Reference Guide

Appendix 2: Condition and Quality Rating Definitions

Appendix F-1, page 351

Condition Rating Definitions#

Condition Ratings describe the physical condition of a property as of the effective date of the appraisal on an absolute basis, not on a relative basis or how a property relates to other properties.

Condition Rating definitions are used for Overall Condition, Exterior Condition, and Interior Condition.

Condition Rating Definitions

Rating Condition Rating Definition Criteria
C1 The dwelling is 100% newly constructed, completed within the past 12 months, has never been occupied, and exhibits no signs of wear or use. A dwelling in C1 condition:
- Has a foundation that must be 100% original to the new construction.
- May include non-structural components composed of "like new" recycled materials (e.g., reconditioned or refinished barn wood).
- Is a 100% newly constructed dwelling that does not exhibit physical depreciation.
C2 The dwelling exhibits like-new condition. It has been recently constructed or entirely remodeled within 36 months prior to the appraisal date, while retaining portions of the pre-existing structure. The dwelling may have been occupied but features no deferred maintenance and requires no repair. A dwelling in C2 condition:
- Has been recently constructed (within the past 36 months), and otherwise exhibits virtually no wear and tear, but is no longer new due to occupancy or use (e.g., model home), or
- Has been fully remodeled "to the studs" including new major components; a new dwelling built utilizing the footprint or façade of a pre-existing dwelling; or a newly converted condo/co-op in a pre-existing building.
C3 The dwelling has been well-maintained and exhibits only minimal wear and tear. The dwelling may exhibit only minor age-related physical depreciation; or, most components, but not every major building component, has been updated or renovated. A dwelling in C3 condition will likely have:
- Components or rooms that are older but have been very well maintained or experienced minimal use, and show little or no physical depreciation, or
- Major components or rooms that have been recently updated, but which do not constitute a full-home renovation/remodel.
Examples of major components include but are not limited to a combination of (one or more):
- Newer roof
- Some newer mechanicals
- New / newer floor coverings
- Remodeled kitchen or bathroom(s)
C4 The dwelling has been adequately maintained and exhibits moderate wear and tear resulting from occupancy and exposure to elements. The dwelling may feature some updating, but otherwise contains deferred maintenance items that are generally minor or cosmetic in nature. A dwelling in C4 condition may have experienced some periodic updating but most components are near the middle of their life cycle. Common deferred maintenance resulting from typical use is apparent but presents no immediate impact.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Minor damage to walls or trim (interior or exterior)
- Worn floor finishes or carpet that shows age
- Kitchen or bathrooms that are dated but fully functional
C5 The dwelling exhibits significant wear and tear resulting from inadequate maintenance, but the soundness and structural integrity are sufficient to support occupancy. Some components may be missing or near the end of their useful life, but major components are still functional. A dwelling in C5 condition has items that will need to be repaired, rehabilitated, or replaced in the near future for the dwelling to remain useable and functional.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Roofing that is significantly worn, cupped, or curled but with no apparent active leaks
- Severely worn, damaged, or missing floor coverings
- Functional kitchen or bathroom that may be in disrepair (e.g., damaged or missing cabinets or countertops).
C6 The dwelling features an extreme lack of maintenance, resulting in severe damages, deficiencies, or defects that impact the soundness or structural integrity, and the dwelling is not suitable for occupancy. There are major components that may be missing, no longer functional, or otherwise require immediate correction. A dwelling in C6 condition is not useable or functional in its current state, and will require immediate repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement of key components.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Active roof leaks
- Damaged or missing exterior components that allow weather intrusion into the dwelling with resultant structural impact or damage
- Damaged or failing foundation
- No functional kitchen or bathrooms

Quality Rating Definitions#

This chart shows the definitions for

  • Overall Quality rating
  • Interior Quality, including room size, ceilings, trim, floor material, kitchen, and bathrooms
  • Exterior Quality, including doorways, fenestration, architectural details, roof design, and exterior walls

Quality ratings describe the quality of a property as of the effective date of the appraisal on an absolute basis, not on a relative basis or how a property relates to other properties.

Quality Rating Definitions
In each category, the property must meet the majority of the criteria listed but does not have to meet all criteria.

