Buyers sometimes assume an agent’s estimate and a formal valuation are roughly the same thing. They are not, and the difference matters if you are relying on a number for a lending, legal or tax purpose.
A real estate agent’s appraisal is generally an informal opinion of likely sale price, based on their market knowledge and comparable recent sales. It is useful for getting a general sense of price, but it is not an independent or certified assessment, and agents have a commercial interest in the property selling.
A certified or practising property valuer is an independent professional, often required to hold specific qualifications and registration depending on the state, who provides a formal valuation based on a defined methodology. Valuations are typically required for mortgage lending, legal matters such as estate settlements or family law proceedings, and some tax purposes. A valuer has no commercial interest in whether the property sells or for how much.
The two roles can overlap in the sense that both draw on comparable sales data and market knowledge, but only a formal valuation carries the independence and methodology that a bank, court or tax authority typically requires.
Narevella is not a licensed valuer and does not provide certified valuations. Where a genuine valuation is needed, that is a job for an appropriately qualified, independent valuer. Our Property Review service can help you understand the general factual picture around a property, which can be a useful starting point before you engage a valuer for anything formal.
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