Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you need a property valuation?

A property valuation report provides an accurate, fair market value of the subject property, and the equity it holds. Understanding the property’s worth is essential for informing decisions and can help reduce risk.

A property valuation is a legally certified document, adhering to legislative requirements for various official purposes. Only certified valuers can provide comprehensive, sworn property valuation reports that remain completely independent and free from any kind of bias.

Whatever the individual circumstances, having an independent property valuation firm provide your valuation report ensures you have all information you need regarding the property, supported by in depth market research and facts.

Why get a property valuation over a real estate appraisal?

An independent property valuation is conducted by a certified valuer who will comprehensively research and provide a legal valuation report without any kind of agenda.

On the other hand, real estate appraisals are often biased and can only offer an estimated price based on what is believed the property can sell for. As such, real estate appraisals should only ever be used as an approximation at best and do not hold any legal standing.

A property valuation is a certified document with an accurate representation of the property’s value. As such, you are guaranteed the determined value is based on evidence and supported research conducted by an industry expert.

What is the role of a certified property valuer?

A certified property valuer is tasked with performing independent objective valuations across residential, commercial and industrial property types. As an expert within their local market, a certified property valuer is able to complete valuations for a number of specialised purposes, such as ensuring compliancy with government bodies or legal requirements.

Gaining their accreditation through the Australian Property Institute (API), a certified property valuer must have tertiary qualifications, and a minimum of two years industry experience. This means they will have both extensive education and hands-on experience ensuring high quality, professional standards and reliable valuations.

What are the benefits of using a certified property valuer?

Seeking out the services of a certified property valuer guarantees complete accuracy, professionalism and transparency with every report. This is because a certified property valuer is an industry educated and trained professional registered with the Australian Property Institute (API).

A certified property valuer provides a specialised service within the property industry to perform an independent valuation for clients without conflict of interest. As such, only a certified property valuer has the qualifications to undertake comprehensive due diligence and analysis of an extensive range of factors while adhering to governing legislation.

What is the difference between a bank valuation and a property valuation?

While a bank valuation and a property valuation both seek to determine the value of the subject property, they each have a very different purpose.

A bank valuation is sought out by the lender to determine the level of risk in approving a loan, and to ensure loan security.

Bank valuations tend to be more conservative because the lender has the agenda of minimising their risk should the loan be defaulted.

On the other hand, an independent property valuation aims to determine its market value based on the objective analysis of a variety of factors.

A certified property valuation is conducted by a qualified and experienced independent valuer with exclusive expertise in their local property market. This guarantees complete objectivity, transparency and a professional approach towards each property valuation without conflict or bias.

How do our property valuers calculate value?

The calculation of a property’s value is determined by the utilisation of three methodologies standardised by the Australian Property Institute (API):

Direct Comparison Methodology:

The property valuer will use this methodology to compare and analyse over 200 variables between the subject property and comparable properties in its local market. This is the most utilised methodology when calculating value.

The Summation Methodology:

This methodology is exclusively utilised by API certified property valuers. The property valuer will use this as an ancillary check to determine replacement cost value using the depreciation of improvements against the subject property’s land value.

Capitalisation of Net Income:

This methodology can be used as a supplement to the direct comparison and summation methodologies and is reserved for commercial properties. The property valuer will take the net rental income of the subject property and capitalise this rate using comparable sales to determine its value.