Th e r ol e of t a s k c o m pl exity in v al u a tio n e r r o r s a n aly sis in a d e v elo pi n g r e al e s t a t e m a r k e t B affo u r Awu a h, KG a n d Gy a mfi-Yebo a h, F h t t p:// dx. d oi.o r g/ 1 0. 1 0 8 0/ 0 9 5 9 9 9 1 6. 2 0 1 7. 1 3 1 5 4 4 4 Ti t l eTh e r ol e of t a s k c o m pl exity in v al u a tio n e r r o r s a n aly sis in a d ev elo pi n g r e al e s t a t e m a r k e t A u t h o r s B affo u r Awu a h, KG a n d Gy a mfi-Yebo a h, F Typ e Articl e U RL This ve r sio n is a v ail a bl e a t : h t t p:// u sir.s alfo r d. a c. u k/id/ e p ri n t/ 4 4 5 3 1/ P u b l i s h e d D a t e 2 0 1 7 U SIR is a di git al c oll e c tio n of t h e r e s e a r c h o u t p u t of t h e U niv e r si ty of S alfo r d. W h e r e c o py ri g h t p e r mi t s, full t e x t m a t e ri al h el d in t h e r e p o si to ry is m a d e fr e ely a v ail a bl e o nli n e a n d c a n b e r e a d , d o w nlo a d e d a n d c o pi e d fo r n o nc o m m e r ci al p riv a t e s t u dy o r r e s e a r c h p u r p o s e s . Pl e a s e c h e c k t h e m a n u s c ri p t fo r a n y fu r t h e r c o py ri g h t r e s t ri c tio n s. Fo r m o r e info r m a tio n, in cl u di n g o u r p olicy a n d s u b mi s sio n p r o c e d u r e , pl e a s e c o n t a c t t h e R e p o si to ry Te a m a t: u si r@ s alfo r d. a c. u k .The real estate valuation literature on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) shows a growing concern over valuation errors especially wide variation in valuations. Although there have been increased business and investment activities in the last decade or more in the region, these valuation errors pose a challenge to the maturity of SSA real estate markets as valuations promote transparency and support efficient operation of property markets. Based on archival and survey data, as well as insights from the task complexity discourse, this study examines the extent of variations in valuations and the effect of complex valuation tasks on the levels of the variations in Ghana. The study finds high levels of variations in valuation opinions of 33.6% and 63% for the archival and survey data respectively. These levels of variations are substantially higher than have been reported in the literature for advanced markets suggesting that the concerns of valuation errors in SSA may be well grounded. Consistent with theory, it is further established that variations in valuation opinions may be more pronounced in comparatively more complex assignments. These findings have several implications including possible loss of confidence of market players in valuations, heightening of market uncertainty and increase in transaction costs.

Purpose Adequate reliable property market data are critical to the production of professional and ethical valuations as well as better real estate transaction decision-making. However, the availability of reliable property market information represents a major barrier to improving valuation practices in Ghana and it is regarded as a key challenge. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the sources and reliability of property market information for valuation practice in Ghana. The aim is to provide input into initiatives to address the availability of reliable property market data challenges. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods research approach is used. The study, thus, relies on a combination of a systematic identification and review of literature, a stakeholder workshop and a questionnaire survey of real estate valuers in Accra, Ghana’s capital city to obtain requisite data to address the aim. Findings The study identifies seven property market data sources used by valuers to obtain market data for valuation practice. These are: valuers own database; public institutions; professional colleagues; property owners; estate developers; estate agents; and the media. However, access to property market information for valuations is a challenge although valuers would like to use reliable market data for their valuations. This is due to incomplete and scattered nature of data often borne out of administrative lapses; non-disclosure of details of property transactions due to confidentiality arrangements and the quest to evade taxes; data integrity concerns; and lack of requisite training and experience especially for estate agents to collect and manage market data. Although professional colleagues is the most used market data source, valuers own databases, was regarded as the most reliable source compared to the media, which was considered as the least reliable source. Research limitations/implications Findings from the study imply a need for the development of a systematic approach to property market data collection and management. This will require practitioners to demonstrate care, consciousness and a set of data collection skills suggesting a need for valuers and estate agents to undergo regular relevant training to develop and enhance their knowledge, skills and capabilities. The establishment of a property market databank to help in the provision of reliable market data along with a suitable market data collection template to ensure effective and efficient data collection are considered essential steps. Originality/value The study makes a significant contribution to the extant knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the frequency of use and the reliability of the various sources of market data. It also provides useful insights for regulators such as the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other stakeholders such as the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) and the Government to improve the provision of reliable property market information towards developing valuation practice not only in Ghana, but across the Sub-Saharan Africa Region. Also, based on these findings, the study proposes a new property market data collection template and guidelines towards improving the collection of effective property market data. Upon refinement, these could aid valuation practitioners to collect reliable property market data to improve valuation practice.

In valuing property one method that is commonly adopted in situations where market evidence is non-existent is the Depreciated Replacement Cost method. As the name suggests, this involves estimating the replacement cost as new of the property, which is the subject matter of the valuation, and making allowances for accrued depreciation. The allowance made for depreciation is important as it allows for the estimation of value that reflects the current state of the property. The estimation of depreciation for valuation purposes has been the subject for a number of empirical studies. There is however no consensus within the valuation profession as to which approach to estimating accrued depreciation addresses the key elements that are of concern to the valuer viz; age, condition and functional obsolescence. The paper proposes one such approach that incorporates all these elements in the estimation of accrued depreciation for valuation purposes. The approach first considers the individual causes of depreciation separately and uses different methods to estimate accrued depreciation for each of the causes of depreciation. Total accrued depreciation is then estimated by first taking account of curable physical depreciation and then age and functional obsolescence. The approach proposed presents a basis for a more comprehensive discussion and a subsequent adoption of a common methodology valuers can rely on to estimate depreciation.

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Integration, Secondary mortgage market, Cointegration, Mortgage market, Capital market,

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