The problem of designating elementary terrains for the purpose of Szczecin algorithm of real estate mass appraisal

One of the key determinants of the quality of real estate mass appraisal is the algorithm used for conducting such an appraisal. Other determinants include detailed methodological and substantive solutions within the scope of a selected, applied algorithm. This article is dedicated to one of the major stages of the process of land real estate mass appraisal with the use of the Szczecin Algorithm of Real Estate Mass Appraisal (SAREMA), namely defining and determining the so-called elementary terrains. The paper aims to present the methods for designating the boundaries of elementary terrains, the manner of defining their number and size and, consequently, the number of real properties that will be covered by an automated process of mass appraisal in a given area. Ways of defining the boundaries of elementary terrains were proposed in the paper based on the existing surveying districts, zoning plans, background maps, thematic map layers, real estate market analyses as well as statistical methods. Elementary terrain boundaries thus designated were verified with the use of actual real estate resources of the city of Szczecin.