Unlocking Lending Success: The case for early valuer involvement

In the fast-moving world of secured lending, timing is everything.  Lenders and brokers are under constant pressure to deliver swift results for their clients – often within challenging timeframes.

Whilst speed is essential, cutting corners during the property valuation stage, especially for complex assets, can lead to inaccurate assessments, unnecessary risk, and even deal failure.

This is where early engagement with a RICS Registered Valuer is vital, as Sus López-García, Partner in the Valuation team, explains.

Valuation – more than just a number

For banks and their credit teams, a well-prepared valuation report forms the foundation of lending decisions.

But valuation is not just about arriving at a number. It’s about understanding the asset in context: the market, the location, the risks, and future potential are just some of the factors.

RICS Registered Valuers bring experience, independence, and specialist insight to ensure that valuations are robust, rigorous and tailored to the complexities of the asset.

This is particularly vital for complex assets such as large portfolios, specialist industrial facilities, or mixed-use schemes, where issues like planning, environmental risk, market trends, and EPCs must all be factored in.

Rushed valuations risk overlooking these important elements, leading to inaccuracies, under / over valuation, and exposing lenders to unnecessary risk.

For example, if a broker or bank knows a loan expiry is approaching, involving a valuer at that stage allows time for thoughtful preparation, reducing delays later on.

Stronger lending partnerships

Not only this, there are wider benefits to be reaped too. Early valuer involvement not only improves accuracy and speed but strengthens relationships across all parties.

Communication between lender, broker and valuer ensures alignment on expectations, timescales, and requirements. Benefits include:

• Reduced risk – more accurate and informed valuations
• Faster turnaround – fewer delays and last-minute issues
• Improved client satisfaction – smoother lending experience
• Better decision-making – confidence backed by reliable data

A smarter way to lend

While speed is crucial in lending, early engagement with an RICS Registered Valuer is a smart investment. It ensures valuations are thorough, risks are managed and clients receive a seamless experience.

Vail Williams’ team of expert RICS Registered Valuers based in Woking and across the wider UK, combine local market insight with professional excellence to support confident lending decisions. Start the conversation early for better outcomes all round.