Registered valuation

A registered valuation is a formal written assessment of a property's market value, prepared by a registered valuer who has inspected the property.

How it differs from the alternatives

• Rating valuation (RV/CV) — mass-appraisal model, no inspection, updated every few years
• Real estate agent's appraisal — free, indicative, and prepared by someone with an interest in winning the listing or making the sale
• Registered valuation — independent, inspected, professionally liable, and the only one banks generally accept

When investors need one

• When a lender requires it, particularly at higher LVR, for equity releases or for non-standard properties
• To confirm a value after renovation, when releasing equity
• For relationship property, estate or partnership matters
• Where a dispute needs an independent figure

What to know before ordering

• Most lenders require the valuation be ordered through their panel — a valuation you commission yourself may not be accepted. Check first.
• Valuations have a shelf life, commonly around three months for lending.
• Expect to pay several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on property type and location.

Common misunderstanding

A valuation is an opinion, not a fact. Two valuers can reach different figures. Valuers are generally conservative, particularly for lending purposes, and post-renovation valuations frequently disappoint investors who counted on a specific uplift.

Never build a renovation plan around an assumed valuation. Model it conservatively and treat any excess as upside.

Related terms

Last reviewed: 1 August 2026 · ---

← Back to the Glossary