The Straight Goods on Certified Appraisers in Ontario

Let's Get One Thing Straight: My Number vs. Their Number

As a realtor, I can tell you what I think your house will sell for. I'll look at the market, check out your competition, and give you a number designed to get your home sold for the best price. It's a strategic opinion. A marketing number.

An appraiser’s number is different. It’s a fact.

Or at least, it’s as close to a fact as you can get in real estate. It's a legally-defensible, completely unbiased opinion of value. And in certain situations, that's the only number that matters.

Knowing the difference is key. Because when the stakes are high, a ballpark figure just won't cut it.

So, When Do You Call in the Big Guns?

I've seen it a hundred times. People think they need an appraiser to sell their house. You usually don't. You call in the pros for life's messy, complicated, and official moments.

Let me paint you a picture.

You're settling a parent's estate. The will says to split the assets, including the family home, and you need a concrete value as of a specific date. That’s a job for an appraiser.

Or maybe you’re going through a separation. The tension is already high. You need a neutral third party to provide a fair home value that everyone can agree on without argument. You absolutely need one of the certified appraisers in Ontario

for that.

The bank calls for one when you're refinancing. The tax man might require one if you’re figuring out capital gains on an investment property. These are moments where the number needs to be rock-solid and impartial.

Don't Get Confused by the Titles

Look, the world of appraisals has its own language, but here's all you really need to know. The only name that matters in Canada is the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC).

These are the folks who make sure appraisers are properly trained, insured, and follow a strict code of ethics. When you hire someone with an AIC designation, you know you're getting a real professional.

You’ll see two main letters after their names:

• CRA: This person is a specialist in residential properties. Your house, your condo. For 99% of homeowners, this is who you’re looking for.

• AACI™: These folks can do it all—residential, commercial, farms, you name it.

That’s it. Just look for those letters and that AIC affiliation, and you know you’re on the right track.

How to Actually Find One (The No-Headache Way)

Forget randomly Googling. You’ll just get a confusing list of ads.

The first and best place to go is the AIC website. They have a directory. You punch in your town, and it gives you a list of certified pros nearby. Simple. Clean. No guesswork.

Your next best bet? Ask your lawyer or your mortgage broker. They use appraisers all the time. They know who is good, who is fast, and who is a pain to deal with. That kind of inside scoop is priceless.

When you call them, just be direct. Tell them what you need the appraisal for and ask them what it’ll cost and how long it’ll take. Expect to pay somewhere in the $400 to $700 range in 2025 for a standard home. If your property is unique or complex, it might be more.

What you get for that money is peace of mind. You get a detailed report that explains exactly how they arrived at that final number. It’s your proof. Your backup. Your undisputed fact in a world of opinions.

So when the situation calls for it, don't settle for a guess. Make the call and get a real property valuation expert on your side. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make when the pressure is on.