Yes, you can ask another appraiser to review an appraisal that already exists. In Costa Rica this is often called a second opinion or technical review (revisión técnica): an independent professional analyzes a colleague’s report, checks whether the data, the method and the math actually support the value it reached, and explains where they agree and where they don’t. It is not a way to “beat” the other appraiser, and it does not guarantee a different number. Its purpose is to help you understand the figure in front of you and make your decision with better information.
It is especially useful if you are buying from abroad or reading a Spanish-language report built on unfamiliar local practices. This guide covers when a review makes sense, what gets checked, what to expect and how to prepare.
What Is an Appraisal Review?
An appraisal is a professional opinion of value, backed by data and a method. Two competent appraisers can reach different numbers for the same property because they pick different comparables, read the condition of the building differently or apply a different valuation approach. A reasonable gap between two appraisals is normal; a large or hard-to-explain gap is what deserves a review.
A technical review answers specific questions:
- Does the report value the right property, with the right areas?
- Do the purpose and the effective date of value match what you need?
- Are the comparables truly comparable?
- Is the chosen method suitable for this type of property?
- Do the calculations and adjustments lead logically to the final value?
The outcome may confirm the original appraisal, point out items that should be clarified, or conclude that the value calls for a new study.
When Does a Second Opinion Make Sense?
These are the most common situations in which people contact us about an appraisal prepared by another valuer:
- Divorce or division of marital property. The other party presents an appraisal of the house and the value looks too high or too low to you.
- Inheritance and probate. One heir orders an appraisal and the others want to know whether the value is reasonable before dividing or selling. See also our inheritance appraisals service.
- Private purchases and sales. The seller shows you an appraisal they ordered themselves to justify the asking price, or you receive an offer supported by a report. This matters even more if you are buying without a bank loan, because no bank appraisal will be part of the process.
- Partners or co-owners who are splitting up or buying each other out.
- Court cases. Your attorney wants to know whether an expert report filed by the other side has weak points before deciding how to respond.
- Your own earlier appraisal. You ordered it some time ago and now have doubts about the result, or you need to know whether it still works for a new purpose.
If the appraisal is the one a bank ordered for a loan, or the value your municipality assigned for the property tax, the path is different: the bank applies its own policies, and the municipal valuation has its own appeal procedure under article 19 of Costa Rica’s Property Tax Law (Ley 7509 de Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles); we explain it in our guide on how to appeal a municipal property valuation. A technical review can help you understand those values, but it does not replace those procedures.
What an Appraiser Checks in a Colleague’s Report
Every case is different, but a serious review usually covers these points.
Purpose, Effective Date and Type of Value
An appraisal prepared for insurance does not answer the same question as one prepared for a sale. The replacement cost of a building is not the same as its market value, and an appraisal for an estate may need the value as of a past date. The first step is to confirm that the report answers the question you actually need answered.
Property Identification
The report is checked against the cadastral survey map (plano catastrado) and the National Registry information: property number, land area, boundaries and location. A mistake in the area or in the identification of the property changes the entire result.
Building Areas and Condition
The reviewer looks at the built areas, materials, age and condition assigned in the report. This is where major differences often show up: a house described as “in good condition” that actually has damage, or recent improvements the report did not take into account.
Comparables and Adjustments
Under the sales comparison approach, the value depends on the properties used for comparison. The review checks whether those comparables are in the same or an equivalent area, of the same type and size, recent, and whether the adjustments for differences (location, area, road frontage, topography, finishes) are explained and make sense.
Valuation Method
There are three main approaches: sales comparison, cost and income. To understand how they differ, see our guide to valuation approaches for real estate in Costa Rica. The review verifies that the chosen approach fits the type of property and that, when more than one is used, the reconciliation between them is justified.
Assumptions, Limitations and Signature
Every appraisal works with assumptions: no hidden liens, zoning that allows a certain use, legal access. The review checks that they are stated and don’t decisively drive the value without explanation. It also confirms that the report is signed and states who issued it and their professional license; our guide to appraisers in Costa Rica explains how to verify a professional’s credentials.
