Knight Frank is one of South Africa’s leading commercial and industrial property consultant firms. Led by a team of dynamic and passionate property specialists, the company has earned itself a trusted reputation within the industry and operates two independent service lines: valuations and brokerage. The question, “Why use a registered valuer?” is often asked. Property as an asset class represents a substantial capital investment which requires not only quantifying, but prudent management. Consequently, there are many different reasons why a professional valuation of immovable property is required. The following are some examples:
• Buying or selling a property  requires an assessment of the  probable price that can be  achieved after negotiation  between two informed parties to  sale.
• The valuation of property for  loan security purposes as well as  subsequent updates through  periods of market fluctuations  during the mortgage lifecycle.
• Estate or succession planning  commonly requires valuation of  property to determine the value  of assets at date of recognition  and distribution.
• The determination of capital  gains tax on property for  individuals, companies and  trusts.
• Valuations for financial 
 reporting purposes within the  IFRS regulatory framework.
• Portfolio valuations for Real  Estate Investment Trusts in  terms of the JSE Regulations
• Rental valuations for let-ups and  lease reviews. This is also  relevant to developers in  assisting with financial models  and viability studies.
• Valuations for Expropriation  and Land Reform in accordance  with statutory provisions and  principles of Case Law.
• Valuations of specialized private  and public service properties,  including National Key Points,  airports, mining and oil  industry assets and harbour  zones.
• Valuations of rights other than  freehold, including registered  leasehold interests, building  accretion value and servitudes. Consequently, many individuals, companies, financial institutions, as well as government entities rely on property valuations to make informed decisions involving immovable property. 
To ensure that a professional and independent opinion is obtained on a property’s value, it is essential to engage the services of a registered, qualified valuer with sufficient depth of experience in the field in which the valuation is required.  Property values may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, including economic factors; the impact of infrastructure changes; accessibility to and from market destinations; the interplay between traffic congestion and decentralisation and in particular the strength and duration of commercial lease covenants. A valuer must be up to date with research into market indicators such as land values, rentals, operating cost inputs, building costs and yields and capitalization rates. All of this necessitates constant access to brokers, property reports and transaction data in order to motivate a final opinion on value. 

The Valuer’s toolkit is varied and includes online access to the Deeds Registry and Surveyor General; the use of GIS applications and access to spatial planning data; competencies in the use of Discounted Cashflow software. Above all, the Valuer has a responsibility to the client to demonstrate a complete understanding of the market in which the valuation is being undertaken and of the property itself. Part of a global network, Knight Frank launched its Valuation and Advisory offices in Cape Town and Durban in 2011 and in Johannesburg during 2013. The company complies with international standards of valuation reporting, against which regular internal audits are carried out across a wide range of property advisory services.

 The valuation team is made up of chartered surveyors, professional and associated valuers as well as candidate valuer interns, all registered with the SA Council for the Property Valuers Profession and variously affiliated to the SA Institute of Valuers and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.  Knight Frank is committed to developing long-term relationships that contribute toward the achievement of personal and business goals for its clients.