Real estate is to be assessed and valued according to Tax-Property Article §8-102, and 103. Value is estimated as of a certain specified time, January 1, the date of finality. Value is understood to mean market value; that is the most probable price which a property will sell for under normal market conditions. Those conditions are based upon the concept of an open and competitive market transaction which is free of duress. The Appraisal Foundation's definition of market value can be found in "The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal". , Third Edition as follows:]

Market value is the most probable price which a specified interest in real property is likely to bring under all of the following conditions:

1. Consummation of a sale as of a specified time.
2. Open and competitive market for the property interest appraised.
3. Buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably.
4. Price not affected by undue stimulus.
5. Buyer and seller typically motivated.
6. Both parties acting in what they consider to be their best interests.
7. Adequate marketing efforts made and a reasonable time allowed for exposure in the open market.
8. Payment made in cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto.
9. Price represents the normal consideration for the property sold, unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.

This definition should be contrasted with definitions given for "Disposition Value". and "Liquidation Value". in order to gain meaning. Disposition value is applied in situations where there is a shorter period of time allowed to sell the property than the normal reasonable marketing period. Liquidation value reflects a situation where there is a forced sale. These definitions are also as published in "The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal". , Third Edition.

The more that the sales of properties conform to the definition of market value, the more relevant the sales will be as an indication of what other similar properties might sell for.

Disposition value is the most probable price which a specified interest in real property is likely to bring under all of the following conditions:

1. Consummation of a sale within a limited future marketing period specified by the client.
2. Current actual market conditions for the property interest appraised.
3. Buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably.
4. Seller under compulsion to sell.
5. Buyer typically motivated.
6. Both parties acting in what they consider their best interest.
7. Adequate marketing effort made for the limited time allowed for completion of a sale.
8. Payment made in cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto.
9. Price represents the normal consideration for the property sold, unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.

Liquidation value is the most probable price which a specified interest in real property is likely to bring under all of the following conditions.

1. Consummation of a sale within a severely limited future marketing period specified by the client.
2. Current actual market conditions for the property interest appraised.
3. Buyer acting prudently and knowledgeably.
4. Seller under extreme compulsion to sell.
5. Buyer typically motivated.
6. Buyer acting in what he/she considers his/her best interests.
7. Limited marketing effort made and limited time allowed for completion of sale.
8. Payment made in cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto.
9. Price represents the normal consideration for the property sold, unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.