maps&comps
Using GIS to assist decision-making
A SILVER BULLET
(THAT’S ALSO GREEN)
By John cirincione, SRA, and Mark R. Linné, MAI, SRA
The energy-efficient
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Whether out of convenience or just habit, if
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though, is that even without an attached
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vampire power drain” effect. Luckily, the solution
to this problem involves not garlic but simply
a more energy-efficient power adapter: the
EcoCharge by Ventev. When not in charging
mode, a plugged-in EcoCharge draws 10 times
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Star-certified chargers. Sized to fit crowded
wall outlets and power strips, the EcoCharge
comes in either micro- or mini-USB adapter
models, and both versions also feature a
standard-size USB adapter, so you can even
charge two devices at once.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
TECHNOLOGIES ARE MORE COMMON
THAN EVER, so it’s surprising that there are still
very few appraisal professionals who utilize GIS for
managing and analyzing property data sets with
other relevant characteristics.
GIS is “a computer system for
capturing, storing, checking, integrating,
manipulating, analyzing and displaying
data related to positions on the Earth’s
surface,” according to the Association
for Geographic Information, as cited
in the Open Geospatial Consortium
Glossary ( www.geo.ed.ac.uk/agidict/
welcome.html ).
Seeing property information with related data
sets in a map or geospatial context can be more
beneficial than merely viewing the same data in a
spreadsheet format. Adding a spatial component
to data provides the opportunity to gain greater
insight into those data and to see new patterns
that might be less visible in a purely tabular or
narrative presentation.
Here are some of the ways GIS can help solve
appraisal problems and improve
reporting communication:
CASE PROBLEM: You
need to identify wetlands soil
limitations and gain insight into
the development potential for a
highest- and best-use analysis
problem.
SOLUTION: Chris Miner,
MAI, SRA, of Greenfield
Advisors in Seattle, suggests adding a GIS
layer of the subject property boundary
lines over a GIS layer of a wetland map. He
does so with Maptitude GIS software.
CASE PROBLEM: You need to perform
a retrospective appraisal of a
home that was wiped out by a
hurricane.
SOLUTION: Frank Lucco,
SRA, of IRR-Residential d b SOLUTION: r
does so with Maptitude GIS software.
al f
hurricane. SOLUTION: SRA, of IRR-Residential
Appraisers & Consultants in Houston, recommends obtaining photos of the subject and comps
via Internet engines Bing or Google, then using
GIS mapping for location and tax-record data and
aerial imagery showing views before and after
the storm.
www.ventev.com
$29.99
CASE PROBLEM: You need to compare
warehouse properties with differing transportation access.
SOLUTION: By providing an aerial image
from Bing or Google of these differing access
characteristics, you can likely demonstrate why
the subject’s access is superior or inferior to
other properties in a market.
There are many other examples of applications emerging in the market to
permit a more thorough analysis
of data. Increasingly, appraisal
professionals will utilize this type
of analysis.
John Cirincione, SRA, is the Appraisal
Institute’s representative to MISMO for
residential data standards and vice chair
on MISMO’s Property and Valuations
Services Workgroup. He is the director of
business development and alliances for
Mark Linné, MAI, SRA, is the executive vice president
of analytics and education at Appraisal World, an
online portal for emerging technologies in the appraisal
industry. He is also an author, speaker, columnist,
Let us know how you are
using GIS by sending your
comments to valuation@
appraisalinstitute.org.
