1The quick rule
If a digital tool doesn't tell you where the figure comes from, how large the sample is, and how uncertain the result is, don't use it to make big decisions. It can give you a hint, not a truth.
The minimum transparency is this: source, date, area, range, confidence, and an explicit warning that the estimate does not replace a catastral appraisal or a certified commercial appraisal.
2Warning signs
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| It asks for personal data before showing you the value | Name, cédula, and phone number can turn the query into a sales lead. It isn't always fraud, but you should know what you'll get in return. |
| It gives a single number with no range | A property doesn't have one single, perfect value. A good estimator shows uncertainty, range, and confidence. |
| It says "official appraisal" with no appraiser or authority behind it | A certified commercial appraisal requires an appraiser registered with the RAA. The official catastral appraisal comes from the cadastral authority. |
| It doesn't explain its sources | Listed asking prices, registered sales, and catastro don't carry the same weight. If the source isn't shown, the number can't be audited. |
| It has an interest in buying your home | If whoever estimates the value also buys, finances, or brokers the deal, the figure may be influenced by the business that follows. |
3What actually is a good sign
A good online appraisal doesn't try to look more precise than it is. It helps you understand the reasonable range and lets you verify the figure:
- It shows a range, not just a single closed figure.
- It explains whether it uses asking prices, registered sales, catastro, or a mix of sources.
- It lets you compare neighborhood and city without asking for your cédula before showing information.
- It separates market guidance, catastral appraisal, and certified commercial appraisal.
- It tells you when the figure is a catastral reference due to insufficient market signal.
4What it does not replace
A digital estimate does not replace the official catastral appraisal or the certified commercial appraisal. The catastral one is assigned by the competent authority and serves as the basis for property tax. The commercial one is done by an appraiser registered with the RAA and is used for credit, purchase and sale, inheritances, and expert reports.
Use Terraes to orient yourself, compare areas, and surface questions. For formal procedures, request the appropriate document: a catastral certificate, a review with the cadastral operator, or a signed commercial appraisal.
5Frequently asked questions
Is an online appraisal reliable?
It can be useful as guidance if it shows sources, range, coverage, and warnings. It is not reliable if it promises absolute precision, hides its methodology, or uses the value as bait to capture data.
Can an appraisal simulator replace a commercial appraisal?
No. A certified commercial appraisal is performed by an appraiser registered with the Registro Abierto de Avaluadores and must include a method, date, supporting documents, and a professional signature.
Is an online appraisal useful for disputing property tax?
It works as context, not as a formal decision. To file a dispute you must review the cadastral information and submit it to the competent operator with supporting documents for the property.
Why does Terraes show a range?
Because a range acknowledges uncertainty: condition, floor, view, finishes, and legal status can move the value. A single number with no range looks more exact than it really is.
Do I have to provide my cédula to check a value?
Not for market guidance. There may be formal procedures that do require identification, but checking a value map should not demand a cédula before showing basic information.
Official sources consulted: Registro Abierto de Avaluadores, Law 1673 of 2013 and IGAC appraisal FAQ.