A valuer using the comparable sales method is not required to quantify individual adjustments where there is no sales evidence to support quantification and the valuer relies on professional judgment making qualitative assessments. However, the valuer must disclose the process of reasoning sufficiently to enable conclusions to be tested. Market demand may be a factor of equal or greater weight than zoning in determining highest and best use, and sales in a different planning zone may be comparable where market demand does not support development to the maximum permitted by the subject land's zoning. A trial judge must form a positive opinion as to the correctness of an accepted valuation and cannot avoid that task simply because the opposing expert evidence has been rejected.
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