In which scenario would the income approach be least applicable?

The income approach is a method of property valuation that estimates the value based on the income generated by the property. It is particularly applicable to income-producing properties, where rental income can be forecasted and capitalized to arrive at the valuation.

In the context of residential properties like a single-family residence, the income approach is typically less relevant. This is primarily because single-family homes are often not purchased as income-generating investments, and their value is more commonly determined by comparable sales and market trends rather than income potential. Buyers of single-family homes are usually more focused on personal use rather than investment income, making methods like the sales comparison approach more applicable.

In contrast, properties such as rental apartment complexes, office buildings, and shopping malls are explicitly designed for generating income. These types of properties have well-established revenue streams and are frequently bought and sold based on their income-producing capabilities, which makes the income approach highly suitable for them. Therefore, a single-family residence stands out as the scenario where the income approach would be least applicable.