Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What is meant by 'frontage' in real estate terminology?

1. Length of property along water bodies

2. Distance of a property from a road

3. Width of the land parcel

4. Length of property along a street or waterfront

The correct answer is: Length of property along a street or waterfront

In real estate terminology, 'frontage' refers specifically to the length of a property that borders a street, driveway, or body of water, which makes it a crucial factor in property valuation and development. The concept of frontage is important because it often influences not only the property's accessibility but also its potential for visibility and attractiveness to buyers or renters. A property with a greater frontage along a busy street, for instance, might garner higher traffic and interest, positively impacting its market value. While other choices address aspects related to properties, they do not encapsulate the full extent of what 'frontage' means. For example, the length of property along water bodies specifies a certain kind of frontage but does not wholly represent how frontage applies in broader contexts, such as along streets. Similarly, the distance from a road or the width of a land parcel does not give an accurate representation of the property's line along any border, which is the essence of 'frontage.' Therefore, the correct understanding of 'frontage' is best captured by the definition that includes its relationship to both streets and waterfronts, making it a critical element for appraisers and real estate professionals to consider.