Effective age, in relation to a building's physical condition, is estimated by a:

Effective age refers to the age of a property as determined by its condition and the quality of its maintenance rather than its actual chronological age. An effective age assessment takes into consideration factors such as improvements, upgrades, and the overall state of the property, which may differ significantly from the property's actual age.

An appraiser is the professional who performs a comprehensive analysis of a property’s condition and determines its effective age. Appraisers have the expertise to evaluate a building's features, deferred maintenance, and other relevant factors that influence its perceived age. They consider these aspects as part of the overall appraisal process to establish the market value of the property. Their assessment can significantly affect valuation and financing decisions.

Other professionals such as home inspectors, real estate agents, and contractors may provide valuable insights into a property's condition and general maintenance issues, but they do not have the specialized training and responsibility that appraisers do in assessing effective age for valuation purposes. This makes the appraiser the most appropriate answer for this question.