Valuation Guide

When and Why Should I Get a Property Valuation?

Whether you're a first home buyer just browsing, ready to make an offer, an experienced seller, or an investor planning your next move—getting the right valuation at the right time can save money, reduce risk, and unlock opportunities.

For First Home Buyers For Experienced Buyers & Sellers For Investors

All valuations prepared by API / AVI certified valuers • Australia-wide • Transparent pricing

Quick Picks
Basic Quick estimate for browsing Desktop Reported value for decisions Certified Formal, lender-accepted
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AU-English • Fast turnaround • Transparent pricing

Jump to: First Home Buyers · Experienced Buyers & Sellers · Investors · Compare Products · FAQ

For First Home Buyers

Buying your first place is exciting—and a bit daunting. A valuation helps you avoid overpaying and fast-tracks finance approval.

When
  • When you're browsing and want realistic price guides
  • Before making an offer to confirm value aligns with your budget
  • When your lender may accept a valuation to speed approval
Why
  • Avoid overpaying in competitive markets
  • Understand deposit, LVR, and borrowing power against true value
  • Gain confidence to negotiate or walk away
Basic I'm just looking—give me a quick estimate Desktop I'm close to buying—show me a report with data

Tip: Use a Desktop valuation to sanity-check the price before you commit. First home buyers may also be eligible for government grants—check the First Home Super Saver Scheme (ATO).

Which type suits you?
Basic Fast estimate

Great for learning the market while browsing suburbs and shortlisting properties.

Desktop Report & supporting data

Ideal before offers—evidence you can rely on for negotiations and finance discussions.

Certified Formal valuation

Required when a lender or adviser needs a full, bank-grade report with physical inspection.

Start with your postcode

For Experienced Buyers & Sellers

You know timing matters. A fresh independent valuation keeps decisions sharp—and emotions in check.

When
  • Before listing to set the right asking price
  • Before purchasing to negotiate confidently
  • When refinancing or restructuring loans
Why
  • Evidence-based pricing reduces costly missteps
  • Independent view counters anchoring and bias
  • Recognised by agents, advisers, and lenders
Desktop Fast insights for pricing & negotiation Certified Formal, lender-accepted report

Property transfers in NSW? Check Revenue NSW Transfer Duty requirements to understand when an independent valuation is required.

Recommended Path
  1. Get a Desktop Valuation to set expectations quickly.
  2. Upgrade to Certified when a bank-grade report is required.
Learn about Desktop Learn about Certified

Tip: Use Desktop early to shape your pricing and marketing strategy.

For Property Investors

Track performance, unlock equity, and plan the next acquisition with clear, current valuations.

When
  • Assessing equity to fund your next purchase
  • Refinancing across a portfolio
  • Annual performance reviews and SMSF compliance
Why
  • Reveal untapped equity and borrowing capacity
  • Benchmark properties against market movement
  • Support tax, SMSF, and wealth strategies
Desktop Portfolio checks & quick equity insights Certified For lender acceptance & formal needs

For tax planning, see the ATO guide on residential rental properties and CGT and investment property. SMSF investors should visit our dedicated SMSF Valuation page.

Equity Snapshot

Not sure where to start? Run a Desktop valuation on each property to build a simple equity view, then certify only where required.

Build my equity view

Also useful for:

The Bottom Line

  • Just browsing? Choose Basic for a quick estimate.
  • About to buy or sell? Use Desktop for fast, data-backed confidence.
  • Need lender acceptance? Go Certified for a formal, bank-grade report.
  • SMSF or estate? Choose the SMSF or Estate valuation product.
Ready to get started?

Enter a property address to see options and turnaround times.

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Transparent pricing • Australia-wide network

Compare Valuation Products

All valuations are prepared by API or AVI certified valuers.

Feature Basic From $20 Desktop From $189 Certified From $550
Turnaround Instant Next business day 3–5 business days
Full Written Report No Yes Yes
Comparable Sales Evidence No Yes (3–5 comps) Yes
Physical Inspection No No Yes
ATO CGT Compliant No Yes Yes
Lender / Bank Accepted No Many lenders Yes
Retrospective Dates No Yes Yes
SMSF Audit Compliant No No Yes (with SMSF product)
Best For Browsing / estimate Buying, selling, tax Mortgage, legal, court

Certified valuations meet ATO CGT evidentiary standards and Revenue NSW s. 272 transfer duty requirements.

✓

API & AVI Certified Valuers

📋

ATO & Lender Accepted Reports

⚡

Next-Day Turnaround

🔒

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

A Basic valuation gives you a single market value estimate instantly—great for browsing or sanity-checking a price guide. A Desktop valuation produces a full written report with comparable sales evidence and a registered valuer's certification, accepted by many lenders and advisers. A Certified valuation includes a physical site inspection and is the bank-grade report required for formal lending, legal, and court purposes. All products are prepared by API or AVI certified valuers.

Many lenders accept hovr Certified valuations for mortgage applications, refinancing, and equity release. Desktop valuations are widely used for decision-making and negotiations. If your lender specifically requires a formal full or kerbside valuation, choose Certified. When in doubt, check with your broker first—or contact us and we can advise on the right product.

Yes. A Desktop or Certified valuation can document your cost base at the relevant CGT event date—for example, when you first rented out your home, inherited a property, or at a date of acquisition where original records are incomplete. A formally dated valuation report is the most defensible evidence for the ATO. This is general information only—consult your accountant for advice specific to your situation.

Not for Basic or Desktop valuations—these are conducted remotely using market data, comparable sales, and property records, so no access is required. A Certified valuation includes a physical site inspection; we will coordinate access with you or the agent after your order is placed.

Basic valuations are near-instant. Desktop valuations are typically delivered the next business day. Certified valuations depend on the property, location, and inspection scheduling—you will see an indicative turnaround estimate at checkout. All reports are delivered electronically.

Yes. Specify your required effective date when placing your order. Our valuers assess the property using historical comparable sales and market data for that period. Retrospective valuations are commonly ordered for property inheritance, change-of-use events, estate administration, and CGT cost-base determination. The report clearly states the nominated valuation date.

Yes—hovr has a dedicated SMSF Valuation product that includes an explicit SISR Regulation 8.02B compliance statement and a rental income assessment, which SMSF auditors require for annual fund reporting. A standard Desktop valuation does not include these elements.