Desk Review or a New Appraisal with a Site Visit?
It depends on the case. Some questions can be answered by reviewing the report and its attachments; others can only be answered by visiting the property, for example when the dispute is about the condition of the building or the actual area. The scope affects both the timeline and the fee, so we define it with you once we have seen the report and know what you need it for. Tell us about your case and we will let you know which type of work makes sense.
Reviewing Is Not Discrediting
A second opinion is a technical opinion about a document, not a judgment of the person who signed it. The Code of Professional Ethics of the CFIA (the Federated Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) asks its members to treat one another with respect, loyalty and consideration (article 16), to be objective, loyal and truthful in their reports (article 9), and to express professional opinions only when they rest on adequate knowledge of the facts, sufficient technical competence and sincere conviction, and are not made maliciously (article 11). That is why, in a technical review:
- We point to verifiable facts, not adjectives.
- We explain why a figure or an adjustment does not hold up and how it affects the value.
- We acknowledge what the original report does well.
- If the review confirms the original appraisal, we tell you so, even if that is not what you hoped to hear.
- If the reviewing appraiser has any personal interest related to the case, they must state it clearly, as article 11 also requires.
What to Expect, and What Not to Expect
What a technical review can give you:
- A clear understanding of where the original value comes from.
- Whether there are errors in the data, the areas or the calculations.
- Technical arguments to discuss with the other party, with your attorney or with whoever ordered the appraisal.
What you should not expect:
- That the other party, an institution or a judge will change their position because you have a second opinion. That does not depend on the appraiser.
- Legal advice. How to use the report in a negotiation or in court is something you decide with your attorney or notary.
- A “made-to-order” value. The reviewing appraiser is also responsible for their professional opinion and must be objective.
If the matter is in court, your attorney will know when and how it makes sense to submit a technical report for that type of proceeding. Learn how we handle these cases on our judicial appraisals page.
How to Prepare: Documents to Have on Hand
To quote and carry out the review, it helps to have:
- A complete copy of the appraisal, with attachments, photos and calculations (not just the page with the final value).
- The cadastral survey map and the Registry information for the property.
- What you need the review for: divorce, inheritance, purchase, negotiation between partners, court case or something else.
- Recent photos of the property, if you have them, and details of any improvements or damage after the appraisal date.
- Your deadline for the result.
If you are outside Costa Rica, all of this can be sent by email or WhatsApp. The information you share with us is handled confidentially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ethical for one appraiser to review another’s work? Yes, as long as the review is objective, fact-based and respectful toward the colleague. What the CFIA Code of Ethics rejects is an unfounded or malicious opinion, not a technical review.
Do I need permission from the appraiser who did the first report? For the review, it is enough that you have a copy of the report, because you ordered it or because it was given to you in your case. We analyze that document and issue our own opinion; we do not reuse it as our own work. If the report is part of a court case, carries confidentiality conditions, or you are unsure whether you may share it, check with your attorney first.
Does the second opinion replace the original appraisal? No. It is an additional technical analysis. If the review concludes that the value needs a new study, a full appraisal can be done, with its own scope and fee.
How much does a technical review cost? It depends on the type of property, how complex the report is and whether a site visit is needed. Our appraisals start from approximately USD 300 (₡150,000); the final price of a review or a new appraisal is set in the quote.
How long does it take? You receive the quote in less than 24 hours. The timeline for the work depends on the scope and is stated in the quote.
Do you do reviews anywhere in Costa Rica? Yes. We work from Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat and cover all 7 provinces. If you also need a full appraisal of the property, see our real estate appraisals service.
Conclusion
Doubting an appraisal done by another appraiser is common, especially when the other side of a divorce, an inheritance or a negotiation ordered it. A technical review is not about discrediting anyone: it helps you understand the value, spot errors if there are any and decide with solid arguments.
Díaz Peritajes is a firm of property appraisers founded by Ing. José Alberto Díaz Vidaurre, a CFIA member since 1982 (license ICO-3075). Send us the appraisal you want reviewed and we will reply with a quote in less than 24 hours. Message us on WhatsApp at +506 7272-7270.