Using the Comparables Grid
Move Around the Comparables Grid
You can move around inside a comparable’s grid in the same way you move around the rest of the form, using [Tab], [Shift][Tab], and the Mouse.
To move from one comparable to the next, just click in the comparable where you want to enter data.
To get to Comps 4-5-6: Select View | Go To Additional Comps | <comps you want to see> or go to the adjustment column of Comparable 3 and press the right arrow key on your keyboard. This will open an addendum for Comparables 4-5-6.
To get back to Comps 1-2-3: Click the appropriate Form Tab on the left, or click the 2nd "X" from the top (in the upper left) to close the Comps 4-5-6 page.
To get to Comps 7-8-9: Select View | Go To Additional Comps | <comps you want to see> or go to the adjustment column of Comparable 6 and press the right arrow key on your keyboard. This will open an addendum for Comparables 7-8-9.
Rounding In the Comparables Grid
Rounding inside the Comparables Grid works the same way as it does for the other fields in a form. When Forms is first installed, all fields are not rounded as described in the Field Attributes section of this guide. If you like, you can change the type of rounding that is used for a particular field. For example, you might want to change the rounding for the final price on each of the comps to round to hundreds of dollars.
TIP: Do not use rounding in fields that will be used for calculations, for example, in estimating the value of square feet. If you do, the rounded number, which is less accurate than a number that has not been rounded, will be added into the calculation and make it less accurate. Only use rounding in fields that will not be used for calculations or are totals.
Adjustment Calculations
You can type in adjustments to the comparable in the +(-)$ Adjustment column. An automatic adjustment is available in the Gross Living Area item so that you can tell Forms to automatically calculate the value of a comp as if it were exactly the same size as the subject.
Example 1, Site Adjustment: In Figure 3-2, The Subject’s Site has zero square feet, but Comp’s 1 and 2 have significant Sites. The appraiser has deducted $8,000 and $4,000 (as shown in the Adjustments column) from Comp’s 1 and 2 to make up for this difference. In the finished appraisal, these dollar amounts will be deducted from the Sales Price to come up with a comparable value. The comparable values are shown at the bottom of each column.
Figure 3-2 The Comparables Grid
Figure 3-3 Gross Living Area in the Comparables Grid
Example 2, Gross Living Area Adjustment: In Figure 3-2, The Subject’s Gross Living area is slightly different than that of each of the Comp’s. The appraiser has decided to deduct from each Comp:
($5/foot)*(the difference in footage from the Subject)
To adjust the gross living area:
1. Enter the dollar amount adjustment in the field right next to the Gross Living Area.
2. Enter the square footage for the subject.
3. Enter the square footage for each of your comps.
4. Press [Enter¿]. Forms will calculate the adjustments and displays the amount to deduct in the Adjustments column. In the finished appraisal, the Adjustment amounts will be deducted from the Sales Price to come up with a comparable value.
Shortcuts in the Comparables Grid:
While you are in the Comparables grid, click your right mouse button to produce a menu of useful shortcuts.
If you really want to be a super-power user, use the shortcut key combinations on the right side of this menu. For example, to copy a field from a previous comp, click in the field where you want the data to appear, then hold down [Ctrl] while you press [1].
WARNING: Some of these shortcuts have the potential to overwrite or delete information that has already been entered. There is no Undo. Be careful!
For a chart describing each of these commands in detail, see the QuickStart pages at the beginning of this User Guide.
Figure 3-4 The Comparables shortcut menu
This menu is available from the right mouse button while you are in the Comparables grid.