Code of Massachusetts Regulations
264 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS
Title 264 CMR 2.00 - General Provisions
Section 2.03 - Definitions
The definitions of the following terms shall apply to 264 CMR 2.00 through 12.00. The definitions used in 264 CMR 2.03 shall be construed consistent with USPAP. Where inconsistencies are found, the USPAP shall control.
Analysis - a study or real estate or real property other than estimating value.
Appraisal Assignment - an engagement for which an appraiser is employed or retained to act, or would be perceived by a third party or the public as acting, as a disinterested third party in rendering an unbiased analysis, opinion, or conclusion relating to the nature, quality, value, or utility of specified interest in, or aspects of, identified real estate.
Appraisal or Appraisal of Real Estate - a written or oral analysis, opinion or conclusion prepared by a real estate appraiser relating to the nature, quality, value or utility of specified interests in, or aspects of, identified real estate. The act or process of estimating value. An appraisal may be classified as a valuation or analysis, or both.
Appraisal Foundation - the Appraisal Foundation incorporated as an Illinois nonprofit corporation on November 30, 1987 and recognized under the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA).
Appraisal Report - a written or oral report of an appraisal.
Appraisal Review - the act or process of developing and communicating an opinion about the quality of another appraiser's work that was performed as part of an appraisal assignment related to the appraiser's data collection, analysis, opinions, conclusions, opinion of value, or compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Appraisal Review does not include:
(a) a general examination for grammatical, typographical or similar errors; or
(b) a general examination for completeness including regulatory (other than USPAP) and/or client requirements as specified in an agreement process that does not communicate an opinion of value.
Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) - the board appointed by the Appraisal Foundation to establish rules of developing and reporting appraisal.
Appraisal Subcommittee - The Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) created on August 9, 1989, pursuant to Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (Title XI).
Appraisal Trainee - a person who holds a current license as a trainee issued by the Board pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 178.
Appraiser-in-training - A State Licensed Appraiser or State Certified Residential Appraiser working under the direct supervision of an appraiser licensed at a higher level on assignments outside the scope of practice of the credential held by the appraiser being supervised.
Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) - the board appointed by the Appraisal Foundation to establish criteria for appraiser licensing and certification.
Atypical Factors - Characteristics that are not typical and that significantly contribute to the value of the real estate, including, but not limited to:
(a) architectural style;
(b) age of improvements;
(c) size of improvements;
(d) size of lot;
(e) neighborhood land use;
(f) potential environmental hazard liability;
(g) property interest;
(h) limited readily available comparable sales data;
(i) changing market conditions; or
(j) other unusual factors.
Board - the Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers established pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 13, § 92.
Certificate - the document issued by the Board indicating that the person named thereon has satisfied the requirements for certification as a real estate appraiser.
Certificate Holder - person in whose name a real estate appraiser certificate has been issued by the Board.
Classroom Hour - 50 minutes out of each 60 minute segment.
Complex One-to-four Family Residential Property Appraisal - one which the property to be appraised, market conditions, or form of ownership is atypical and which atypical characteristic(s) have a significant value contribution.
Complex Property - any parcel of real estate where the highest and best use, market conditions, or forms of ownership are atypical or where atypical characteristics have a significant affect on value.
Continuing Education - courses that are approved by the Board to be used to satisfy the education requirements for renewal of a license or certificate.
Course Provider - a college, university, other educational entity, or individual that offers real estate appraiser education.
Direct Supervision - the act of personally reviewing the appraisal report of an Appraisal Trainee and/or an Appraiser-in-training, and to approve and to sign the report as being independently and impartiality prepared and in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Distance Education - a Board approved course distinguished by the geographical separation of instructor and learner, including, by way of example but not limitation, CD-ROM, on-line learning, correspondence courses, and video conferencing.
Elective Education - a Board approved course that may enhance the practice of real estate appraisal, but does not focus on the direct application of real estate appraisal practices and principles.
Federal Registry - See National Registry of Real Estate Appraisers.
Federally-related Transaction - any real estate-related financial transaction which a federal financial institutions regulatory agency engages in, contracts for, or regulates, and which requires the services of a real estate appraiser. Federally-related Transaction also includes any transaction identified as such by a federal financial institutions regulatory agency.
Licensee - person in whose name a state-licensed, state certified residential, state certified general or appraisal trainee license has been issued by the Board.
