Types of Property Valuation Explained: Desktop, Full Inspection, Commercial & Agribusiness
Every valuation follows the same evidence-based process — but which one you need depends on your property and your purpose. Here's what separates each type.
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Types of Property Valuation Explained: Desktop, Full Inspection, Commercial & Agribusiness
Every valuation follows the same evidence-based process — but which one you need depends on your property and your purpose. Here's what separates each type.
Download PDF — Types of Property Valuation Explained: Desktop, Full Inspection, Commercial & Agribusiness (opens in a new tab)If you've never ordered a property valuation before, the range of options can be confusing — desktop, full inspection, commercial, agribusiness, and more. The right one depends on two things: what kind of property you have, and what you need the valuation for. Getting this wrong can mean paying for more than you need, or worse, ending up with a report that isn't accepted for the purpose you needed it for.
At a glance
| Product | Property type | Inspection | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop Value Assessment | Residential | No physical inspection | A quick, indicative view of value — not suitable for CGT, tax, SMSF or legal purposes |
| Full Inspection Valuation | Residential | Physical inspection | CGT, mortgage security, family law, and other formal purposes |
| Commercial Valuation | Office, retail, industrial & specialised assets | Physical inspection | CGT, financial reporting, disputes, and higher-value or income-producing assets |
| Agribusiness Valuation | Rural, farming & agribusiness land | Physical inspection (land & improvements) | Rural finance, succession planning, tax and SMSF, compensation claims |
Desktop Value Assessment
An accredited residential valuer assesses your property using available property information, comparable sales and local market evidence, then prepares a report without physically inspecting the property.
- •Prepared by an accredited residential valuer without a physical inspection
- •Based on available property information and relevant market evidence
- •Written report setting out an indicative value opinion, assumptions and limitations
Because there's no inspection, a Desktop Value Assessment is faster and lower cost than a Full Inspection Valuation — but it can only reflect what's visible in public records and available data. Renovations, defects, or improvements that haven't been formally recorded won't be captured, and it's generally not suitable for CGT, tax, SMSF or other formal legal purposes, where independent, inspected evidence is expected.
Full Inspection Valuation
An accredited residential valuer physically inspects your property and prepares a detailed valuation report supported by local market evidence.
- •Physical inspection by an accredited residential valuer
- •Assessment of the property and relevant market evidence as at the agreed valuation date
- •Valuation report setting out the valuer's opinion, reasoning, assumptions and limitations
The inspection is what sets this apart: the valuer verifies the property's actual condition, layout and improvements in person, rather than relying on what's publicly recorded. This is the standard generally expected for CGT, mortgage security, family law, and other matters where the report needs to hold up to scrutiny.
Commercial Valuation
An accredited commercial specialist valuer physically inspects your property and prepares a detailed valuation report tailored to the asset and its purpose.
- •Physical inspection by an accredited commercial specialist valuer
- •Assessment of the asset and relevant market evidence as at the agreed valuation date
- •Valuation report tailored to the agreed purpose, with reasoning, assumptions and limitations
Commercial assets — office, retail, industrial, and specialised properties like childcare or hospitality venues — are valued differently to residential property, since income, lease terms, tenant strength and asset-specific factors typically drive value more than comparable sales alone. A commercial specialist valuer brings the sector-specific expertise this requires.
Agribusiness Valuation
An accredited agribusiness specialist valuer physically inspects your property, including its land and improvements, and prepares a detailed valuation report tailored to the asset and its purpose.
- •Physical inspection by an accredited agribusiness specialist valuer
- •Assessment of the land, improvements and relevant market evidence as at the agreed valuation date
- •Valuation report tailored to the agreed purpose, with reasoning, assumptions and limitations
Rural and agribusiness property is valued against its productive capacity — carrying capacity, crop yields, water entitlements and improvements — benchmarked against regional sales and district conditions, rather than residential-style comparable sales. This makes specialist rural valuation experience essential to an accurate, defensible figure.
How to choose the right valuation type
Start with the property type, then the purpose:
- •Residential property, informal purpose (a general sense of value, preliminary planning) → Desktop Value Assessment
- •Residential property, formal purpose (CGT, mortgage security, legal matters) → Full Inspection Valuation
- •Office, retail, industrial or specialised asset → Commercial Valuation
- •Farming, rural or agribusiness land → Agribusiness Valuation
If you're not sure which applies to your situation, it's worth checking with your valuer or your accountant before ordering — the wrong product can mean redoing the valuation later, which costs more time and money than getting it right the first time.
Guide disclaimer: General information only. This does not constitute financial, legal or taxation advice. Product suitability depends on your specific property and purpose — your local valuer can help confirm the right option before you order.
FAQs
A desktop assessment is prepared without visiting the property, using available data and comparable sales, while a full inspection involves an accredited valuer physically assessing the property's condition and improvements in person. The inspection is what makes a full valuation suitable for formal purposes like CGT, where a desktop assessment generally isn't accepted.
