Lamin got two valuations on the same warehouse, six weeks apart. The numbers were nearly 15 percent apart. He assumed one of them was simply wrong.
A gap between two valuations doesn’t automatically mean either one is incorrect. Valuation involves professional judgment, and reasonable valuers can land in different places using different assumptions.
That said, a gap this size is worth investigating rather than shrugging off. A small variance is normal. A wide one usually points to something specific that’s worth understanding before you rely on either number.
Common Reasons Two Valuations Disagree
- Different comparable sales used, especially in a market with few recent transactions
- One valuer weighting location or condition more heavily than the other
- A gap in time between the two visits, even a few weeks can shift local pricing
- Different valuation methods applied for the same property type
A Common Mistake
Assuming the higher number is always the “right” one, especially when it’s the number you were hoping for. A valuation isn’t a negotiation tactic. It’s an independent professional opinion, and picking whichever number suits you undermines the whole point of getting one.
What to Do Instead
Ask both valuers to explain their reasoning, specifically which comparables they used and why. Often the gap makes sense once you see the assumptions behind each number. If it still doesn’t add up, a third independent opinion settles it faster than arguing over the first two.
Lamin asked both valuers for their comparable sales list. One had used a property from a very different part of town. Once that was corrected, the numbers moved much closer together.
He didn’t need a third opinion in the end. He just needed to ask the right question of the two he already had.
How JS Morlu Gambia Can Help
When valuation reports don’t align, JS Morlu Gambia can review the underlying comparables and assumptions behind each report to help you understand where the difference comes from. Our property valuation work is grounded in current market evidence, giving you a clearer basis for financing, sale, or insurance decisions when two professional opinions don’t immediately agree.