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.
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Last verified: 2026-10-23