What is a Property Valuer

Property Valuation is a registered professional occupation; like law, accounting, engineering, etc.
Professional Property Valuers are called upon to perform valuation and related property tasks in both the public and private sectors. These include the valuation of government, corporate and private fixed assets, various property transactions including rentals, sales, expropriations, rating valuations, developments, mortgage and finance solutions, etc.
All fixed property types are covered including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, specialised, etc.; for both leasehold and freehold or any other legal interest.

Professional Valuers in South Africa are governed by legislation in terms of the Property Valuations Act under the umbrella of the Built Environment Act, which encompasses, structural engineers, land surveyors, architects, valuers, etc.

In terms of this Act, it is criminal offence for any unregistered person to provide valuation services; thereby essentially acting under the false pretence of being a certified Valuer.

While consumers are accustomed to estate agents assisting with property assessments, particularly with residential homes; the fact is that estate agents are not professionally qualified and registered to perform this role. Estate agents are marketers and negotiators - NOT valuers.
Any court of law places no emphasis whatsoever on any property valuation which has not been performed by a registered professional valuer or professional associated valuer.

Interestingly, a recent Australian study found that, of the sellers who get an independent professional valuation, nearly 90% sell their properties in a shorter time and most get a little more than the valuation, some a little less. So prudent individual buyers and sellers are discovering what corporates and institutions have long been aware of, and increasingly calling upon valuers to determine accurate, impartial market values for all property types and purposes.