Which of the following is an example of how external factors can affect property assessments?

The selection of a decline in neighborhood safety ratings as an example of how external factors can affect property assessments is correct because safety ratings directly influence the desirability of an area. When safety ratings decrease, it often leads to a drop in property values as potential buyers may be less willing to invest in homes located in less safe neighborhoods. This perceived risk and lower demand can ultimately be reflected in a negative adjustment for property assessments in that area.

Other factors such as weather and property landscaping do not typically influence long-term property value in the same way. While weather may have short-term impacts, it is not a consistent external factor affecting property assessments. Improvements in landscaping generally pertain to the condition and appeal of a specific property rather than external neighborhood factors. The average home age, while relevant for property assessment, primarily relates to the characteristics and depreciation of individual homes rather than broader external influences on property values.