Valuation Methods in Mixed-Use Real Estate Investment

In the context of Real Estate Investment, understanding various valuation methods is crucial for making informed investment decisions. You are managing a real estate investment fund and are tasked with evaluating a potential acquisition of a mixed-use development property, which includes retail, residential, and office spaces. Your analysis should encompass the following valuation methods: the Income Approach, the Sales Comparison Approach, and the Cost Approach.

Please discuss each method in detail, including how prevailing market conditions might affect the chosen valuation approach and the specific challenges associated with each method in the context of mixed-use real estate. Additionally, compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and provide insights into which method would likely yield the most accurate valuation for this particular property under current market trends.