Mass Appraisal - the process of valuing a universe of properties as of a given date utilizing standard methodology, employing common data, and allowing for statistical testing.
National Registry of Real Estate Appraisers (National Registry) - a registry of individuals who are qualified and eligible to perform appraisals in connection with Federally-related Transactions. This registry is maintained by the Appraisal Subcommittee or its successors.
Non-residential Education - appraisal education that focuses on nonresidential property subject matter. Non-residential education includes introductory courses in nonresidential property principles and practice, nonresidential property analysis, capitalization methodology, report form writing, eminent domain proceedings and takings, and other aspects of the income capitalization approach to value.
Non-residential Property - any improved or unimproved parcel of real estate including, but not limited to the following:
(a) properties used for commercial purposes, whether or not the primary basis for valuing the property is based on income;
(b) multi-family properties larger than four units;
(c) commercially-zoned property; with highest and best use as such;
(d) development properties improved or unimproved, where the primary value is derived from sales revenue less all appropriate deductions and dollar discounts;
(e) easements;
(f) partial interests, such as leaseholds, leased fees, life estates, etc; and
(g) other nonresidential properties or interests.
Real Estate - an identified parcel or tract of land, including improvements, if any.
Real Estate-related Financial Transaction - any transaction involving:
(a) the sale, lease, purchase, investment in, or exchange of real property, including interests in property, or the financing thereof;
(b) the refinancing of real property or interests in real property; or
(c) the use of real property or interests in real property as security for a loan or investment, including mortgage-backed securities.
Real Property - one or more defined interests, benefits, and rights inherent in the ownership of real estate.
Registrant - person applying for temporary registration based on licensure or certification in another jurisdiction.
Registration - licensure or certification by the Board.
Residential Education - appraisal education that focuses on residential property subject matter. Residential education includes introductory courses in residential property principles and practice analysis, report form writing, and aspects of the replacement cost approach and the direct sales comparison approach to value.
Residential Property - any parcel or real estate, improved or unimproved, that is utilized for one-to-four family purposes and where the highest and best use is for one-to-four family purposes. A residential unit in a condominium, townhouse or cooperative complex is considered to be residential property. Residential property does not include:
(a) subdivisions wherein a development analysis or appraisal is necessary or utilized;
(b) easements; or
(c) partial interests, such as leaseholds, leased fees, life estates, etc.
Review Appraiser - an appraiser who examines the reports of other appraisers in accordance with Standard 3 of the USPAP.
State-certified General Real Estate Appraiser - a person who develops and communicates real estate appraisals and who holds a current, valid certificate as a State-certified General Real Estate Appraiser under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 12, § 178.
State-certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser - a person who develops and communicates real estate appraisals and who holds a current, valid certificate as a State-certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 12, § 178.
State-licensed Real Estate Appraiser - a person who develops and communicates real estate appraisals and who holds a current, valid license as a State-licensed Real Estate Sppraiser under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 12, § 178.
Subdivision Appraisal - an appraisal of land which can be valued as more than one lot when all appropriate deductions for completion costs are considered within an absorption period using the methodology of discounting.
Supervising Appraiser - a State-certified General or State-certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser who supervises an appraisal trainee and/or an Appraiser-in-training acting in accordance with 264 CMR 6.01: Scope of Practice. Only individuals who have been licensed in good standing as a State-certified General or State-certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser for at least three years in Massachusetts may serve as a supervising appraiser.
Temporary State-licensed or State-certified Real Estate Appraiser - a person who has been issued a temporary license or certificate pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 183.
Transaction Value:
(a) For loans or other extensions of credit, transaction value means the amount of the loan or extension of credit;
(b) For sales, leases, purchases, and investments in, or exchanges of, real property, transaction value means the market value of the real property involved; or
(c) For the purchase or sale of loans or interests in real property pooled for sale, transaction value means the amount of the loan or the market value of the real property calculated with respect to each loan or real property interest in the pool.
The transaction value for a series of related transactions will be calculated as if only one transaction is involved if it appears that an entity is attempting to evade the requirements that the appraisal be performed by a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser. Mass appraisals performed in support of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, or Veterans Administration loan transactions will not be considered as one transaction.
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice - the entire uniform appraisal standards document titled Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), as defined by 12 C.F.R. §225.191(P).
Use Value - the value a specific property has for a specific use.
USPAP - See Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Valuation - an estimate or opinion of the value of real estate or real property.
