valuation

competition

Competition is the appraisal principle that when a type of property or business earns excess profits, new competitors are attracted to the market, which tends to reduce those profits over time. For example, a highly profitable shopping area may draw new stores and centers until returns fall to normal levels. The principle helps appraisers judge whether current income levels are likely to last.

Exam tip
Competition is about profits attracting rivals; don't confuse it with substitution, which is about buyers choosing the cheapest equal alternative.
Example
A single coffee shop in a busy area earns large profits; within a year three more open nearby, and its income drops.

Related terms & state variants

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Last verified: 2026-10-23