Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
2930 - Council on Real Estate Appraisers
Section 2930-6.0 - Guidelines for Qualifying Mass Appraisal Experience

6.1.1 Qualifying mass appraisal experience must conform to USPAP Standard 6. Credit will be given for experience that demonstrates proficiency in appraisal principles, techniques, or skills used by appraisers practicing under USPAP Standard 1.

6.1.2 Components of the mass appraisal process that should be given credit are highest and best use analysis, model specification (developing the model), and model calibration (developing adjustments to the model). Other components of the mass appraisal process, by themselves, shall not be eligible for experience credit.

6.1.3 In order to evaluate the experience qualifications of ad valorem tax assessors with mass appraisal experience, the Council will review such applications considering the above - mentioned criteria, and shall review work samples for compliance with USPAP Standard 6. It is important to note that any individual appraisal reports prepared in conformity with USPAP Standards 1 and 2 are fully creditable as appraisal experience. Such reports are often prepared by ad valorem appraisers for defense of value work. Ad valorem appraisers are encouraged to apply for experience credit for full appraisals as well as for mass appraisal experience. An hour of experience is defined as actual verifiable time spent performing tasks in accordance with the Council Rules and Regulations. USPAP Standard 6 sets forth in detail the required work and the reporting of that work for ad valorem tax purposes. Unlike the fee appraiser who prepares and signs a report for each value estimate, the ad valorem appraiser typically prepares analyses and reports that support the appraisals for groups of properties. These efforts are focused on the specification and calibration of models (validation schedules) for these groups of properties.

6.1.4 Applicants seeking mass appraisal experience credit must demonstrate their experience using one of the following options:

6.1.5 Data collection for purposes of mass appraisal, defined as the on-site collection of property characteristics, is not by itself creditable as appraisal experience. However, as part of mass appraisal model specification and/or calibration, the applicant accepts responsibility for the accuracy of market (sales) data used to develop and/or calibrate the models. Therefore, it is important that the applicant have a working familiarity with the range of properties in the sales sample and thus creditable experience is allowed for sales verification work in conjunction with the mass appraisal model specification/calibration process.

6.1.6 The applicant must have a documented data collection manual that specifies how each property characteristic was measured. For each property characteristic that influences the final value for any property, a complete specification of the variable must be available in the mass appraisal model (schedule) documentation. This documentation must detail how each property characteristic influences value and it must provide a basis in terms of market evidence for using these characteristics.

6.1.7 If the applicant is using an existing mass appraisal system, either mass appraisal vendor supplied or a commercial cost service, documentation must exist which supports how the valuation system was calibrated to local market conditions. If the cost approach is used, documentation must exist which illustrates the extraction of depreciation schedules from local market analysis.

6.1.8 If the applicant develops the mass appraisal model (schedule) specification, evidence derived directly from the local market must be available that supports the use of each property characteristic. For property characteristics included in the model that have a marginal influence on value (items generally included for public relations purposes), such items should be specifically identified and their contribution to value detailed.

6.2.1 Applicants seeking mass appraisal experience credit must complete the Mass Appraisal Experience Log on a form approved by the Council.