Under the principle of consistent use, the correct approach is to:

• A. Use a single, consistent use for both land and improvements
• B. Allocate separate uses to land and improvements
• C. Ignore the highest and best use concept
• D. Value only the land

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that property value should be based on one, unified use for the whole property. In valuation, you choose a single use scenario and apply it to both the land and any existing or planned improvements. This keeps the assumptions consistent and avoids distortions that come from valuing land under one use and improvements under a different use.

If you tried to allocate separate uses to land and improvements, you’d be mixing assumptions, which can lead to misleading conclusions about value because the inputs and expectations wouldn’t align. Ignoring the highest and best use concept would skip a fundamental step in determining the most appropriate single use for the property, and valuing only the land ignores the value contributed by improvements under the chosen use.