INSIGHT

CRE valuation vs CRE appraisal: Which service does your property need? 

Zac R. Blechman, Kemp Moyer • July 11, 2025

Services: Commercial real estate valuation Industries: Real Estate

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When you’re buying, selling or refinancing commercial real estate, determining accurate property worth becomes critical to your success. You face an important decision: do you need a valuation, an appraisal, or both services for your commercial property transaction? 

Many commercial property owners use these terms interchangeably, but significant differences exist between commercial real estate valuations and appraisals. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right service for your specific needs and budget.  

CRE valuation vs CRE appraisal 

This article examines the key differences between CRE valuations and appraisals, explores when you need each service and guides you toward making informed decisions for your commercial property investments. 

What defines a commercial real estate appraisal? 

A commercial real estate appraisal provides an objective assessment of your property’s market value, conducted by licensed, certified appraisers who follow strict industry standards. These professionals complete extensive training and maintain state licenses that qualify them to produce narrative appraisals that comply to specific standards. 

The appraisal process follows a comprehensive methodology that begins with identifying the purpose and scope of your assignment. To determine a property value the licensed appraiser will: 

• Physically inspect the property 
• Examine property characteristics
• Analyze market conditions  
• Determine the highest and best use of the property 
• Research comparable sales and leases  
• Complete multiple approaches to value  
• Reconcile to a final value  

Licensed appraisers must adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), which establishes ethical guidelines and performance standards for the profession. This regulatory framework ensures consistency, reliability, and legal acceptance of appraisal reports across different markets and jurisdictions. 

Commercial appraisals typically take several weeks to complete, depending on property complexity and data availability. The final report includes detailed analysis, supporting documentation and professional conclusions that courts, lenders and regulatory agencies accept as credible evidence of property value.   

When you need appraisals for commercial properties 

• Lenders require formal appraisals for most commercial real estate financing transactions, including purchases, refinancing and construction loans.  
• Financial institutions require formal appraisals to satisfy regulatory requirements such as FIRREA and protect their investment interests. 
• Estate planning and tax purposes also mandate formal appraisals. In this instance, the Internal Revenue Service requires ‘qualified appraisals’ for gift and estate tax calculations, charitable contributions, other tax-related property transfers, 
• Insurance companies often require appraisals to establish coverage limits and settle claims accurately. 
• Legal proceedings, including divorce settlements, partnership dissolutions and eminent domain cases, typically require appraisals to establish property values. Courts accept these appraisals as credible evidence because of their adherence to recognized standards and methodologies. 
• Investors seeking to establish baseline values for individual properties within a larger real estate portfolio to document their individual holdings accurately. These appraisals provide concluded values for financial reporting, partnership agreements and investment analysis purposes. 

How commercial real estate valuations differ from appraisals 

Commercial real estate valuations provide value conclusions with less narrative and a more streamlined approach compared to traditional commercial real estate appraisals. Additionally, certain types of valuations do not require licensing. Real estate professionals, analysts and property consultants can perform valuations using various methodologies tailored to your specific business needs. 

These assessments typically cost less than formal appraisals and require shorter completion timeframes. However, valuations carry limitations in their acceptable uses and may not satisfy legal or regulatory requirements that mandate certified appraisals. 

The informal nature of valuations makes them suitable for internal decision-making, preliminary assessments, and strategic planning purposes. You can use valuations to evaluate acquisition opportunities, set asking prices, or determine renovation investments without the expense and time commitment of formal appraisals. 

When valuations serve your commercial property needs 

• Property owners use valuations for preliminary market assessments when considering potential transactions. These evaluations help you understand general market positioning without committing to the expense of formal appraisals.    
• Strategic planning benefits from valuation services when evaluating multiple properties or investment scenarios. The flexible methodology allows analysts to customize approaches based on your specific investment criteria and decision-making requirements. 
• Sellers often commission valuations to establish realistic asking prices and marketing strategies. These assessments provide market insights that help position properties competitively without the detailed analysis required for formal appraisals. 
• Property management decisions, including renovation investments and lease negotiations, benefit from valuation analysis. Understanding potential returns and market positioning helps you make informed decisions about capital improvements and tenant arrangements. 

Making the right choice for your commercial property 

Your intended use determines whether you need a valuation or formal appraisal for your commercial property. Lender requirements, legal proceedings and tax purposes typically mandate formal appraisals, while internal decision-making and preliminary assessments often benefit from more flexible valuation services. 

Consider your timeline and budget when choosing between these services. Formal appraisals require more time and cost significantly more than valuations, but they provide legally defensible conclusions that satisfy regulatory requirements. 

The complexity of your property and transaction also influences your choice. Unique properties or complex ownership structures may benefit from the detailed analysis that formal appraisals provide, while straightforward properties might only require valuation assessments. 

Working with BPM for your commercial real estate needs 

BPM understands the critical importance of accurate property valuations in commercial real estate transactions. Our team provides comprehensive guidance to help you determine whether your situation requires formal appraisals or valuation services, ensuring you receive appropriate analysis for your specific needs and budget. 

Our integrated CRE valuation approach combines financial analysis, tax planning and transaction support to maximize the value of your property investments. To discuss your specific requirements and learn how our comprehensive real estate services can support your investment success, contact us.