What You Need to Know About Remote Valuations in 2025

As property technology advances, desk-based valuations (DBVs) have become more widely used by banks, mortgage lenders, and some investors — particularly in areas with fast-moving markets like Preston, Blackpool, and the Fylde Coast.

These desktop assessments can be completed quickly without visiting the property — using online data, market comparables, and planning records — but speed often comes at the cost of accuracy and context.

At Garside Waddingham, we’ve seen a growing number of buyers and property professionals ask: are desk-based valuations enough in today’s market? Here's our answer.

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What Is a Desk-Based Valuation?

A DBV (also known as a desktop valuation) is a type of property assessment carried out remotely. It typically uses:

  • Previous sale history
  • Land Registry data
  • EPCs and floorplans
  • Online comparables
  • Planning portals and public records
While this might give a broad overview of value, it tells nothing about the property's condition, build quality, or issues that could affect saleability — especially in varied housing stock like Victorian terraces in Preston or older coastal properties in Lytham St Annes.

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Why Are They Used?

  • Quicker turnaround for lenders and remortgages
  • Lower upfront cost
  • No access needed — useful in tenanted or vacant properties
  • Suitable for low-risk lending or portfolio assessments
They’re particularly common in the buy-to-let space or for newer builds where condition is assumed to be uniform.

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But Are They Reliable?

In short: they have limitations.

  • No way to assess internal condition or structural defects
  • High risk of overlooking damp, unauthorised works, or localised subsidence
  • Prone to valuation inaccuracies in non-standard or older buildings
  • No visual confirmation of changes, extensions, or alterations
For properties across Blackpool, Poulton, or rural Fylde — where each property is often unique — relying solely on a desk-based assessment can be risky.

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When You Shouldn’t Rely on a DBV Alone

  • Older properties with unknown history
  • Homes with visible wear, extensions, or alterations
  • Leasehold flats or properties in mixed-use buildings
  • Rural properties or coastal homes with weathering risk
  • When investing significant capital — particularly with private finance

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Our Advice as Local RICS Surveyors

At Garside Waddingham, we always recommend pairing a DBV with a Level 2 or Level 3 RICS survey where possible. This gives you not just a valuation, but a clear view of:

  • Condition
  • Compliance
  • Potential future costs
  • Legal considerations
We offer detailed surveys across Preston, Blackpool, and the Fylde Coast, tailored to local market conditions — not just a postcode average.

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Book a Professional Survey With Confidence

Thinking about buying or investing? Don’t cut corners with a desktop estimate. Our team of RICS-accredited surveyors will give you a clear, accurate picture — so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

📞 Contact us today to discuss your next move or arrange a physical survey anywhere across the Fylde Coast region.

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