Rating Overall Quality Rating Interior Quality Rating Exterior Quality Rating
Q1 The dwelling is an individually designed, one-of-a-kind structure built to exacting standards. Q1 features exceptional quality materials and luxury amenities, and exhibits the highest quality of workmanship and complexity in architectural design. The dwelling features a high degree of refinement and ornamentation that requires specialized construction or installation. A Q1 dwelling is recognized as being very rare or even non-existent in some communities. - Spacious rooms with high ceilings featuring extensive use of treatments (e.g., coved, barrel, cupola, coffered, beamed) and exceptional grade trim and custom millwork throughout.
- Exceptional grade, often rare or imported flooring materials, frequently featuring inlay work or other customization.
- Spacious kitchens featuring top-grade materials, extensive cabinetry, and countertop surface area; appliances and fixtures are frequently state of the art, custom-designed, built-in, or commercial grade.
- Luxury bathrooms, often oversized and featuring exceptional quality materials and multiple ornate or state-of-the-art fixtures and features.		 - Custom fenestration and doorways using exceptional grade materials and engineering; featuring keystones or detailed mouldings throughout.
- Roof designs using premium materials designed for longevity and resistance to weather; often featuring large ornamental overhangs, multiple hips and valleys, or steep pitches.
- Exterior walls constructed using exceptional grade materials, often featuring multiple corners, unique angles and shapes, and extensive use of trim or decorative adornments.
Q2 The dwelling is a high-quality structure, often using customized or complex, commercially available plans. The materials and amenities have extended life expectancy, high energy efficiency, and greater detail, ornamentation, or custom finishes. A Q2 dwelling can contain a mixture of upgraded, high-end and luxury materials, constructed with high-quality workmanship. - Spacious rooms with higher ceilings that may have custom design elements (e.g., coved, barrel, cupola, coffered, beamed), high-end built-ins, mouldings and wall treatments in communal areas and the main bedroom.
- High-grade floor coverings designed for the highest level of durability and occasionally featuring inlays or other customization.
- Large kitchens featuring high-end appliances, extensive cabinetry, and countertops.
- Large bathrooms specifically dedicated to certain bedrooms as well as at least one common bathroom; containing high-end countertops, cabinetry, and plumbing fixtures.		 - Multiple windows and doorways constructed with high-end materials, featuring custom design particularly at the front and rear entry and often featuring keystones or other decorative adornments.
- Roof designs using high-end roof materials; typically featuring ornamental overhangs, steep pitches, and multiple ridges, hips and valleys, and gables.
- Exterior walls constructed using high-end materials and featuring multiple corners with angled walls, unique shapes, and custom trim at focal points.
Q3 The dwelling represents housing that can be reproduced from standard plans, featuring a higher than standard degree of complexity and some customization in the structural design, amenities, and finishes. A Q3 dwelling can contain a mixture of premium and standard level materials or amenities. They are often characterized as "semi-custom" new construction, or as pre-existing dwellings that are upgraded using some premium materials or amenities. - Large general living areas or main bedroom with all other rooms sufficiently sized.
- Some rooms may have vaulted ceilings, and custom design elements such as built-ins, upgraded trim, finishes, mouldings and wall treatments.
- Upgraded or high-grade floor coverings that exceed the quality and durability of standard-grade.
- Moderately sized kitchens featuring upgraded appliances, cabinetry and countertops or a mix of upgraded and high-grade elements.
- Multiple bathrooms of moderate size with some bathrooms specifically dedicated to certain bedrooms as well as at least one common bathroom; containing upgraded cabinetry and plumbing fixtures or a mixture of upgraded and high-end elements.		 - Multiple windows and doorways constructed with upgraded materials and featuring decorative design elements adorning at least the front of the home.
- Roof designs using upgraded roof materials; may have steep pitches, could have more than one ridge with hips and valleys, gables, and overhangs.
- Exterior walls constructed using upgraded materials and featuring multiple corners with some angled walls or unique shapes.
Q4 The dwelling is constructed using standard building plans and designs that can be reproduced multiple times with minimal customization or style variations. The materials and amenities are widely available and can contain a mixture of some standard and economy-level materials. - Sufficiently sized rooms typically with flat ceilings and some vaulted ceilings in larger rooms, some trim or finishes of basic design.
- Standard floor coverings that exceed the quality and durability of economy grade.
- Moderately sized kitchens featuring standard-grade appliances, cabinetry and countertops or a mix of economy and upgraded elements.
- Usually featuring multiple bathrooms of moderate size containing standard-grade cabinetry and plumbing fixtures or a mixture of economy and upgraded elements.		 - Windows and doorways constructed of standard-grade material.
- Simple roof designs using standard-grade roof materials with moderate pitch and could have more than one ridge; may feature some simple decorative elements such as gables or overhangs.
- Exterior walls constructed using standard-grade materials and featuring multiple corners; but basically rectangular in shape or footprint.
Q5 The dwelling is basic in design and meets minimum building standards. Dwellings rated Q5 are designed for efficiency in installation and construction representing basic housing. Q5 dwellings have minimal refinements or upgrades but are not considered substandard. - Small rooms typically with flat ceilings, minimal trim or finishes of basic design.
- Economy floor coverings that meet minimum standards.
- Small kitchens featuring economy-grade appliances, cabinetry, and countertops or a mix of standard and economy grade.
- Bathrooms that are limited in size and number, and feature economy-grade cabinetry and plumbing fixtures or a mixture of economy and standard-grade elements.		 - Limited windows and doorways, constructed of economy grade materials, simple in shape and design, and featuring basic trim and finish.
- Basic roof design, usually low-pitch and single roofline; features economy or standard-grade roof materials.
- Exterior walls constructed using economy or standard-grade materials and featuring minimal corners; usually a basic rectangular shape.
Q6 The dwelling is a structure constructed in a manner reflecting a lack of basic architectural designs and may not meet local building standards. The materials and amenities are low quality, alternate, or non-customary; or whose construction or installation reflects unskilled workmanship and may not be adequately equipped to support year-round occupancy. Q6 dwellings may be rare or even non-existent in many communities. - Small rooms often with low ceilings, limited closet or storage space, and little or no trim or finishes.
- Low grade or non-existent floor coverings.
- Small kitchens featuring only the minimum requirements for function; with limited cabinetry and countertop space; and low-grade or non-existent appliances.
- Bathrooms that are limited in size and number and feature only the minimum requirements for function; limited or no cabinetry; and low-grade plumbing fixtures.		 - Limited windows and doorways, constructed of lower-grade materials and featuring minimal or no trim and finish.
- Basic roof design, usually low-pitch and single roofline; may possess inconsistent rooflines if additions are present; features low-grade or alternate roof materials.
- Exterior walls constructed using economy or low-grade materials and featuring minimal corners; usually a basic rectangular shape.