In the real estate market, a trustworthy valuation is essential for making safe decisions, whether you are selling, buying, or investing. However, allowing mediators to carry out valuations of the properties they are trying to sell is still a very common practice.
If the person valuing the property is also the one intending to sell it, an inevitable question arises: who is the valuation really for? The client, or to facilitate the mediator’s own sale? This conflict of interest compromises the impartiality of the process and puts at risk the security of those making decisions based on that data.
Valuations by Agents Are Illegal
Beyond being ethically and professionally questionable, this practice is also illegal. According to paragraph d) of no. 2, article 17 of Law no. 15/2013, of February 8, which regulates real estate mediation in Portugal, mediation companies are expressly prohibited from:
- Conducting valuations of properties under mediation;
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Valuing properties belonging to companies with which they maintain group or control relationships, or that operate under the same commercial brand.
Simply put, agents cannot value properties they may later mediate, otherwise they are breaking the law. The legislation exists to protect clients and ensure that valuations reflect the true market value, free from conflicts of interest.
The Commitment of JC Real Estate
At JC we follow a simple, non-negotiable principle: those who value a property do not sell it.
This means that our valuations are carried out by independent professionals, with no interest in influencing the selling price or earning commissions from the transaction. Those who advise do not receive financial incentives tied to the sale. The goal is clear: reliable information and safe decisions for the client.
The security of an impartial valuation is the first step toward a successful transaction, without surprises or conflicts of interest. If you want to know the true value of your property, trust those who work independently and transparently. Trust JC.