Online valuation, estate agent or surveyor: which valuation do you need?

"What is my home worth?" There are three kinds of answers, each with a different purpose.

1. Online valuation

An online valuation uses an automated valuation model (AVM) that compares your home with recent sale and asking prices of similar properties nearby. You enter the address and key features and immediately get a price range.

• Good for: fast, free and a solid first indication.
• Limits: the model cannot see your home. Finish, light, views, recent renovations or defects are invisible to it, which is why you get a range rather than an exact figure.

2. Appraisal by an estate agent

A licensed Belgian estate agent (BIV/IPI) visits your home and knows what has recently sold nearby.

• Good for: a realistic sale price and advice on the asking price.
• Cost: usually free and without obligation.

3. A surveyor's report

A certified property surveyor writes a detailed, reasoned report, needed in formal situations such as an inheritance, a gift, a divorce or a mortgage.

• Good for: an objective, defensible value.
• Cost: paid, depending on the property and the expert.

Which one should you choose?

• Just curious or exploring: online valuation.
• Planning to sell soon: estate agent on site.
• Inheritance, gift or divorce: surveyor.
• Want to understand the neighbourhood: detailed online report with local prices.

Start with an online valuation to get an idea. If you plan to sell, have the value assessed on site before setting an asking price. On EstimateHome.be you can then ask a licensed local agent to visit, only if you tick that option yourself.

Last updated: October 2026.