This is a landmine of a question that I’m forced to tiptoe around. The reason is that property valuation can be opaque, to put it lightly. Some industry experts will tell you it’s based on “Comparative Market Analysis supported by industry valuation standards and professional guidelines.” Other, more disgruntled experts will tell you it’s based on the valuer grabbing a crystal ball, and pretending to be a wizard. But even if we close an eye to the methods of valuation, there’s no denying one major issue for home buyers and sellers: property valuations have a big impact on loan financing, and this has led many to suggest it’s nothing more than a way to get a bigger home loan. There’s a grain of truth in that, but the process is not just some con job either. Here’s the nuanced reality of what goes on: To understand the importance of this issue, let’s first clarify the role of property valuation in your home loan   ...