In property evaluation, what does depreciation represent?

Depreciation in property evaluation represents a reduction in asset value over time. This concept is fundamental in real estate and property management because it accounts for the wear and tear, obsolescence, and other factors that contribute to a property's declining value. Various forms of depreciation, such as physical deterioration, functional obsolescence, and economic obsolescence, can impact how an asset is valued in the marketplace. Understanding depreciation allows property managers and appraisers to make more accurate assessments of a property's worth, factoring in its physical condition and relevance in its market context.

The other options do not accurately define depreciation. An increase in property value does not align with the concept of depreciation, as depreciation specifically indicates a loss of value. A fixed cost of maintenance refers to expenses necessary to keep a property functioning, rather than its value decreasing over time. Additional income generated from property sales is unrelated to the concept of depreciation, which focuses solely on the reduction of asset value rather than income generation.