Automatic Valuation Models
Automatic Valuation Models (AVMs) are specialized computer programs designed to provide fast, accurate estimation of property value. AVMs use a wide range of data sources and data systems to recognize trends and market changes. They can determine a propertys estimated market value more accurately than a human appraiser at a fraction of the cost.
AVMs have been an invaluable tool to the real estate industry since their development in the 1980s. For example, lenders use AVMs to determine the value of a home or commercial building before making a loan decision. A lender must be sure that the asset is worth more or equal to the loan amount, otherwise they could face major financial losses. Therefore, banks, mortgage companies, and other lenders turn to AVMs to provide a fast, cost-effective solution to their valuation needs.
In addition to lenders, AVMs are used by real estate investors, appraisers, and other professionals to assess properties prior to making an investment or buying decisions. The use of AVMs allows for quick assessment of properties, making it easier to compare multiple properties and make the best purchase decision.
AVMs are also used for insurance purposes, to determine tax assessments, and for other litigation matters. AVMs provide a reliable, objective, and consistent way to value a property when a human appraisal may not be the best option.
AVMs come in two basic flavors: desktop and integrated. Desktop versions are programs that are installed on an individual computer and are designed to generate a single-property value estimate. Integrated systems can be used to provide valuation results for multiple properties at once.
Desktop AVMs typically use multiple sources of data, including house, census, and tax records as well as proprietary or public data sources. They also use sophisticated algorithms to interpret the data and generate an approximate value. Integrated AVMs are typically hosted on a server and offer enhanced data, more detailed reports, and support for large volumes of data.
No matter which type of AVM you choose, the process can be broken down into the following steps:
1. Data collection – The AVM collects data from a variety of sources, including real estate records, urban and demographic information, tax information, and more.
2. Data normalization – The AVM standardizes the data to ensure accuracy and consistency.
3. Algorithmic modeling – The AVM uses a variety of proprietary algorithms and models to interpret the data and generate a value estimate.
4. Final report – The AVM generates a detailed report that includes the estimated value of the property, the methodology used to determine the value, and any other relevant data.
AVMs provide an accurate, inexpensive way to assess the value of a property. By using a range of data sources, sophisticated algorithms, and predictive models, AVMs can provide a quick, reliable valuation of any property.