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Which source is least likely to provide reliable data for property appraisals?

  1. Official government records

  2. Property tax assessor lists

  3. Personal social media posts

  4. Real estate listings

The correct answer is: Personal social media posts

The option that is least likely to provide reliable data for property appraisals is personal social media posts. This is because social media content can vary widely in accuracy, reliability, and credibility. Personal posts are often subjective, lack verification, and may contain outdated or misleading information that is not conducive to making sound appraisal decisions. In contrast, official government records, property tax assessor lists, and real estate listings are generally considered reliable sources because they are typically maintained by authoritative entities. Government records include property deeds, tax information, and zoning classifications that are legally binding and regularly updated. Property tax assessor lists offer objective data regarding property values assessed by professionals. Real estate listings can provide current market-data, descriptions of properties, and sale prices that are directly reflective of market conditions at a given time. Each of these sources is structured to serve as an accurate reflection of real estate values and trends, making them far more dependable than personal social media posts.