5 Qualities to Look for in a Property Valuation Expert

Key Takeaways:

• How to Choose a Dependable Property Valuer
  • Ensure the valuer is licensed by recognised bodies like IRAS or SISV.
  • Look for strong familiarity with neighbourhood trends, URA plans, and zoning laws.
  • Ask for sample reports to assess how thoroughly they evaluate key property features.
  • Choose someone who provides unbiased, evidence-based assessments.
  • Ensure the valuer can clearly explain their findings and tailor reports to your business needs

Introduction

Selecting the right property valuation expert is crucial to the success of high-stakes real estate decisions. From managing acquisitions, divestments, and lease negotiations to conducting portfolio reviews, partnering with a certified property valuer helps ensure an up-to-date and unbiased property assessment.

The question is, what are the essential qualities to look for when engaging a trusted expert? Let’s find out in this article.

What are the Key Things to Look For?

1. Is the Valuer Properly Licensed and Accredited?

Before anything else, confirm that your valuation professional holds the right credentials. In Singapore, legitimate property valuers should be accredited by recognised bodies like the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV). Always request to see proof of licensing and check if the firm is listed in IRAS’s registry of valuers.

A licensed appraiser is bound by a strict code of ethics and regulatory standards. This means they must act with integrity, impartiality, and transparency. In addition, their findings are expected to be defensible in legal, financial, and regulatory contexts, while ensuring the reports are valuable for court proceedings, tax declarations, and other purposes.

2. Do They Have Strong Local Market Knowledge?

Generic property valuation in Singapore may not be sufficient in Singapore’s complex property landscape. Reliable appraisals depend heavily on local property market analysis—from recent comparable transactions and neighbourhood pricing trends to zoning regulations and development plans.

A good property valuation expert will have their finger on the pulse of local changes, including URA masterplans, land use policies, and infrastructure upgrades that impact valuation. Their understanding of micro-markets within Singapore gives you an edge in strategic planning and negotiations. So, look for those with a strong portfolio in your asset class.

3. Are They Detail-Oriented?

Valuation isn’t just about square footage and postcode. A top-tier certified property valuer takes a 360-degree view of the asset, carefully evaluating a wide range of factors:

• Renovation quality
• Building orientation
• Floor plan efficiency
• Remaining lease tenure (for HDB or leasehold properties)

To gauge a property valuation professional’s attention to detail, request sample reports. Reviewing these documents allows you to assess the depth of their inspections and analyses, ensuring that no critical value drivers have been overlooked.

4. Do They Uphold Impartiality and Integrity?

In high-stakes transactions, especially those involving financial institutions or legal proceedings, an unbiased property assessment is key. The ideal property valuation expert is someone who upholds strict neutrality, offering evidence-based conclusions but not external pressure or client expectations. 

This is especially important in situations such as divorce settlements, estate planning, or corporate asset declarations. An unbiased property assessment ensures fairness, prevents disputes, and stands up to scrutiny by courts, auditors, or stakeholders.