Donna Dewar, MBA, PMP
Chief Executive Officer,
Appraisal Institute of Canada
In an uncertain housing market, professional appraisals protect homeowners from risk — whether renovating, refinancing, or preparing for extreme weather.
In uncertain economic times, protecting your home means understanding the true value of your property and the risks that could impact it. Whether you’re renovating, refinancing, or simply planning ahead, knowing your home’s value is a critical foundation for financial security and peace of mind.
That’s where the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and its Professional Appraisers (P. App.) play a vital role.
With higher interest rates, varying market fluctuations, rising insurance premiums, and growing climate-related risks, Canadians need reliable information to make sound real estate decisions. An AIC-designated appraiser provides independent, expert opinions on a property’s market value — before or after a renovation, prior to buying or selling, or when accessing equity.
Financial literacy begins with knowing what your home is really worth
Appraisers don’t sell properties, represent buyers, or make lending decisions. They protect. By providing a clear view of a home’s value, appraisers help consumers avoid overpaying, overborrowing, or under-preparing. With no vested interest in the outcome of a transaction, they deliver professional and independent analysis that protects homeowners, lenders, and insurers. Their independent valuations help prevent fraud, reduce risk, and support informed, evidence-based decisions rather than speculation or financial incentives.
Understanding how property valuation works is a key part of financial literacy — and financial literacy protects your home, your investment, and your future. Yet today, accurate valuations are at risk. Appraisals are increasingly being replaced by automated valuation models (AVMs) that prioritize speed and cost over accuracy and often miss key details, such as the quality of recent upgrades, deferred maintenance, real-time market trends, and the nuances of a specific neighbourhood. A full, in-person professional appraisal can mean the difference between a sound investment and a costly mistake.
Homeowners have the right to ask questions, seek their own appraisal when appropriate, and ensure that they fully understand the implications of their property’s value — especially in a volatile market. AIC-designated appraisers can help, bringing expert insight where algorithms often fall short.
Not just renovation questions — these are property value questions
As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather, appraisers are playing a growing role in climate risk awareness. Is your home in a floodplain? Does it have an aging roof or poor insulation? Is a future buyer likely to view that basement as a bonus — or a liability? These aren’t just renovation questions — they’re property value questions. In a housing market marked by volatility and complexity, the best protection is knowledge.
Whether you’re planning renovations, assessing climate risk, navigating an insurance claim, refinancing your mortgage, or simply seeking clarity and confidence in your next real estate decision, working with a Professional Appraiser (P. App.) is a smart first step.
In a fast-changing housing landscape, the knowledge and protection that come from a comprehensive, professional appraisal are more important than ever.
Visit ProfessionalAppraisers.ca to find a qualified expert near you.
