legally permissible, physically possible, and financially feasible use(s) are very uncertain and cannot be determined using traditional methodologies
  
  
• Determine land rent using a non-traditional unit of comparison (in this case land rental value based on average traffic volume)
  
  
• Estimate the value of land subject to a long-term ground lease with multiple forms of financial benefits accruing to the land owner
  
  
• Determine land value when its value is a function of a curvilinear relationship – in this case determining the value of land suitable for apartment development as a function of density (allowable units per acre)

The Northern California Chapter is teaming-up again with the Northern California Chapter of Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) to present a one-hour COMPLIMENTARY webinar on Tuesday, March 2 at 12:00pm (Pacific Time).

Scott Crowe, Chief Investment Strategist of CenterSquare Investment Management will share insights as to how the U.S. commercial real estate market is poised to evolve in dramatic ways in a post-COVID environment.  The past year has accelerated many secular trends that were already in progress, creating a market that is redefining “core” real estate as we know it.  Mr. Crowe will cover the impact of these trends across sectors, identifying winners and losers as indicated by both the public and private markets. Specifically, he will address:

• The Long Term Impact of COVID on E-commerce, Migration and the Future of Work
• What the REIT Market Can Tell Us that The Private Market Can’t
• Implications for Industrial, Office and Residential Sectors
• The Rise of a New Core – Alternative Real Estate

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the real estate industry’s most forward-thinking investors who promises a conversation that is both practical and provocative.

There are no CEC hours associated with this joint offering.