Why the future of valuation is tech-smart, talent-focused and human-led

We are on the cusp of the most transformative era in valuation. Driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the intersection of data, AI and automation is reshaping how industries operate. For real estate valuation, this moment presents not a threat, but an opportunity to reinvent. The first three industrial revolutions mechanised, electrified and digitised production. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution builds on this legacy, introducing technologies like the Internet of Things, robotic process automation, machine learning, wearable devices, and cyber-physical systems. These innovations are already disrupting industries globally and valuations are no exception.

“As valuers, we’re no longer just forming a view on value, we’re now positioned to interpret risk, predict market movement, and help our clients make more informed, data-led decisions,” says Matthew Singleton, Head of Lending & Advisory at JLL Australia. “The future of our profession is where human property intelligence blends with machine learning and data science.”

Where valuation was once about a singular opinion, today’s clients expect more - portfolio insights, real-time risk assessment, predictive analytics and tailored advice. This shift requires valuation firms to evolve from traditional service providers into technology-enabled advisors. Standardised reports are no longer enough. The differentiator will be how we use data, how we connect insight to impact, and how quickly we can deliver.

At JLL, we’re already delivering change through an evolving suite of digital products:

• JLL Live: Our on-demand, four-hour full inspection valuation solution.
  
  
• Virtual Inspection Valuations: A contactless, secure digital platform.
  
  
• Self-booking tools with real-time valuer availability.
  
  
• Live chat functionality for immediate engagement.
  
  
• Property Intelligence Reports: Uses IP of local valuers (Human Property Intelligence) blended with state of the art data analytics and risk insights (Digital & Artificial Property Intelligence) to empower better decisioning.
  
  
• ESG Sustainability Risk Analysis: Analyse sustainability risk performance to enhance and optimise future values.
  
  
• Portfolio Risk Analytics: Risk insights identifying price risk, liquidity risk and market value at risk.
  
  
• Physical/Climate risk scores: hazard event analytics to meet risk-based exposure reporting requirements.
   

These innovations are part of a broader shift: from commoditised, manual workflows to scalable, tech-powered ecosystems that provides intelligence to enable clients to make quicker, more informed decisioning.

Despite this tech evolution, the valuer and human oversight remains at the heart of the profession. “Technology is not here to replace valuers, but to elevate their contribution,” Singleton emphasises. “The true value lies in the blend, using AI and data to support, not supplant, expert human judgement.”

The next generation of valuation professionals will be insight analysts, not just data gatherers. We’ll see growing demand for interdisciplinary skills: data analytics, horizon scanning, macroeconomic understanding, and financial modelling. Our industry must prepare now - by investing in people, education and development pathways.

To thrive in this current market, valuers must be proactive:

• Embrace change as a constant, not a threat.
  
  
• Innovate relentlessly, creating products clients don’t yet know they need.
  
  
• Foster talent that is entrepreneurial, curious and digitally fluent.
  
  
• Disrupt from within, challenging legacy business models with bold thinking.
  
  
• Collaborate with clients, proptech partners and peers to shape new solutions.
   

As Rupert Murdoch aptly put it, “The future won’t be about big beating small, but the fast beating the slow.” Agility, not scale, will determine success.

We are in control of our future. By embracing technology as a strategic partner, investing in talent, and leading the charge in innovation, we can reshape the role of valuation in the property ecosystem.

The next decade will belong to firms who evolve - from service providers to strategic advisors. From passive reporters to data-driven interpreters. And most importantly, from followers to leaders.

Because the future of valuation isn’t just digital, it’s tech-smart, talent-focused and human-led.